IMPACT REPORT
A YEAR OF GROWING IMPACT
This past year tested our resolve in unprecedented ways Policy shifts and administrative changes threatened to dismantle the very pathways families depend on to access support. Bureaucratic gridlock and political turbulence brought programs like SNAP to a complete standstill, creating uncertainty for the thousands of families who rely on these benefits for basic needs
In the face of these systemic barriers, we at Link Health doubled down on our mission. Link Health exists because of the barriers to accessing public benefits, meaning the more obstacles, the harder we will work for our families
Despite the extraordinary challenges presented last year, we achieved something remarkable: our highest enrollment numbers since our inception. We connected more families to life-sustaining benefits than ever before, proving that with the right infrastructure, expertise, and commitment, barriers can be overcome even in the most difficult circumstances
This work would not have been possible without our partners We're deeply grateful to everyone who believed in our mission and invested in our capacity across multiple fronts from operational sustainability and food insecurity initiatives to AI-powered technological infrastructure and civic engagement efforts These partnerships didn't just fund programs; they enabled us to build resilience, innovate under pressure, and maintain our promise to families when they needed us most
Together, we demonstrated that strategic collaboration and unwavering commitment can turn adversity into progress.
We’re thrilled for you to learn about our efforts in our 2025 Impact Report
WHATWEDO
Improved Health Outcomes & Economic Stability:
We provide place-based public benefits enrollment, connecting individuals to food, housing, and utility assistance, fostering financial independence while reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life
Workforce Development:
Our Patient Navigator model addresses both patient demand for social care support and clinic staffing shortages. We have the privilege of developing emerging leaders in the field.
Technology:
We streamline lengthy processes by using technology tools like AI to support families more efficiently.
Research:
We translate real-world insights into actionable strategies that strengthen community health systems. Through rigorous evaluation, we identify what works, scale proven interventions, and ensure resources reach those who need them most. Our research doesn't just measure impact, it drives it.
LINKHEALTH2025IMPACT
IN BENEFITS PUT BACK INTO HOUSEHOLDS
Patients engaged through outreach efforts
Applications successfully Submitted
The Numbers
Support obtained in public benefits, and referral resources in 2025
The Benefits Gap Crisis
Millions of patients leave clinics daily without access to essential resources food, housing, transportation, and internet, that fundamentally shape health outcomes. Every year, $142B in benefits intended for low-income individuals go unclaimed, highlighting critical gaps in support for our patients and their families and underscoring how healthcare systems often lack the infrastructure to identify patient needs and facilitate connections to essential resources
This "benefits gap" drives chronic disease progression, preventable hospitalizations, and deepening economic inequities Low-income communities bear the greatest burden: complex applications, language barriers, and institutional mistrust keep lifesaving programs beyond reach for those who need them most
STORIESFROMCLINIC
While screening a mother with a newborn for benefits, our Patient Navigator, Maceline, learned that the mother had recently arrived in the US and was staying in a shelter more than 60 minutes away from the clinic Without a permanent address, social security number, or insurance, we couldn’t enroll her in any public benefits programs through the usual channels
Rather than stopping there, Patient Navigator Maceline used our closed loop refreral platform, UniteUs, to connect the mother with community organizations that could provide support. During this process, a clinic staff member shared a letter for the mother’s social worker requesting relocation to a Boston-based shelter to ease her hour-long commute
On a Friday evening, Patient Navigator Lizbeth was working with a woman in the clinic who was facing serious financial hardship during the holiday season Through careful listening and thoughtful questions, she screened her for social needs and helped her apply for cash assistance using our AI-supported platform.
But Patient Navigator Lizbeth didn’t stop there. Temperatures that week were below 10 degrees, and the woman’s heat was at risk of being shut off; Patient Navigator Lizbeth searched for every possible option. Lizbeth ultimately helped the woman secure $750 in emergency support through the Lend A Hand Society, enough to keep the home warm while HEAP and other benefits took effect.
This is what meeting people where they are looks like, and it’s what Link Health does every day by partnering with community organizations to deliver real support in real time
HOURS OF CARE COORDINATION & OUTREACH SERVICES
Volunteer hours served in our clinics Clinical Experiential Learning hours Value of volunteer service to our program
*VolunteercontributionsarevaluedatthenationalIndependentSectorrateof$3479perhour
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Students in our cohort are trained as Patient Navigators and then deployed to our partner clinics or conduct remote patient navigation We are helping to shape emerging leaders going into the fields of medicine, nursing, public policy, public health, social work and technology.
Students that serve in our program come from many universities.
650,000*
Healthcare partner sites across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Texas.
Trained on public benefits enrollment and credentialed as Patient Navigators
*Based on an estimate of the total population of each provider
Our mission-driven work is centered in the community. Our partners, past, present, and future, provide us the ability to help address non-medical drivers of health daily.
PHILANTHROPICPARTNERS
Philanthropy is a transformative force that empowers communities, drives social innovation, and creates sustainable solutions to address critical challenges. Through investments from 13 funders and growing, we can uplift marginalized populations and catalyze systemic change. We are grateful to put $12M to work in the communities we serve
JOIN US IN CLOSING THE BENEFITS GAP
Link Health is an initiative of A Healthier Democracy, a nonprofit organization. Link Health works to empower individuals and communities by connecting them to essential federal benefit programs that support health, stability, and economic security.
Our focus is on expanding equitable access to resources such as healthcare, energy assistance, and nutrition support, key foundations of healthier, more resilient communities. Each year, an estimated $142 billion in public benefits goes unclaimed due to limited awareness and complex enrollment processes.
Link Health bridges this gap by simplifying access to these critical programs, supporting underserved populations, reducing financial strain, and promoting long-term well-being.
Bring our programs to your healthcare facility or your university. Together, we can be the change we aim to see in the world.
GET INVOLVED
Partner with us, refer a patient, or donate to help us expand our reach. Together, we can make a lasting difference!
