A Nonprofit'S Abrupt Closure Puts Access to Public Benefits at Risk

credit: John Peter Lee, Ltd.

"We served more 120,000 people in 2023 alone and were on track for similar impact in 2024."

That's how many people the Philadelphia-based Benefits Data Trust (BDT) helped in the years before it abruptly shut down last month, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without a way to apply for government benefits, NPR reports.

In an open letter, more than 120 former BDT employees blame the nonprofit's closure on "gross financial and organizational mismanagement and negligence" at the hands of its executives and board of directors.

"We believe you owe us and the thousands of people we served answers," the letter reads.

"We served more than 120,000 people in 2023 alone and were on track for similar impact in 2024."

BDT used technology to make it easier for people and families to apply for government benefits, often helping them over the phone or online.

In a statement, BDT said it made the decision to shut down after a "thorough review of our finances and business operations."

The statement continued: "This decision has not been made lightly, and it comes after much reflection on the best path forward for our valued employees, the people who receive our services, and our funders and partners."

BDT, which was contracted by the Department of Agriculture to administer

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