Center for Transforming Lives is among the first in Texas to offer MyFriendBen, a screening tool that shows users public programs and savings they may be missing.
FORT WORTH, Texas — For families stretched thin between paychecks, knowing which programs exist — and how to access them — can be the difference between stability and crisis. A Fort Worth nonprofit is now making that search significantly easier.
Center for Transforming Lives announced the launch of MyFriendBen, a free online platform that helps users identify public benefits, tax credits, and nonprofit programs they may qualify for — all in about six minutes. The organization is among the first in Texas to deploy the tool, said Carlye Tyler, Chief Program Officer with the Center for Transforming Lives.
“It’s hard out here,” said Latrese George, a Fort Worth resident who knows firsthand how difficult navigating daily expenses can be. “Some people don’t have transportation to get to places. Some people just don’t have the help period.”
The platform allows users to anonymously answer questions about income, household size and personal circumstances. It then generates a personalized report showing eligibility for assistance with rent, food, utilities and other essential needs — along with guidance on where to apply.
“I think that we can provide a sort of one-stop solution, said Carlye Tyler, chief program officer for Center for Transforming Lives. “There may be things you had no idea that you could qualify for, and that’s across the board.”
The organization’s own data underscores the urgency. Of the more than 3,000 individuals the Center for Transforming Lives serves annually, 64% spend more than 40% of their income on rent, and 55% have no savings at all. For many, a single unexpected expense can trigger a cascade of crises, according to the organization.
Tyler said early results show the tool helping people save thousands of dollars per month. “It’s life-changing, the amount of money you can save with these programs,” she said.
George, who is familiar with some public benefits programs, acknowledged the difficulty of navigating the system but said the new tool is worth trying.
About the tool
MyFriendBen is a nonprofit technology organization whose platform screens eligibility for more than 30 public benefits and tax credits. To date, it has connected more than 120,000 households to public benefits, according to a press release from the Center for Transforming Lives.
The tool is designed to be used without creating an account or disclosing identifying information, an intentional feature meant to lower barriers for families who may be wary of sharing personal details or uncertain where to begin.