EASLEY — The Parenting Place has announced that it is an official Benefit Bank site that is open to all residents of Pickens County.

The Benefit Bank is a web-based service that simplifies and centralizes the process of applying for many state and federal benefits for low and moderate income individuals and families. Through its eligibility screening tool, TBB can ensure that people are fully aware of the benefits to which they are entitled and, as an expert system it helps maximize the benefits and tax refunds they can secure.

The “one-stop-shop” concept of TBB reduces the amount of time needed to apply for benefits.
“We are excited to add this new service to our list programs that are free to the residents of Pickens County” said Heather Witt, Director of The Parenting Place. “Any resident of Pickens County can call our office and we can do a quick check to see what services they may be eligible for and we can do this over the phone.

“We know that by offering this service not only to our clients in our home visitation program but opening it up to the general public will help so many of our neighbors and also help us to achieve our mission of strengthening families.”

If you are a resident of Pickens County or know someone who is, you can call The Parenting Place at (864) 898-5583 or toll free at 800-893-0903. In a 10-minute phone interview the staff will be able to identify services you may be eligible for and then schedule an appointment for you to come into the office and in just under one hour you can have completed applications for things such as SNAP, the nutrition assistance program and even Medicaid/Medicare in just one stop. They are also certified in document verification so that they can certify your proof of identity documents.