Streamlining SNAP Eligibility Verifications With The Work Number®

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) is taking a forward-thinking approach to public assistance by encouraging state agencies to embrace advanced automation technologies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This initiative aims to modernize benefit decisioning and goes beyond simply improving efficiency. 

USDA FNS is actively funding and providing access to more data sources to facilitate quicker income verification for applicants during the eligibility determination process. By leveraging automated and current data, the goal is to create a more streamlined and efficient system for everyone involved, ultimately helping to alleviate food insecurity.

Traditionally, state agencies have required applicants to submit employment, income, and other essential information in person, by fax, or mail. However, innovative solutions like The Work Number® database are helping change the landscape. The Work Number offers credentialed verifiers with access to current employment and income data - as of the time payroll was last processed by a contributing employer or payroll provider - and provides these verifications instantaneously through an automated service. This helps reduce the need for manual paperwork and processes and can significantly speed up the verification process, improving time-to-benefit.

In 2023 alone, The Work Number provided social service verifications for 25 million people seeking government benefits. By integrating The Work Number into their procedures, state agencies can reduce administrative burdens, enabling agencies to expedite their determination process, and deliver benefits more effectively to eligible individuals in need. This not only improves program  efficiency but also enhances the overall experience for applicants, fostering trust and satisfaction with agencies delivering SNAP services.

The Work Number is an industry leading, consolidated, commercial repository of income and employment data contributed directly by participating employers and payroll providers each time they process payroll. The database has access to employment records for nearly 230 million people with employment and income data from nearly 3.8 million small, medium, and large employers nationwide*. Over 30 states are already leveraging this valuable resource to enhance their SNAP decision-making processes, including:

• Determining initial eligibility or recertification

• Conducting verifications for household changes during the certification period

• Performing SNAP quality control reviews

By embracing innovative technologies like The Work Number, state agencies can revolutionize their SNAP benefit determinations and processes, helping eligible individuals receive the support they need in an efficient manner. This transformation not only benefits applicants but also empowers agencies to focus on their core mission of serving those in need.

*Source: Data is based on EFX data and BLS data as of December 2023.

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