A pilot program to close benefits cliffs, co-designed with community members and service providers
A human‑centered co‑design project aimed at improving how low‑income residents discover and access public benefits in Humboldt County.
In collaboration with the EPIC (End Poverty in California) initiative and local community partners like the McKinleyville Family Resource Center, CivicMakers conducted co‑design workshops with residents to identify friction points in the benefits application process.
They worked with a small group of participants to prototype service improvements—such as simplified communications and navigation aids—to guide users more effectively to available supports. The case study documents this iterative design approach, the insights generated, and how community‑driven solutions can shape more accessible benefit systems.
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