TIME named CiviForm to its 2025 list of Best Inventions, recognizing the open-source platform built with Google.org that has cut application times by up to 85% in cities like Seattle. The honor highlights CiviForm's growing impact on reducing barriers to public benefits.

This post explains how the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and tools like CiviForm help government agencies modernize outdated, PDF-heavy systems while meeting new ADA accessibility requirements. It covers why action on accessibility compliance can't wait.

CiviForm's 'North Star' initiative aims to overhaul the resident digital experience by prioritizing accessibility, clarity, and trust. The team adopted USWDS and Thymeleaf to build a more intuitive, government-standard frontend.

Arkansas used CiviForm to modernize its fragmented, paper-based service delivery system, starting with WIOA workforce programs and aligning with statewide initiatives like Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies. The effort focused on improving accessibility for underserved communities.

Charlotte, NC partnered with CiviForm to replace its fragmented, paper-based benefits process with a unified 'one-stop shop' application system. The city worked closely with housing departments and community organizations like Habitat for Humanity to shape the solution.

Exygy's second CiviForm webinar featured Bloomington and Charlotte officials sharing how the platform helped launch grant programs and build universal applications. The session highlighted CiviForm's flexibility across different government contexts.

Seattle's Mayor issued a new executive order on anti-displacement strategies that explicitly calls for incorporating tenant relocation and rental assistance programs into CiviForm. The move further cements CiviForm's role as the city's central platform for affordability services.

Exygy hosted the first in a CiviForm webinar series, featuring Arkansas Chief Data Officer Robert McGough discussing the state's integrated service delivery implementation. A recording and slide deck are available for those who missed it.

CiviForm rolled out several Q2-Q3 2024 product updates, including program migration, category filtering, multi-file upload, and enumerator limits. A full resident-experience redesign and custom eligibility messaging are coming next.

Seattle's Affordable Seattle program expanded CiviForm to offer up to $25,200 in annual savings per household, cutting average application time from 30 minutes to five. Over 9,000 applications came in during the program's first year, supported by 40 community-based organizations.