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Summit County NEXT Program Application

NEXT is an opportunity for Summit County residents to participate in Benefit Bridge: a program addressing the needs of working individuals who are impacted by the “benefits cliff.”

The benefits cliff effect happens when public assistance benefits are reduced or lost due to an increase in household income. Losing benefits such as SNAP (food assistance) or publicly funded childcare may require difficult adjustments that this program can help you overcome.

Benefit Bridge serves its members by helping with:

  • Monetary Incentives
  • Job Retention and Advancement
  • Work Supports
  • Peer Mentoring
  • Financial Literacy

Benefit Bridge is not an entitlement program. Instead, it is designed to provide individualized benefits and services based on the member’s needs. The program is an 18-month commitment.

 Complete the following application if you would like to be selected to join Benefit Bridge. Our team will contact you within 1-2 weeks of submission with more details and to discuss enrollment.

Summit County NEXT (Benefit Bridge) is offered by the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services, under Executive Ilene Shapiro. It is in conjunction with lead program partners: United Labor Agency and Asian Services in Action. Certain eligibility factors must be met to be selected. Members need to maintain their employment and satisfy ongoing program requirements to stay enrolled. Information reported will be used to update existing SCDJFS benefits cases. All money and income in the household must be reported to determine program eligibility.