SNAP Maximizer
Role: Senior Product Designer @ Propel
Team: CEO, Director of Policy Innovation
Timeline: Nov–Dec 2023
background
Approximately 40 million Americans check their SNAP/food stamps balance by calling a 1-800 number or using a clunky government website provided by their state or county. Propel (formerly Providers) is an app that allows people to check their food stamp balance instantly.
SNAP allotments are calculated by factors like household size, monthly income, and monthly expenses. While it seems as straightforward as a simple calculator with 3 variables, each case or family’s circumstance is unique. While life changes happen – like getting divorced, having a baby, or making less income – people may be eligible for more SNAP and often aren’t aware.
objective
What if navigating public benefits could feel like a reliable friend who has your back, maximizing dollars for those who need it most?
Propel had the rare opportunity to showcase a demo to Bill Gates as part of their Economic Mobility Day in Seattle. In a 3-week sprint, our small team came up with the vision of an AI public benefits agent for good – a SNAP Maximizer – leveraging technology that could proactively advocate for users of the social safety net, at the right place and right time.
outcomes + learnings
In August 2024, the Gates Foundation granted Propel a $3.5m grant to develop and test AI-powered tools for benefits management.
“...This effusive feedback is quite rare, and we are thrilled to take advantage of the momentum spurred from the Demo Day.” – Sr. Program Officer @ Gates Foundation
The demo and presentation itself was a great success, garnering both momentum from Bill Gates’s excitement and the broader energy of builders at Propel who deeply believe in our mission of connecting low-income Americans to innovative tech.
In less than 4 weeks, we built a compelling vision from just a few words and ideas jotted on paper – generating both new ideas and learnings from scrappy live demos from recent experimentation. With quick design thinking and consultation from experts in government/policy, public benefits, and LLM/Data Science, I was able to gain more domain knowledge of the users we serve.
It’s so exciting to envision a world where AI can safely automate some of the most frustrating, dehumanizing headaches of outdated government systems for those who are living in poverty. I will hopefully have more to share in 2025!
Role: Senior Product Designer @ Propel
Team: CEO, Director of Policy Innovation
Timeline: Nov–Dec 2023
background
Approximately 40 million Americans check their SNAP/food stamps balance by calling a 1-800 number or using a clunky government website provided by their state or county. Propel (formerly Providers) is an app that allows people to check their food stamp balance instantly.
SNAP allotments are calculated by factors like household size, monthly income, and monthly expenses. While it seems as straightforward as a simple calculator with 3 variables, each case or family’s circumstance is unique. While life changes happen – like getting divorced, having a baby, or making less income – people may be eligible for more SNAP and often aren’t aware.
objective
What if navigating public benefits could feel like a reliable friend who has your back, maximizing dollars for those who need it most?
Propel had the rare opportunity to showcase a demo to Bill Gates as part of their Economic Mobility Day in Seattle. In a 3-week sprint, our small team came up with the vision of an AI public benefits agent for good – a SNAP Maximizer – leveraging technology that could proactively advocate for users of the social safety net, at the right place and right time.
outcomes + learnings
In August 2024, the Gates Foundation granted Propel a $3.5m grant to develop and test AI-powered tools for benefits management.
“...This effusive feedback is quite rare, and we are thrilled to take advantage of the momentum spurred from the Demo Day.” – Sr. Program Officer @ Gates Foundation
The demo and presentation itself was a great success, garnering both momentum from Bill Gates’s excitement and the broader energy of builders at Propel who deeply believe in our mission of connecting low-income Americans to innovative tech.
In less than 4 weeks, we built a compelling vision from just a few words and ideas jotted on paper – generating both new ideas and learnings from scrappy live demos from recent experimentation. With quick design thinking and consultation from experts in government/policy, public benefits, and LLM/Data Science, I was able to gain more domain knowledge of the users we serve.
It’s so exciting to envision a world where AI can safely automate some of the most frustrating, dehumanizing headaches of outdated government systems for those who are living in poverty. I will hopefully have more to share in 2025!
Role: Senior Product Designer @ Propel
Team: CEO, Director of Policy Innovation
Timeline: Nov–Dec 2023
background
Approximately 40 million Americans check their SNAP/food stamps balance by calling a 1-800 number or using a clunky government website provided by their state or county. Propel (formerly Providers) is an app that allows people to check their food stamp balance instantly.
SNAP allotments are calculated by factors like household size, monthly income, and monthly expenses. While it seems as straightforward as a simple calculator with 3 variables, each case or family’s circumstance is unique. While life changes happen – like getting divorced, having a baby, or making less income – people may be eligible for more SNAP and often aren’t aware.
objective
What if navigating public benefits could feel like a reliable friend who has your back, maximizing dollars for those who need it most?
Propel had the rare opportunity to showcase a demo to Bill Gates as part of their Economic Mobility Day in Seattle. In a 3-week sprint, our small team came up with the vision of an AI public benefits agent for good – a SNAP Maximizer – leveraging technology that could proactively advocate for users of the social safety net, at the right place and right time.
outcomes + learnings
In August 2024, the Gates Foundation granted Propel a $3.5m grant to develop and test AI-powered tools for benefits management.
“...This effusive feedback is quite rare, and we are thrilled to take advantage of the momentum spurred from the Demo Day.” – Sr. Program Officer @ Gates Foundation
The demo and presentation itself was a great success, garnering both momentum from Bill Gates’s excitement and the broader energy of builders at Propel who deeply believe in our mission of connecting low-income Americans to innovative tech.
In less than 4 weeks, we built a compelling vision from just a few words and ideas jotted on paper – generating both new ideas and learnings from scrappy live demos from recent experimentation. With quick design thinking and consultation from experts in government/policy, public benefits, and LLM/Data Science, I was able to gain more domain knowledge of the users we serve.
It’s so exciting to envision a world where AI can safely automate some of the most frustrating, dehumanizing headaches of outdated government systems for those who are living in poverty. I will hopefully have more to share in 2025!