Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provide an average of ~$1,500/month and are critical stabilizers, reducing poverty and mortality for millions of Americans. Yet access remains extremely difficult: more than 80% of initial applications are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with more than half of those due to avoidable “technical” reasons like missing information or incomplete documentation.
Beneficial Computing is a 501(c)(3) tech nonprofit building AI tools for the human services workforce to increase successful screenings and applications for disability benefits, reducing both technical denials and administrative burden in navigating the convoluted federal disability benefits system. We are also building a community-centered Resource Hub that helps disabled individuals and their caregivers discover and access additional critical supports (ie food pantries, assistive technologies, etc) while waiting for an SSA determination.
Our work sits at the intersection of civic tech, public health, and social policy, with a focus on reducing administrative burden for claimants, caregivers, and the human services workforce supporting them, and improving access to essential services for those in need.
Beneficial Computing is a tech nonprofit co-founded by an Amherst alum and is seeking 1-2 students for a summer internship role. This is a hands-on opportunity to work at the intersection of civic tech, social entrepreneurship, and public systems.
The intern will support the development of Beneficial Computing’s Resource Hub through a civic mapping project, documenting how community-based resources, referrals, and eligibility systems function in practice across New York City that will be deployed citywide by the end of the internship period (if not earlier). Yes, your work will be actively used to make things that help people!
This opportunity is a strong fit for students interested in public service, social entrepreneurship, civic tech and design, and social benefits systems.
This internship opportunity is unpaid but eligible for summer internship funding through the Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program.
Please note while it may be eligible, funding is not guaranteed. For information, please visit the Houston Program page on the Loeb Center website or email [email protected]
1. Resource Hub & Civic Mapping (~60%)
2. Community Engagement & SSI/SSDI Screenings (~20%)