The Challenge: States' Systems vs. Modern Realities of Income Identification & Work Requirements
Across the nation, states' current methods for determining eligibility struggle with today’s diverse workforce and are critically unprepared for the complexities of impending federal work requirement mandates. Like many states, Ohio faces challenges where the core issue often starts with failing to accurately *identify* all income.
Traditional systems critically fail to *identify* all income sources, especially for gig workers, contractors, and the self-employed. This initial hurdle means 75-80% of applicants lack real-time data, leading to error-prone self-attestation and downstream verification nightmares.
Reliance on mailed paystubs and handwritten forms for verification (after identification struggles) leads to lengthy delays. Eligible citizens wait weeks or months.
Fast-approaching federal work requirements will place an enormous new administrative burden on state agencies, demanding efficient, integrated, and accurate tracking systems for work activities—something current, fragmented processes cannot handle.
Difficulties in comprehensive income identification and subsequent verification, coupled with a lack of integrated work activity data, contribute significantly to improper payments, burdening taxpayers.
Complex identification, fragmented verification, and the anticipation of work requirement tracking create heavy workloads and backlogs, increasing costs and slowing vital assistance.
Bottom line: Legacy approaches to income identification and verification are too slow, too manual, and too easily gamed across many states. This frustrates everyone, fuels improper payments, delays aid, and leaves systems critically unprepared for the coming wave of work requirement tracking. Ohio, like other states, needs a unified solution.
Urgency: Legislation Demands Modernized Income Identification & Integrated Work Requirement Tracking Now
Federal policy shifts require more rigorous income identification, comprehensive verification, and integrated work requirement tracking. Ohio has a critical window to lead by proactively implementing a unified system, turning mandates into an innovation opportunity.
New and tightened federal work requirements for Medicaid/SNAP are not just coming—they demand a paradigm shift. Current systems are unequipped for continuous, accurate tracking of varied employment. Ohio can innovate and lead by integrating this now into a unified system.
Proposals like the House budget reconciliation bill mandate actual verification of income, eliminating reliance on applicant declarations. States need automated solutions for comprehensive income *identification* and verification to comply.
This bipartisan effort requires states to implement an 'Enhanced Income Verification Platform' within one year, checking all income sources with real-time data matching, emphasizing robust *identification* as the first step.
A clear bipartisan push for program integrity and reduced improper payments means states must upgrade technology for both income verification and work requirements. Ohio can lead this charge with an integrated, unified approach.
Legislative takeaway: The direction is set – comprehensive income identification, robust verification, and integrated work requirement tracking are non-negotiable. Ohio should seize the initiative, upgrade to a unified system now, meet new legal requirements seamlessly, and lead nationally.
A Critical Look: Ohio's Recent RFP for Income Verification and Employment Verification Misses the Mark
While Ohio aims to modernize, the structure of its recent Request for Proposal (RFP) for Income Verification and Employment Verification systems presents a significant roadblock. Addressing these RFP concerns is crucial for true transformation in income identification, verification, and work requirement systems.
The recent RFP appears narrowly tailored, effectively limiting competition and favoring a specific incumbent entity. This approach stifles innovation and prevents Ohio from accessing the best-in-class solutions available in the market.
The entity poised to win under the current RFP structure is deeply connected to the legacy systems and approaches that have created today's challenges. They represent the 'old way' of doing things, which is significantly behind modern technological capabilities.
True modernization requires openness, interoperability, and a commitment to leveraging diverse, cutting-edge technologies. This RFP, however, promotes a closed, monolithic system that is inherently resistant to the agility and innovation Ohio needs.
The RFP's restrictive nature and preference for an outdated approach directly contradict Ohio's goals of achieving genuine efficiency, improved citizen service, robust fraud prevention, and effective work requirement management. It risks locking Ohio into another cycle of underperformance.
Ohio stands at a crossroads. The current RFP for Income Verification and Employment Verification, if unchanged, risks perpetuating the very problems it seeks to solve by:
- Limiting True Competition: Favoring a single, potentially outdated provider.
- Ignoring Modern Solutions: Failing to embrace open, agile, and AI-driven platforms.
- Jeopardizing Objectives: Undermining efforts for real savings, efficiency, and citizen-centric services.
For Ohio to truly lead and achieve its modernization goals for income identification, verification, and work requirements, a more open, competitive, and forward-thinking RFP approach is essential.
The Opportunity: A Unified System for Income Identification, Verification, & Work Requirements
By modernizing with a single, integrated platform, Ohio can save millions, accelerate benefits, ensure unparalleled program integrity by mastering income identification first, and proactively lead on upcoming work requirement mandates.
Automated, upfront income *identification* and verification dramatically speeds up eligibility. Missouri saw a 31.6% reduction in decision time, getting benefits ~4 days faster.
Comprehensive income identification ensures only eligible citizens receive benefits. In Missouri, SteadyIQ's system found **17% of applicants, who would have otherwise been approved, ineligible due to previously unknown or undisclosed income.** This directly translates to significant savings and program integrity.
Prepare Ohio to efficiently manage and verify new federal work requirements with an integrated, unified system. Turn a potential burden into an operational strength and a model for other states.
Smart automation across income identification, verification, and work requirement tracking in a single system cuts manual work, shrinking backlogs and costs. Agencies have cut 93% of manual review time. Program costs can drop ~17% overall.
Improvements come from efficiency and integrity in comprehensive income processes and integrated work requirement management, not reducing rightful benefits. Serve people better and save money simultaneously.
Ohio can pioneer a single, low-cost, cross-agency system that seamlessly combines income identification, verification, and work requirement tracking, setting a new national standard for efficiency and fairness.
