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OPA News Release: [04/29/2009]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052
Release Number: 09-0460-NAT
GovBenefits.gov expands outreach to meet increased public need
for information about government assistance and benefit programs
Official U.S. benefits Web site marks 7th anniversary by launching Twitter account
WASHINGTON — GovBenefits.gov, a collaborative effort of 17 federal agencies with content on more than 1,000 benefits and assistance programs, today is launching a Twitter account to provide continuous updates about the Web site's resources. In this time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever to meet citizen demand for information about available benefits.
"GovBenefits.gov's mission is to provide citizens with increasingly improved access to information about government benefits programs," said Ed Hugler, the U.S. Department of Labor's acting assistant secretary for administration and management. "Since the Web site's launch in 2002, millions of people have visited the site and received information about benefits for which they may be eligible based on their individual circumstances and needs. Our goal is to make the site as far-reaching and useful as possible."
GovBenefits.gov's Twitter messages will address new site content, developments in government benefit programs, tips on how to identify programs tailored to individual needs and other information.
GovBenefits.gov went live on April 29, 2002. Since then, more than 31 million visitors have used GovBenefits.gov, viewing more than 25 million pages of benefit information and receiving more than 8.4 million referrals to government benefit programs.
The U.S. Department of Labor is the managing partner for GovBenefits.gov, which includes a questionnaire for visitors to identify benefit and assistance programs that could meet their needs. In addition to the Labor Department, the following agencies provide content for the site: the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs; the Office of Personnel Management; the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.
The public is encouraged to visit the GovBenefits.gov Web site and keep up with the latest site-related information on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/GovBenefitsGOV.
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