> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bridgepointhq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Adding Clients: Creating a New Client Record

> Learn how to create a new client in BridgePoint CRM, from filling in required personal details to completing intake acknowledgements and getting a BP-ID.

Creating a new client record in BridgePoint captures everything your agency needs to enroll someone in benefits programs — personal information, household composition, income, and signed intake forms. When the record is saved, the system automatically assigns the client a unique BridgePoint ID (BP-ID) that you can use to find and reference them in every part of the platform.

## Starting a New Client

Click the **New Client** button in the top-right corner of the Clients page, or visit `/clients/new` directly. This opens the intake form, organized into numbered sections.

<Tip>
  If a client has already checked in through the walk-in queue, you can open their queue entry and click **Start Intake** to pre-fill their first name, last name, phone number, and selected program — skipping the manual re-entry of that information.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  If the request came in through the public appointment form, open the lead in the [Leads inbox](/leads/overview) and click **Convert to client** to pre-fill the intake form with the person's name, phone, email, language, and programs.
</Tip>

## Completing the Intake Form

<Steps>
  <Step title="Client Information">
    Fill in the client's personal details. The fields marked with a red asterisk are required before you can submit.

    **Required fields:**

    * **First Name**
    * **Last Name**
    * **Date of Birth**
    * **At least one program** selected in Section 2

    **Optional but recommended:**

    * **Phone Number** — formatted automatically as `(305) 555-0100`
    * **Street Address**, **City**, **State**, **ZIP**
    * **Email Address**
    * **DCF Case Number** — enter if one already exists in the state system
    * **DCF Application Number** — optional; enter if available
    * **Social Security Number** — required for US citizens; stored encrypted at rest. The last four digits are displayed for quick reference
    * **Marital Status** — Single, Married, Divorced, or Widow
    * **Language Preference** — defaults to English; options include Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French, and Other
    * **US Citizen** toggle and, if not a citizen, **Country of Birth** and **Immigration Status**
    * **Disability** indicator

    <Warning>
      Social Security Numbers are stored encrypted and are never displayed in plain text by default. Only users with the appropriate permissions can reveal the full SSN on a client's profile. Never enter SSN data into notes or free-text fields.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Benefits Programs">
    Select every program the client is applying for. You can choose any combination of:

    * **Obamacare / ACA**
    * **Food (SNAP)**
    * **Cash (TCA)**
    * **Medicaid**
    * **Medicare**

    A case record is created for each selected program when the intake form is submitted.

    <Note>
      Selecting **Obamacare / ACA** automatically adds the client to the ACA pipeline with the trigger reason "Direct ACA Application."
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Household Members">
    Add anyone who lives with the client and may be applying for benefits. For each household member, provide:

    * Full name, relationship, sex, and date of birth
    * Social Security Number (for US citizens)
    * Marital status
    * Whether they want to apply for benefits

    Click **Add Member** to add additional members. Each member's SSN is also stored encrypted.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Income">
    Toggle **Has Income** to yes and add one or more income entries. Each entry captures:

    * Income type — Employment, SSI, SSA, or Other
    * Source or employer name
    * Monthly amount

    The form calculates an estimated annual income total as you fill in entries.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assets">
    Toggle **Has Assets** to yes to disclose checking or savings accounts and vehicle information, including bank names, balances, car make, year, and monthly payment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Expenses">
    Toggle **Has Expenses** to yes and enter amounts for rent, mortgage, electricity, water, phone bill, and internet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Intake Acknowledgements">
    The client must sign four digital acknowledgement forms before submission:

    * **Marketplace Release**
    * **Enrollment & Coverage Disclosure**
    * **Income Attestation**
    * **DCF Access Authorization**

    Each form is signed in-browser with the client present. The client must also give consent to electronic signing.

    Staff must capture the client's **Government-Issued Photo ID** using the ID capture tool before the form can be submitted.

    <Note>
      If you are processing a paper-based ("legacy") intake, use the **legacy bypass** option. Paper forms must then be scanned and uploaded to the client's Documents tab manually after the record is created.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Duplicate Detection

Before you submit, BridgePoint searches for existing clients with the same full name, date of birth, or phone number. If a potential match is found, a warning appears listing the existing records with their BP-IDs. Review these carefully before proceeding — creating a duplicate record causes case and document history to be split across two profiles.

## After Submission

When you click **Submit**, BridgePoint:

1. Creates the client record and assigns a unique **BP-ID** (formatted `BP-XXXXX`).
2. Creates one case record per selected program.
3. Saves all signed acknowledgements with timestamps and staff witness information.
4. Generates the intake packet PDF in the background and attaches it to the client's Documents tab.
5. Redirects you to a delivery prompt where you can email or print the intake packet for the client.

After dismissing the delivery prompt, you are taken directly to the new client's profile page.

## Required vs. Optional Fields at a Glance

<Accordion title="Required fields">
  * First Name
  * Last Name
  * Date of Birth
  * At least one program selected
  * All four intake acknowledgements signed (unless using legacy bypass)
  * Government-issued ID captured (unless using legacy bypass)
  * Electronic consent confirmed (unless using legacy bypass)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Optional fields">
  * Phone Number
  * Email Address
  * Mailing Address (street, city, state, ZIP)
  * DCF Case Number
  * DCF Application Number
  * Social Security Number (required for US citizens, not collected for non-citizens)
  * Marital Status
  * Language Preference
  * Country of Birth and Immigration Status (for non-US citizens)
  * Disability flag
  * Household members, income entries, assets, and expenses
</Accordion>