Proven Impact & Ohio's Potential: Real Results, Tangible Savings
SteadyIQ's platform delivers quantifiable improvements. By applying a similar 17% improvement observed in states like Missouri (due to better income identification and verification), Ohio could unlock substantial annual savings.
National Success Stories
31.6%
Reduction in Decision Time
(e.g., Missouri: ~4 days faster benefit access)
93%
Manual Review Time Cut
(Eliminating paper processes)
~17%
Overall Program Cost Reduction
(Via improper payment prevention & efficiency in states like MO)
0%
Application Churn (Paperwork Issues)
(e.g., Missouri: vs 11.1% previously)
Ohio's Potential Savings Annually
Applying the 17% improvement from enhanced income identification and verification (as seen in Missouri) to Ohio's program expenditures reveals significant potential savings:
$6.61 Billion
Potential Annual Medicaid Savings for Ohio
(Based on 17% improvement on $38.88B expenditure)
$573 Million
Potential Annual SNAP Savings for Ohio
(Based on 17% improvement on $3.37B benefits)
$215 Million
Potential Annual TANF Savings for Ohio
(Based on 17% improvement on $1.265B expenses)
$7.39+ Billion
Total Potential Annual Savings Across These Programs
(By addressing income identification & verification gaps)
Disclaimer: Potential savings are illustrative, based on applying a 17% improvement rate (observed in Missouri due to better income identification finding previously ineligible applicants) to Ohio's reported program expenditures. Actual results may vary.
SteadyIQ’s Solution: A Unified AI Platform for Income Identification, Verification & Work Requirement Management
Our transformative "Income Passport" provides a single, low-cost, cross-agency system. It uses real-time data and AI for unprecedented accuracy in income identification, robust verification, and fully integrated work requirement tracking.
Comprehensive Income Identification & Data Integration
Crucially *identifies* income from diverse sources by connecting to payroll, gig platforms, banks & digital wallets for a complete picture (W-2, 1099, self-employment, tips).
Advanced AI for Identification, Verification & Document Automation
AI first identifies potential income sources, then validates data, flags inconsistencies, and automates document analysis, ensuring accuracy from the start.
Integrated Work Requirement Tracking & Verification
Seamlessly manage, track, and verify work activities alongside income within the same unified system, preparing Ohio for upcoming federal mandates efficiently.
Real-Time Verification & Continuous Monitoring
Streamed data enables on-the-spot eligibility decisions and continuous monitoring of both income and work activities. Applicants complete the process in under 10 minutes.
User-Friendly, No-Code Interface for All
Video-guided web platform for applicants. Clean, consolidated reports for caseworkers. Easy deployment without heavy IT lift for a unified experience.
Unified Integration with State Systems (or Standalone)
Secure API integration with existing eligibility systems or use as a comprehensive standalone platform. Cloud-based, compliant with government IT standards, fostering a single-system approach.
In short, SteadyIQ provides Ohio with an "income and work eligibility brain." This unified system automatically identifies and collates all income data, tracks work activities, applies AI analysis, and outputs a verified summary, forming the core of a single, cross-agency, low-cost solution ready for modern challenges.
Proof of Success: Real-World Results
SteadyIQ’s solution is delivering powerful results in states like Missouri and Alabama, proving that modernization saves money, speeds processes, and improves integrity.
Melissa Wolf
Deputy Director, Family Support Division
SteadyIQ’s Income Passport uses sophisticated technology to streamline the process for applicants and agencies – delivering a real reduction in administrative burden and an improved client experience.
Key Results:
- 31.6% faster approvals (~4 days sooner)
- 24.8% drop in rejections (incomplete info)
- 0% application churn (documentation issues)
- 6.3% reduction in caseworker touchpoints
Video testimonial from Melissa Wolf.
Fitzgerald Washington
State Labor Secretary
Equipped with the Income Passport, states can stay ahead of workers’ needs and better manage government resources. A win-win for the state and for workers.
Key Results:
- 97% reduction in UI verification time (60min to <2min)
- Benefit delivery from 21 days to <1 day
- Enhanced fraud prevention for UI trust fund
Image representative of a testimonial from Fitzgerald Washington.
Louisiana saw similar success: 95% reduction in time to deliver unemployment benefits (3 weeks to <1 day). Ohio can be confident these outcomes are replicable.
SteadyIQ: A Trusted Partner with Unrivaled Experience & Scale
Ohio will partner with experts who understand technology, the policy landscape of public benefits, and the communities served.
Processed over 3 billion income transactions for millions of mixed-earner, low-income individuals since 2018.
Successfully served and partnered with over 20 government agencies, delivering tailored solutions.
Evolved from the Steady app, serving 2M+ gig/hourly workers, providing deep insights into non-traditional income.
7+ years working with federal and state agencies (MO, AL, LA), tailoring solutions and navigating compliance (FNS, CMS).
Provided expert testimony to Congress, maintain relationships with federal agencies, staying ahead of policy changes.
Bank-grade security, encryption, and consent-driven data usage. Compliant with HIPAA, GDPR-like standards, vetted by multiple states.
Passionate about ensuring eligible people get benefits quickly and accurately. A partner who cares about outcomes for Ohio's people.
By choosing SteadyIQ, Ohio gets a partner with a track record, not a theory. We have the experience, credibility, and alignment with public-sector values to make this project a success.
AI-Powered Document Analysis Demo
Experience how SteadyIQ's AI can automatically extract key data from documents like pay stubs or bank statements, and flag inconsistencies for review.