Organization: U.S. Digital Response (USDR)
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Engineering + Software Development 
Thinking Like an Engineer: Selecting and Working with Low-Code/No-Code Tools
Using low-code/no-code tools successfully requires knowing how to pick the right tool and knowing the kind of challenges that merit calling in a technical team for consultation and advice.
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Human-Centered Design 
Improving Unemployment Fraud Reporting with User Research
User research + design kit in for improving the UI fraud reporting experience, available in English and Spanish
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Human-Centered Design 
Using human-centered design and low-code tech to inform unemployment insurance policy implementation
U.S. Digital Response partnered with the Department of Labor to design a human-centered, low-code solution for efficient retroactive unemployment benefit determination.
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Delivering a Multilingual User Experience for Retroactive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
A state partner needed to reopen applications to claimants who were previously denied benefits and determine if they are eligible to receive retroactive PUA payments. To help combat these issues, the state agency wanted to create a self-guided experience that was clear for claimants as well as reduce load on their call center. The team focused on providing enough contextual information in order to build trust and provide clarity with claimants, and worked to test content and form design before launching the new service in order to preempt and mitigate support issues.
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Digital Identity 
Race and Inequity in Identity Proofing Methods
The vast fraud committed through the use of stolen and synthetic identities in UI programs has spotlighted the need for updated identity fraud detection mechanisms. As states are implementing new technologies and systems, they need to consider the ways in which they are impacting racial inequities in UI benefits.
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Human-Centered Design 
NJDOL Benefits Eligibility Tool
A beta version of a screening tool that lists benefits programs that New Jersey residents can use to determine what benefits they are eligible for.
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Policy 
Six Recommendations for Implementing the Next Stimulus Package
The US Digital response partnered with dozens of states, counties, and cities to support them in using and tracking CARES Act grants. This article presents six lessons learned from their work to help governments better assist residents, particularly small businesses and low-income communities.
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8 Tips for Governments to Mitigate Call Center Volume
Overwhelming unemployment rates during the pandemic created significant demand for state-based unemployment benefits. As a result of the increased applications, states are also experiencing an overwhelming volume of calls to their call centers. U.S. Digital Response has been working with states to mitigate problems arising from heavy demand on call centers. This article describes tangible steps state governments can take to manage call volume.