Georgia Public Library Service is proud to partner with the Georgia Department of Human Services to provide free self-service benefits kiosks to all of Georgia’s public libraries.
The DHS Benefits Kiosk Program seeks to place the tools for benefits-eligible families in safe, convenient, wifi-enabled locations, like public libraries, to maximize accessibility. With more than 2.5 times as many public libraries as DHS offices across Georgia--and with their longer hours of operation, many with weekend service--this partnership will provide easy access to benefits information in every community.
The kiosks will facilitate easy access to the Department of Human Services' Georgia Gateway website, from which users are able to apply for, renew, change, and review their benefits, including SNAP, CAPS, PeachCare, TANF, Medicaid, and WIC. Support for this program is provided through Food and Nutrition Service grant funds administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During Summer 2023, Georgia’s public libraries have the opportunity to apply to receive one Benefits Kiosk per public-service facility. Requests for enclosures that work with bookmobiles and mobile outreach vehicles will be filled as funds allow. This is a one time application and orders will be filled Q4 2023 through Q1 2024.
The kiosks are comprised of three parts:
a Chrome tablet administered by the GPLS IT team,
an extended power cable,
and a floor stand with custom signage insert or wall mount.
The Chromebooks will be restricted to allow access to the secure Georgia Gateway website, DHS’s portal for benefits applications, renewals, and changes. Chromebooks will be pre-configured to wipe and reset after a short period of inactivity; no personal documents or uploads will be retained on the device itself.
Kiosks will require access to secure Wi-Fi and a standard wall plug. Kiosks used in vehicles can run on the integrated tablet battery for a number of hours.
The kiosks are designed to be self-serve and should be placed in easily accessible areas. We do not suggest placing kiosks near your public computing stations.
Kiosks can be free standing and moved around or can be anchored to the ground with included anchors.
Kiosks are required to remain in use for a minimum of 5 years.
All components will be drop-shipped to your system headquarters. Tracking information and delivery receipt details will be shared as they become available.
Stands will require some straightforward assembly. This is a great job for your most IKEA-savvy staff (and our documentation is much easier to follow).
Assembly instructions and a printable guide will be available to support the assembly process.
Fully assembled, kiosks measure 60” tall x 13.5” wide x 16” deep and are able to fit in most standard-sized sedans and hatchbacks.
GPLS staff will be available to help answer any questions you may have.
Tablets will arrive pre-enrolled and will simply need to be connected to your library’s secure Wi-Fi and plugged in. The GPLS IT team will centrally manage tablets and will be available to help troubleshoot as needed.
Kiosks are required to remain in-use for a minimum of five (5) years.
Chrome tablets that require troubleshooting or replacement may be reported to the GPLS IT team via a Help Desk ticket.
Basic questions about use of the Gateway platform can be answered by this Gateway Portal How-To Guide.
Any questions about the application, renewal, or change process, or questions about individual eligibility, should be directed to your local DHS office or the contact phone numbers.
Medicaid Redetermination & Georgia’s Public Libraries webinar
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 1:00pm
Other training resources:
Short how-to assembly videos and printable guides will be available to support the kiosk assembly process.
Basic questions about use of the Gateway platform can be answered by this Gateway Portal How-To Guide.
Any questions about the application, renewal, or change process, or questions about individual eligibility, should be directed to your local DHS office or the contact phone numbers.
Following the distribution and installation of kiosks in libraries across the state, GPLS will request survey feedback at the 6-month and 1-year marks and will continue to monitor usage through the duration of the 5-year program.
A library marketing toolkit will be made available on the main GPLS website (georgialibraries.org). Stay tuned for updates!
We encourage libraries to partner with their local DHS office(s) to cross-promote resources and provide the most up-to-date information about DHS services. Find your local DHS office here.
Are kiosks intended just for this period of Medicaid Redetermination/Unwinding?
No! The kiosks will support all types of public health benefits--not just Medicaid Redetermination. This includes TANF, SNAP, PeachCare, WIC, and CAPS.
Will the kiosks be a drain on staff resources?
The kiosks are self-serve and will be most useful to clients who are renewing their benefits, checking their status, or filing routine changes. Library staff are not expected to answer questions about benefits eligibility or handle sensitive patron data--in fact, DHS has explicitly requested that client questions be referred to them. DHS clients requiring guidance should be directed to their nearest DHS office. DHS will be supplying handouts to libraries to support referrals.
How will patrons know where to access kiosks?
We will be conducting a big statewide awareness campaign once the kiosks are delivered and set up. GPLS and DHS will maintain an online list of participating locations.
How do patrons reset access to their Gateway accounts?
The Gateway web page currently offers “Forgot my ID” and “Forgot my Password” options for clients who need to reset their credentials. DHS is preparing more detailed guidance for libraries for those patrons who no longer have access to their provided email accounts or phone numbers, and we will be sure to share that information widely as soon as it’s available.
What does accessibility mode in Google Chrome Kiosk Mode look like?
The GPLS IT team has developed a Google Chrome Accessibility guidance cheat sheet, complete with settings and screenshots.
How do these devices handle the sensitive information stored on them during a session?
The Chrome tablets operate similarly to the configuration of any other Chrome device you may already have in rotation. This means the data stored during a session is wiped the second the device reaches its idle timeout, or when a user signs out. The device will wipe itself and refresh to a new page, with no data remaining on the device, and no session information reported back up to the Google console.
What happens if we have a hardware, software, or website issue on the device?
Kiosk:
Missing hardware/damage: If your kiosk stand is damaged or missing parts, please send an email to help@georgialibraries.org with a detailed description of the problem and a picture of the damage if applicable.
Tablet:
Software issue: If your tablet has a software problem, please send an email to help@georgialibraries.org detailing the issue. Include a photo of the problem and the serial number of the device. The serial number can be found without removing the tablet from the enclosure by typing chrome://system in the address bar, then scrolling down to "vpd_2.0" and clicking expand. You will see the serial number on the third line. If the device will not let you view vpd_2.0, you can retrieve the serial number from the back of the tablet.
Hardware issue: If your tablet has a hardware issue or will not boot, please send an email to help@georgialibraries.org detailing the issue. Include a photo of the problem and the serial number of the device. You will likely have to retrieve the serial number from the back of the tablet. If the device needs replacement, GPLS will facilitate this process via courier.
Gateway Website: Report any outages with the website directly to DHS.
*GPLS and DHS have mirrored testing devices on hand so we will see the same thing all library kiosks do and can easily assist with troubleshooting as needed.
Will there be future opportunities to participate if my library isn’t quite ready?
While we hope to be funded for additional kiosk and social benefits access expansion in the future, funds are currently only available for this one-time opportunity. If you are at all interested in providing expanded access to DHS benefits at your library, we encourage you to let us know.
Questions about Medicaid Unwinding?
Here are some resources provided by DHS for community partners receiving questions about Medicaid Unwinding/Redetermination:
Suggestions?
If you have any suggestions for the kiosks, additional information, etc. please use the suggestion form here. Results are shared with both DHS and GPLS.