Core Insights - Equifax's Social Services Outlook Index reveals that 54% of social service workers find their workplace very efficient, with 100% expecting increased efficiency in the coming year [1] - The survey emphasizes the importance of data and automation, with 57% of workers believing advancements in these areas will enhance their efficiency by 2026 [1] - Key challenges identified include changing policies (49%), insufficient staffing (41%), and lack of automation (41%) [1] Group 1: Efficiency and Technology - Nearly one in four workers (23%) anticipate that increased access to data will significantly improve workplace efficiency [2] - More than one in four (27%) believe technology and automation will most positively impact their ability to determine appropriate benefits for eligible applicants [2] - 40% of social service workers expect a significant increase in their use of technology and automation in the next year [1][2] Group 2: Complexity and Challenges - 98% of government workers foresee an increase in applicants with multiple income streams, such as gig work, complicating their roles [2][3] - 97% of workers express confidence in having the necessary information to assist these individuals, with 46% somewhat confident and 51% very confident [2] Group 3: Process Improvement - Nearly all social service workers (98%) agree that a universal intake process would enhance efficiency [3] - Suggested practical solutions for enhancing efficiency include simplifying eligibility and documentation requirements (38%), increasing internal communication (35%), and addressing accessibility barriers (34%) [4] Group 4: Experience and Advocacy - 99% of workers believe having a single caseworker for multiple programs is beneficial for beneficiaries [5] - Workers with over 10 years of experience are strong advocates for a universal intake form, with 54% supporting it compared to 43% of less experienced peers [5] - 61% of experienced workers find it very helpful for beneficiaries to have one caseworker, compared to 48% among less experienced staff [5] Group 5: Survey Methodology - The Equifax Social Services Outlook Index was conducted from August to September 2025, surveying 500 U.S. government social service workers across various levels and programs [5]

Core Insights - The inaugural Equifax Social Services Outlook Index reveals that 100% of government social service workers expect their work efficiency to improve in the coming year, with 57% attributing this to advancements in data and technology [1][2][3] Group 1: Efficiency Expectations - 54% of surveyed social service workers believe their current workplace is very efficient, and all respondents anticipate further improvements in efficiency [1][2] - 57% of social service workers indicate that data and technology will significantly enhance their efficiency in 2026 [3] Group 2: Challenges and Concerns - Key challenges identified include changing policies (49%), insufficient staffing (41%), and lack of automation (41%) [3] - 98% of government workers expect an increase in applicants with multiple income streams, indicating a growing complexity in their work [6][7] Group 3: Role of Data and Automation - 40% of social service workers expect a significant increase in their use of technology and automation in the next year [5] - 23% of workers believe that increased access to data will be a major factor in improving workplace efficiency [5] - 27% of respondents see technology and automation as crucial for determining appropriately sized benefits for eligible applicants [5] Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Suggested solutions for enhancing efficiency include simplifying eligibility and documentation requirements (38%), increasing internal communication and feedback (35%), and addressing accessibility barriers (34%) [8] - Nearly all social service workers (98%) agree that a universal intake process would enhance efficiency [9] Group 5: Experience and Advocacy for Change - Workers with over 10 years of experience are more likely to advocate for a universal intake form (54%) compared to less experienced peers (43%) [10] - 61% of experienced workers believe having one caseworker for multiple programs is beneficial, compared to 48% among less experienced staff [10]