Navigating public benefit programs is often frustrating, due to the different eligibility rules and complex application processes.  Understanding more about benefit programs (including topics such as who can qualify and how to solve problems) helps case managers and other advocates provide more effective and targeted assistance to people in need.  The focus of the Making the Connection training programs is to improve advocacy for the people served through increased knowledge of these complex programs.  As a compliment to the training programs, the Federation has created a “Making the Connection Illinois” website (www.mtcil.org) that provides information, guidance, forms, etc. that are generally useful to anyone these complex systems.  The site also contains special information made available to those who have completed the training.

Participants learn to understand the basic rules of who qualifies for a specific benefit, how to complete the applications, how to navigate the application process, and how to troubleshoot when problems arise.