Resource Human-Centered Design Service Design

How Address Validation Can Improve the Effectiveness of Critical Safety Net Programs

This blog post outlines how address validation tools can improve delivery of critical benefits by ensuring mailing addresses are accurate and up-to-date.

Organization: Code for America
Published Year: 2025

The article explains that inaccurate or outdated mailing addresses often lead to undelivered EBT cards, notices, and other essential documents, causing delays, increased administrative burden, and extra costs for agencies.

It presents a three-step solution: validating addresses at data entry using autocomplete/typeahead UI, confirming deliverability through USPS‑certified APIs, and periodically validating existing address databases in bulk. The post also highlights an open-source demo tool with sample code and technical guidance to support agencies in implementing these address validation processes at scale.