Littleton, Colorado Dec 24, 2009 Colorado residents can now begin the process of completing applications for assistance for programs such as LEAP, SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, CHP+, SSI — online. The service is provided free of charge by Colorado software company Efficient Forms.

The ability to start these applications online has been a stated priority of State leaders.  Officials have stressed they to want to help improve access these assistance programs. "Allowing potential and existing clients the ability to check for eligibility and apply for benefits is a priority for the CBMS team and the Governor’s Office of Information Technology." (Mike Locatis Coloado State CIO).

Ashamed that Colorado is 51st in eligible participation of the SNAP (formerly referred to as the food stamps program), Efficient Forms decided to do its part to help by providing its Seamless Compassion automated applications solution free for individual users. Through its web site www.seamlesscompassion.org  Colorado citizens who wish to complete applications for assistance on line can easily complete the 27+ page application for assistance.

Although the application for assistance can be completed online, citizens still must visit their county’s office to submit their printed application.  Efficient Forms’s CEO thinks this is huge step forward, “This process transforms a multiple-trip, multipe-hour process into one simple and fast visit.”

The State reportedly spent $2 million and approx nine months to launch phase one of the new Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK) which allows people to screen for eligibility but stops short of helping eligible citizens with completing the 27 page application for assistance.  The State is planning to launch a complete solution in summer 2010.

Just over one month ago, Efficient Forms released an online version of Colorado's Low Income Energy Assistance Program Application (LEAP).  The solution, which steps citizens through a simple, easy-to-use online interview has helped hundredes of Colorado citizens already. Seeing the success of the LEAP product, Efficient Forms has released the full application package.

David Kenney, CEO of Efficient Forms commented, “Hopefully by having the applications completed online, residents will be able to show up to county, prepared with completed application in hand and all required documentation, which may save them multiple trips to county offices."

Many Colorado residents do not realize they may be eligible for Assistance - especially those who have never considered accepting public assistance. However, with the access and ease provided by an online application, residents are encouraged to check to see if they may be eligible.

Tracey Stewart, Economic Self-Sufficiency Project Coordinator at Denver-based Colorado Center on Law and Policy applauds this privately funded outreach effort: "If, as we have discovered, paperwork is the biggest obstacle to families receiving necessary financial assistance for basic needs, then the online application process is a first step to keeping families fed, warm and housed this winter. Being in warm, safe, stable housing is fundamental to moving out of financial crisis and towards economic self-sufficiency. A policy that supports an easier application process is a policy that supports family economic security in Colorado."

Efficient Forms specializes in breaking complex paperwork down into a simple online process. The company has seen great success across the United States, helping families apply for the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and countless more programs. Kenney feels offering this service for free is a great way for his employees to help out this holiday season. "Last year our employees gathered food for a local food bank. This year we really wanted to offer a service that could leverage the collective talent of our team."

The online application is not sponsored by the State of Colorado or any County or any non profit entity, but uses the exact forms a resident would receive if he or she visited a local outreach offices. At the end of the online interview, the family is asked to print the application and bring in the completed application with required supporting documentation to their local offices.

The online application for assistance can be found at www.seamlesscompassion.org
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Efficient Forms: Efficient Forms, LLC, creator of benefits-application product Seamless Compassion, specializes in business forms and data collection automation solutions. The company uses proprietary patent-pending technology that introduces a new approach to data collection, forms-completion and process workflow. With customers in many industries including Insurance, Financial Services, Human Resources and Compliance; Efficient Forms' Web-based product suite provides timely, economical solutions for businesses. For more information visit www.efficientforms.com.