Benefits in Action: Volunteers

By Eric Gonzalez ~

What are you looking to get out of life? That is often a loaded question, especially given the last 15 months of the pandemic. Many are reevaluating their priorities and reassessing their ambitions now that the pandemic is receding. For some, this means a greater emphasis on helping others now that the deficiencies of our social safety net have been exposed. Are you one of those individuals who is looking for a great opportunity to help others? If so, look no further than Benefits in Action. We offer numerous opportunities to help others while connecting with others in the community. This article will detail one of those opportunities.

We are a health benefit navigation and application assistance site. This means that we help individuals navigate the world of health benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, Connect 4 Health Colorado, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by educating them about the benefits for which they may be eligible, applying for those benefits, and making sure that individuals understand and are able to use their benefits. We also conduct outreach related to these programs, meaning we travel to different locations to present educational sessions about them. All these services allow low-income and other Coloradoans to access, understand, and use health benefits more effectively.

So, what is it like to work as a volunteer navigator? Being a volunteer health benefit navigator involves communicating with a variety of different individuals every time you volunteer. You educate and inform others about health benefits and serve as a pillar of support for individuals who are struggling with the necessities of life. The work is detail-oriented, requires active listening, and can at times be arduous, but it is always rewarding. Knowing that you are making a positive contribution to someone’s life provides meaning and purpose that may otherwise be elusive. And signing up to become a volunteer is very easy. After you apply and interview for the position, all you need to do is pass a background check and a few quick training sessions. Once you are done training, you can work remotely or in person. 

Volunteer navigation is very important. Many individuals do not even know of the benefits for which they may be eligible or have misguided beliefs about the benefit system perpetuated by popular culture. Even those who are aware of their eligibility for benefits often struggle with the online portals for those benefits or have a tough time communicating with county human services departments. Others struggle to collect the supporting documents needed as part of the typical application. This results in a significant gap between those who are eligible for benefits and those who are enrolled in those benefits. These individuals need your help.

Do you want to become a volunteer health benefit navigator? If so, contact BIA for more information on our navigations services, including how to become a volunteer. You can reach us at 720-221-8354 or by email at info@benefitsinaction.org. We look forward to hearing from you. Until next time, happy summer.