Equifax Survey Shows Government Caseworkers Optimistic on Efficiency, Identify Automation as a Key Priority for 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

Equifax (NYSE: EFX) released the inaugural Equifax Social Services Outlook Index on December 4, 2025, from a survey of 500 U.S. government social service workers supporting programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and TANF.

Key findings: 54% say their workplace is very efficient, 100% expect greater efficiency next year, and 57% cite data and technology as drivers of efficiency in 2026. Other notable stats: 40% expect significant increases in day‑to‑day automation use; 98% anticipate more applicants with multiple income streams; top concerns include changing policies (49%) and insufficient staffing (41%).

Positive

• 57% expect data and technology to improve efficiency in 2026
• 100% of respondents expect greater efficiency next year
• 40% expect significant increases in automation use over next year
• 54% report their workplace is very efficient

Negative

• 49% cite changing policies as a top concern for 2026
• 41% cite insufficient staffing as a barrier to progress
• 41% identify lack of automation as a key challenge
• 98% expect an increase in applicants with multiple income streams

Inaugural Equifax Social Services Outlook Index Finds 57% of Government Social Services Workers Agree that Data and Technology will Increase Efficiency in the Year Ahead, Helping Expedite Aid to Applicants

ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax® (NYSE: EFX) has released its inaugural Equifax Social Services Outlook Index. The survey of 500 government social service workers supporting programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and TANF found that 54% of respondents say their workplace is very efficient, and all respondents (100%) expect their work to be even more efficient in the coming year, helping them expedite appropriate aid delivery to eligible applicants. 

The survey underscores the growing role of data and automation in public service delivery, with 57% of social service workers saying that advancements in data and technology will make their work more efficient in 2026. However, despite an optimistic outlook, the survey also highlights key challenges that could impact progress. The top concerns for the year ahead include changing policies (49%), insufficient staffing (41%) and lack of automation (41%).

"Public service demands are growing, and many government caseworkers are grappling with heavy caseloads, adapting to new policies, and finding ways to do more with limited resources, all while still trying to give each applicant the attention they deserve," said David Turner, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Government Solutions, Equifax. "Data and automation help address these challenges by streamlining repetitive tasks and improving access to information for verifications, freeing up time for caseworkers to focus on what matters most – delivering meaningful support to the people and communities they serve. The result is not just greater efficiency, but a better experience for both caseworkers and beneficiaries."

Data and Automation Drive Efficiency Gains

As social service agencies continue to modernize and benefit from technology, caseworkers are adopting new workflows and preparing to transform how they do their jobs. In fact, 40% of social service workers report that they expect their day-to-day technology and automation use to increase "significantly" in the next year. Workers also anticipate tangible gains from greater use of tech, with nearly one in four (23%) citing increased access to data as a factor that will most improve workplace efficiency. Importantly, they see this efficiency as directly supporting the people they serve, with more than one in four (27%) noting their ability to determine appropriately sized benefits for eligible applicants as the top area where technology and automation will have the greatest positive impact. 

When asked how to further enhance efficiency, respondents identified several practical solutions including: 

• Simplifying eligibility and documentation requirements (38%)
• Increased internal communication and feedback (35%)
• Solutions to help with accessibility barriers such as transportation and language (34%)

Despite these opportunities, caseworkers also recognize the growing complexity in their work. Nearly all government workers (98%) anticipate an increase in applicants with multiple income streams, such as gig work, and 97% say they're somewhat (46%) or very (51%) confident they have information needed to help these individuals.

"The rise of gig work and nontraditional income streams is one of the key factors prompting social service agencies to evolve their processes in recent years, adding not only new layers of complexity for caseworkers, but also new opportunities to serve people more effectively," added Turner. "By leveraging data and automation to gain more insights into an applicant's income and employment situation across multiple income streams, agencies can better deliver appropriate benefits to eligible applicants in their time of need."

Caseworkers Ready to Embrace Modernized Benefit Determination Processes

As agencies look to streamline operations through smarter use of technology, caseworkers see strong potential in a more unified, connected determination process. Nearly all social service workers (98%) agree that a universal intake process – such as a common applicant form shared across programs - would increase efficiency. Likewise, almost all workers (99%) believe that it is helpful for beneficiaries to have a single caseworker supporting multiple programs, enabling a more consistent and coordinated experience for beneficiaries.

Workers with more than 10 years of experience are particularly strong advocates for these changes. Over half (54%) of these more experienced employees say a universal intake form would make their role much more efficient, compared with 43% of their less experienced peers. Similarly, 61% of these more experienced workers believe it is very helpful for beneficiaries to have one caseworker supporting multiple programs, versus 48% among less experienced staff. These findings suggest that as caseworkers gain experience, they develop a clearer understanding of how modernization can strengthen both operations and outcomes. This reinforces the case for improving efficiencies by simplifying processes, laying the groundwork for a more connected and human-centered social service system.

Methodology

The Equifax Social Services Outlook Index was fielded from August to September 2025 among a statistically significant sample of 500 U.S. government social service workers across the federal, state and local levels, and supporting programs including Medicaid, WIC, TANF, SNAP, SSI and others. The survey measures worker sentiment on efficiency, technology adoption and the future of public service delivery.

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC.

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit www.equifax.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dan Jenkins for Equifax Workforce Solutions
mediainquiries@equifax.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equifax-survey-shows-government-caseworkers-optimistic-on-efficiency-identify-automation-as-a-key-priority-for-2026-302632312.html

SOURCE Equifax Inc.

FAQ

What did Equifax (EFX) report in the Social Services Outlook Index on December 4, 2025?

Equifax published a survey of 500 government social service workers showing 57% expect data/technology to boost efficiency in 2026 and 100% expect greater efficiency next year.

How many social service workers in the EFX survey expect more automation in 2026?

40% of respondents said they expect their day‑to‑day technology and automation use to increase significantly in the next year.

What are the top operational concerns cited in the Equifax EFX survey for 2026?

Top concerns were changing policies (49%), insufficient staffing (41%), and lack of automation (41%).

How does the EFX survey view applicants with gig or multiple income streams?

Nearly all respondents (98%) anticipate more applicants with multiple income streams, and 97% are at least somewhat confident they have needed information to help them.

What operational changes do caseworkers in the EFX survey support to improve efficiency?

Respondents favored simplifying eligibility/documentation (38%), increased internal communication (35%), and accessibility solutions (34%).