2024 Edition: Account Creation and Identity Proofing in Online Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Applications

On this page, we share data and observations about account creation, authentication, and identity proofing steps used in online TANF applications. 

The DBN has been researching digital identity for the past two years, and our interest in this topic is based on our belief that all applicants deserve application processes that help them receive essential, life-saving benefits in a timely, dignified way. The way state agencies structure online account creation processes and requirements for applicants and beneficiaries to prove who they are may impact whether and how quickly individuals can apply for and start receiving benefits. We believe that successful identity management for public benefits requires risk-based, human-centered evaluation of when identity proofing and authentication are necessary, thoughtful selection of methods, and integration of identity management into overall service design.

Because some states combine or integrate applications for multiple programs, this page includes data from standalone SNAP applications and integrated applications. For entries that include combined or integrated applications, the data captures the claimant experience if they are applying for all available benefits included in our data collection – for example, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and MAGI Medicaid, together. 

The findings below outline our current understanding of online authentication and identity proofing requirements and practices for benefit programs.  You can also view the Digital Benefits Network’s data on account creation and identity proofing practices across core benefits programs.

High-level Findings

Integrated Applications

Most TANF applications are combined applications that allow users to apply for multiple benefits at once such as TANF and SNAP, TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid, or TANF, SNAP, and Child Care.

• Of the 49 applications in our dataset that include TANF, only three were standalone, TANF-specific applications. In general, TANF was often included on integrated applications with SNAP as well as Medicaid and Child Care. (There are fewer TANF applications in our dataset than last year because two states, California and Mississippi, retired additional online applications that included TANF.)

Account Requirements

Most applications that include TANF require users to create an account or sign in to submit an application online.

• Overall, 32 out of 49 (65%) of applications that include TANF require users to have an account to submit an application online.
• Another 13 applications make it optional to create an account to submit an application.
• Email is required in 25 (55%) of the 45 required or optional account creation processes.
• Of the 45 applications that include an account registration process, 44 use additional account authentication measures. These measures most commonly include security questions, email validation links, or authentication codes sent via email.

This map shows account requirements in online applications that include TANF across states. The color-coding on this map details whether applicants are required to have an account to submit an application. If you hover your cursor over an individual state on the map, you can also see whether the application’s account creation process incorporates additional authentication security measures, whether an email address is required to create an account if applicable, and what benefits programs are included on the application. A pattern overlay indicates which states’ accounts integrate with a state single sign-on or other external credentials.

Identity Proofing Requirements

Very few applications that include TANF require users to take active identity proofing steps to submit online.

• Only two applications that include TANF—Kentucky’s combined kynect and Oregon’s ONE application—require users to take active or front end steps to prove their identities. Both use knowledge-based verification (KBV) provided by Experian before applicants initiate the application.
• Another 13 applications that allow users to apply for TANF include identity proofing prompts that are optional. This means a user can immediately skip the prompt or, if their identity cannot be verified online, they can still continue. Seven of these applications place identity proofing prompts before users can initiate an application, and six prompt identity proofing during the application process. In general, when identity proofing is used for applications that include TANF, KBV is the primary method, and at least nine applications use Experian as an identity proofing vendor.

This map shows active identity proofing requirements in online applications that include TANF, across states. The color-coding on this map details whether applicants are required to take active steps to prove their identities as part of an online application process. If you hover over an individual state on the map you can also see what identity proofing methods are being used if applicable or known, when during the application process identity proofing is used, and what benefits programs are included on the application.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Requested

Applications that include TANF typically make it possible to submit online without requiring applicants to disclose their Social Security number (SSN).

• Applicants seeking TANF are required to provide their SSN as a condition of eligibility. How questions about SSN are presented in applications that include TANF vary, however. 
• In 39 applications that include TANF it appears to be possible for applicants to submit online without disclosing their SSN. Three other applications explicitly inform applications that providing SSNs is optional or strongly recommended. 
• Two applications that include TANF required applicants to provide their SSN.   
• Five other applications that include TANF required applicants to provide their SSN if they already indicated that they have one.

Dataset

Account Creation and Identity Proofing in Online SNAP Applications

Gallery View: Account Creation and Identity Proofing in Online SNAP Applications

Questions?

As always, we’re eager for your feedback! Did we miss something when reviewing a state’s application? Do you have research questions you’d like us to try and answer using the information in this dataset? If so, email us at digID@georgetown.edu.

Data Collection: SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, and Child Care Applications

‍We collected data on SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, and child care applications between June 10 and October 15, 2024. After initial data collection, we conducted an internal review of each application entry to ensure accuracy and consistency. Our team spent approximately 75 to 90 minutes working with each application. We have also used the “Public notes” column in the dataset to document nuances and open questions. Read more about our research process on this page.

Citation

​​Cite as: Elizabeth Bynum Sorrell, Ariel Kennan, Anvitha Reddy, Isabelle Granger, Miranda Xiong, Olivia Zhao, and Quinny Sanchez Lopez, “Account Creation and Identity Proofing in Online Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Applications: 2024 Dataset + Analysis” Digital Benefits Network, March 1, 2025.

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