This project portfolio page details a human-centered service design partnership with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to revitalize and streamline the state's unemployment benefits system following crisis-level strain.
Benefits Data Trust (BDT) is a nonprofit that connects people to public benefits through a streamlined, phone-based application system called Benefits Launch, which reduces redundant questions and speeds up the process for multiple programs. BDT's approach, supported by a custom-built rules engine, has facilitated over 800,000 benefit enrollments, helping secure over $9 billion for eligible households across seven states.
This guide outlines how states can use TANF funds to provide direct cash assistance to families, particularly through flexible mechanisms like nonrecurrent short-term benefits (NRSTs).
This timeline outlines key Medicaid policy changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA / H.R. 1) with the greatest operational impact on state and territory agencies and highlights upcoming implementation deadlines.
This blog analyzes how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will dramatically shift SNAP costs onto state governments, projecting massive budget increases and fiscal strain.
In response to COVID-19, the Workers Lab and Steady developed the "Income Passport" to streamline gig workers' unemployment benefit applications by pulling income data directly from gig platforms and financial accounts. This tool reduced manual verification time, helped prevent fraud, and improved workers' access to full benefits, with successful tests in Alabama and Louisiana demonstrating significant time savings and improved service delivery.
This study describes the potential of human-centered design principles to identify burdens, reducing the effects of what we label as administrative checkpoints.
This publication explains current state integrated eligibility and enrollment (IEE) system implementation processes, approaches, and opportunities for future processes and technologies. It is a resource for state officials, advocates, funders, and tech partners working to implement these systems.
Michigan's UIA director, Julia Dale, is leading the agency through transition by prioritizing lived experience, hope, grit, and values. Virginia's SNAP Program Manager, Michele Thomas, highlighted the success of Sun Bucks, a summer EBT child nutrition program that fed over 700,000 kids in its first year.
This presentation from Steph White, Cross Enrollment Coordinator at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers an in-depth example on implementing cross enrollment with WIC and general tools for cross enrollment.
