We’re solving big problems
Millions of people use federal government services every day. Veterans apply for health care. Immigrants apply for naturalization. Too often, outdated tools and complex systems make these interactions cumbersome and frustrating.
To improve these services, USDS hires mission-driven professionals into term-limited ‘tours of civic service.’ By working alongside civil servants, they help address some of the most critical needs.
Delivering a better government experience
Our small, highly empowered teams use their expertise to develop human-centered solutions to the federal government’s most pressing technical challenges. Explore a few of our projects.
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Internal Revenue ServiceFiling taxes for free with IRS’ Direct File
USDS partnered with the IRS to deliver the IRS Direct File Pilot, a free way for eligible people to file their taxes for free, directly with the IRS.
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Social Security AdministrationContinuously improving SSA.gov
The Social Security Administration is building on the momentum from their partnership with the U.S. Digital Service by implementing iterative research, best practices, and a data-informed approach to ensure the website is usable and useful.
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Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPreparing for the next pandemic while building tech for COVID-19
We worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to quickly create and scale technology programs that digitize and share infectious disease test results in real-time.
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Health and Human ServicesModernizing the child care application process
USDS partnered with ACF’s policy and subject matter experts to create a Model Child Care Assistance Application and eligibility verification practices that met federal guidelines and demonstrated the “art of what’s possible.
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Cross-agencyOptimizing benefits for families
Working alongside The Department of Treasury and the White House, we built ChildTaxCredit.gov to educate families about the expanded Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit. The USDS team relied on in-depth research to create a site that is accessible, easy-to-read, and provides resources to find free tax services.
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Cross-agencyChanging how the government hires technical talent
We helped develop a process that allows HR to leverage subject matter experts to evaluate candidates for specialized roles. The result restores fair and open access for all applicants, shortens the hiring timeline, and ensures applicants are truly qualified.
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Veterans AffairsSimplifying Veteran‑facing services through VA.gov
Each month, over 10 million people attempt to access the digital tools and content at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have historically struggled to find what they’re looking for. Digital modernization efforts needed to focus on improving the user experience.
USDS in the news
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USDS head Mina Hsiang wants Big Tech’s best minds to help fix the government
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Supplying baby's needs: Newborn kits alleviating stress for parents
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Trump squeezed America's geek squad. Biden built it back stronger
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Mina Hsiang helped save Healthcare.gov a decade ago. Today she’s rewriting the government tech playbook
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The White House’s tech team, 10 years after HealthCare.gov
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DC’s 2023 Tech Titans
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This little-known program has played a central role in the U.S. government's coronavirus response
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How tech workers in the government could make everyone’s life easier: ‘Get rid of the paper’
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How a Star Wars crab became a Federal agency’s Twitter avatar
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This simple technological fix helped veterans get health benefits
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Uncle Sam wants you to join the United States Digital Service
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Tech-starved government seeks industry’s best, brightest
We are a community
When you join USDS you become part of a vibrant, supportive group of humans. Check out our social media channels to see more USDS moments.