Social Services

South Carolina takes its benefits call centers to the cloud

After “dismal” timeliness ratings, the state’s Department of Social Services modernized so its centers would be more reliable and use AI to help more quickly administer cases.

Vocational rehabilitation programs are in jeopardy — here's how digital wallets can help

COMMENTARY | Funding for individuals with disabilities seeking meaningful employment is under threat. Digital wallets can help track participant spending and reduce administrative burden.

Inside Illinois’ journey to build a centralized platform for child welfare services

A digital transformation among six child welfare agencies in Illinois is helping to break down silos and connect families with the mental and behavioral health services they need.

Missouri will hand over personal data of food aid recipients to feds

Missouri has agreed to abide by a request from the federal government to turn over personal data about anyone receiving food assistance, the state social services agency confirmed to The Independent Tuesday.

Feds cancel unemployment modernization grants for states

The grant dollars — which the Department of Labor has been doling out since Congress allocated funding for fraud and access work in 2021 — don’t align with department priorities anymore, the agency says.

Missouri upgrades system for public benefits program WIC to allow remote benefits loading

Missourians receiving federal food assistance for low-income women and children will face fewer administrative hurdles.

How states can prepare to leverage AI for benefits eligibility

As benefits application backlogs continue to mount, artificial intelligence could help ease the squeeze on already strained caseworkers, experts say.

Building modern paid family and medical leave programs

COMMENTARY | How agile development, human-centered design and an API-first strategy drive success to ensure software always aligns with user needs.

Los Angeles turns to AI to give public benefits enrollment a boost

A chatbot tool launched in Los Angeles County looks to help case workers more quickly and efficiently get vulnerable residents linked to social services.

Majority of applicants say they’d use AI agent to navigate public benefits processes

A new survey from Salesforce found that 87% of respondents would use an AI agent. Many of the public feel interactions with government agencies can be challenging and leave behind billions of dollars in unclaimed benefits because of it.

How LA is using tech to get wildfire victims financial help

The Los Angeles Department of Economic Opportunity selected a solution from AidKit, which uses mapping, fraud detection and real-time reporting and analytics to vet applications for relief.

A simple fix could stop millions in food stamp theft. Will New York commit?

Chip technology has been standard in credit and debit cards for a decade. They could stop New York’s surging rate of stolen benefits.

Inside Missouri’s push to help gig workers access benefits more easily

The state saw a reduction in benefits application rejections and churn after implementing an income verification platform for nontraditional workers.

‘Optionality’ could be the key to better customer experience, experts say

As digital advances have prompted state agencies to innovate their benefits systems, experts say officials should first consider what residents want.

Why California is revamping its benefits application websites

The GetCalFresh.org site, which helps residents apply for government food assistance, is shutting down. A new system aims to replace and improve it over the next year.

SNAP theft reimbursements could end for many without congressional action by Friday

Senators are also urging the Agriculture Department to speed up its rulemaking around card security that could help prevent the problem.

Can AI help government prevent homelessness?

A predictive model is helping Los Angeles authorities link people at risk of homelessness to assistive services to keep them housed.

New fellowship program looks to help policymakers improve civic tech

The initiative will provide state and local governments insights on how to improve online tools and services for their residents.

Residents urged to protect their EBT cards against skimming devices

Local and federal authorities are investigating the electronic skimming devices that can steal a cardholder’s account details, including their PIN code. 

This Atlanta neighborhood hired a case manager to address rising homelessness—and it’s improving health and safety for everyone

COMMENTARY | Hiring a social worker to help people experiencing homelessness is a sharp contrast to the punitive approach condoned by the Supreme Court.