Policy & Practice | Fall 2026

We are in a unique moment in history. The mandated, expanded H.R. 1 requirements are not only a shift in policy, but a stress test for the entire public benefit infrastructure.

Too often, agencies fall into the trap of evaluating technology based on a “features list” without understanding the impact on workflow and how it dictates eligibility determinations will be made when implemented. If you are an agency leader currently evaluating potential verification solu tions, I encourage you to ask the hard questions that reveal whether a product is truly purpose-built and designed for the mission of public services: n Does the solution provide the com prehensive data reporting you need? Is anything missing? n What is the realistic timeline for implementation? n Can the product be customized or will it dictate workflow and how your agency determines benefit eligibility? n Can the solution support multiple programs (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) simultaneously? n How does the solution help you mitigate known areas of friction in the eligibility determination process? n How does the solution help eliminate opportunities for errors to occur? n How does the solution help regain staff capacity?

agencies need more than just any tech nology. They need a solution built for their mission. Effective eligibility modernization requires us to demand better from the technology we use. By choosing verifi cation solutions designed specifically for human services by former human services leaders who have carried the weight of this work and are informed by benefit recipients with lived expe rience, agencies aren’t just verifying data. They are serving their citizens with more speed, more accuracy, and, ultimately, more compassion. And that, ultimately, is how purpose-built technology will shape the future of benefits eligibility and modernize human services administration. Melissa Wolf is the Director, Government Strategy & Operations, at SteadyIQ.

n What is built into the solution to drive outcomes that matter, such as improved accuracy, decreased benefit delivery time, and reduced administrative burden? n What is the ease of use for both agency staff and applicants? n What level of training support does the vendor provide? Do trainers understand what is important to agencies? n How are product enhancements handled, particularly as new policy updates occur? Meeting the Moment With Purpose We are in a unique moment in history. The mandated, expanded H.R. 1 requirements are not only a shift in policy, but a stress test for the entire public benefit infrastructure. To pass this test, human services

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Fall 2026 Policy & Practice