How does the merit staffing consideration apply to questions about AI/tech adoption?
e.g. if I am the SNAP Director in Nevada, and I recognize that eligibility interviews are not required by statute, but I also am very concerned about the impact on improper payments should we remove it -- I might see an automated/AI "interview" as a viable way to reduce workload while maintaining an interrogation of the case file for gaps in verification or incongruence that needs to be resolved.
While non-merit staff cannot perform the Actual Interview or Certification, this would, in practice being a "removing the interview", but updating the service design so that applicants must go through it or explicitly opt-out. Opt-outs could be directed to an Actual Interview with Merit Staff. Merit Staff would still conduct the actual Certification for all applicants, using the output of the "interview" conducted by AI/automation.
How does the merit staffing consideration apply to questions about AI/tech adoption?
e.g. if I am the SNAP Director in Nevada, and I recognize that eligibility interviews are not required by statute, but I also am very concerned about the impact on improper payments should we remove it -- I might see an automated/AI "interview" as a viable way to reduce workload while maintaining an interrogation of the case file for gaps in verification or incongruence that needs to be resolved.
While non-merit staff cannot perform the Actual Interview or Certification, this would, in practice being a "removing the interview", but updating the service design so that applicants must go through it or explicitly opt-out. Opt-outs could be directed to an Actual Interview with Merit Staff. Merit Staff would still conduct the actual Certification for all applicants, using the output of the "interview" conducted by AI/automation.
In New York City, the Human Resources Administration (HRA), which administers SNAP and Cash Assistance, has started using software for applications (ACCESS HRA) and case management (ANGIE) in the last few years (https://www.nyc.gov/assets/opportunity/pdf/policybriefs/expanding-access-to-public-benefits.pdf). It seems like ANGIE might be counterproductive (https://citylimits.org/2023/09/28/city-officials-grilled-on-staffing-needs-amid-public-benefit-processing-crisis/) but in theory, systems like these could be useful interventions.
Would you want this posted to relevant subreddits? Seems like r/fednews might appreciate it, along with some policy subreddits.