This fall, Seattle’s CiviForm platform earned a spot on Time Magazine’s list of Best Inventions of 2025, while also surpassing a significant milestone of over 50,000 applications for various benefit and discount programs. Developed in partnership with Exygy, Google.org, and local community organizations, CiviForm enables residents to easily reuse their information to apply for multiple programs simultaneously, streamlining access to vital resources.
Inspired by Seattle’s success, cities like Bloomington, Indiana, and Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as the state of Arkansas, have adopted the CiviForm platform, highlighting its innovative approach to connecting residents with available benefits. The platform has already helped thousands in Seattle save money through city discount and benefit programs.
In 2025, the City has received more than 19,000 applications for benefits and discounts, marking it as the busiest year for CiviForm yet, with two months still remaining. The average application time has dramatically decreased from 30 minutes to just 7 minutes since the platform’s launch. Households qualifying for assistance could potentially save up to $65,000 through various programs offered, including $3,300 on childcare, $13,000 on the Seattle Preschool Program, and up to $24,000 on home repairs.
A central aim of the Affordable Seattle initiative is to ensure equitable access to public benefits and discounts for all residents. CiviForm provides information and applications in seven languages besides English, and a recent multilingual marketing campaign resulted in a fourfold increase in website visits. Notably, nearly 15% of applications were submitted by non-English speakers. Additionally, a new user interface launched in June exceeds federal accessibility standards, further enhancing the application process.
In a significant development, all City departments that manage benefit and discount programs have entered into a data-sharing agreement. This means that when residents verify eligibility for one program, that information can be utilized by other City programs, reducing the need for residents to resubmit documentation and improving efficiency for City staff.
One of the most sought-after benefit programs is Fresh Bucks, which assists low-income residents in purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and local stores. A waitlist for Fresh Bucks was introduced on CiviForm in March 2025, attracting over 4,000 applicants. To address this demand, Mayor Harrell has proposed nearly doubling the city’s investment in the program, adding an additional $6 million.
In 2025, the City has successfully integrated five new programs into CiviForm, including:
– Home Repair Loan Program
– Fresh Bucks Waitlist Application
– Astound Internet First
– Free Toilets for Low-Income Homeowners
– 2025 Trees for Neighborhoods
Looking ahead, the City plans to onboard three additional key programs in the coming year: the Utility Discount Program, Emergency Bill Pay programs for utility services, and Emergency Rental Assistance and Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance. This expansion will enable residents to access even more essential resources through a single platform.
