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AidKit and GiveDirectly Launch AI-powered Initiative to Tackle Backlogs and Increase Efficiency in Public Benefits Enrollment

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Funded by a GitLab Foundation grant, the joint project supports deployment of AI innovations to help state and local agencies reduce caseload burden and improve access for eligible families

DENVER, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AidKit, a Public Benefit Corporation helping governments modernize benefit delivery, and GiveDirectly, a global leader in direct cash programs, have been awarded a grant from the GitLab Foundation’s AI for Economic Opportunity Fund, which supports frontline innovations that help people access opportunity and income with the help of cutting-edge technology. The funding will support the deployment of AI-powered tools to state and local government agencies to streamline enrollment, reduce backlogs, and ease administrative burdens, making it faster and easier for families to access the assistance they need.

Selected from over 400 applicants, AidKit and GiveDirectly are among 14 grantees sharing $3.5 million to develop innovations that boost economic mobility and unlock income opportunities for low-income communities. The 2025 grantee cohort aims to collectively unlock over $1 billion in new income for low-income communities. As part of this effort, AidKit is currently exploring opportunities to pilot AI-powered tools aimed at reducing backlogs with additional state and local public agencies.

“We believe AI should make government more human—not less,” said Brittany Christenson, CEO of AidKit. “When technology can take on the administrative drudgery of paperwork and red tape, caseworkers are free to focus on people, which is the key to increasing trust in public systems and delivering services with dignity and efficiency. By accelerating enrollment, we’re giving public servants the tools they need to meet rising demand without sacrificing quality or care.”

AidKit and GiveDirectly will work together to improve the application process for public benefits by integrating AI-driven conversational interfaces that simplify program discovery, identity verification, and completion of applications. These interfaces mimic human assistance in a scalable digital format, engaging applicants through text or voice-based interactions to help them navigate complex application processes more easily. By leveraging natural language AI, the system can handle complex queries, provide detailed explanations, and offer personalized guidance to ensure applicants understand requirements and submit accurate information.

AidKit’s broader solution combines these conversational tools with human-in-the-loop oversight, where humans remain actively involved in monitoring, guiding, or making final decisions supporting both applicants and administrators. While the digital assistant helps applicants complete forms and understand eligibility requirements, administrators benefit from automation that flags issues, reduces errors, and improves caseload processing—all while preserving transparency, compliance, and accountability.

“AidKit is helping to demonstrate how technology can be used thoughtfully to deliver aid and benefits in ways that recognize the dignity and complexity of the individuals being served,” said Cassandra Madison, member of AidKit’s Board of Directors and the chief operating officer at the Center for Public Sector AI. “At a time when public trust and the needs of communities are evolving, AidKit offers a model for building human-centered systems that better meet people where they are.”

The AI tools will be first deployed through GiveDirectly’s Rx Kids program, which delivers support funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to new mothers and families. The initial implementation will serve 5,000 individuals and is designed to scale to millions more across government aid programs.

“GiveDirectly is grateful to work with our long-time partner AidKit to improve the enrollment process for thousands of applicants to our direct cash transfer programs,” said Laura Keen, Acting U.S. Country Director at GiveDirectly. “The GitLab Foundation funds will enhance accessibility while reducing human error and inefficient information collection efforts. With the help of an AI-powered tool, applicants will receive responses in real time. The more streamlined our verification and enrollment processes are, the more aid we can deliver directly to individuals living in poverty.”

Over the past three years, AidKit and GiveDirectly have partnered on 10 direct cash programs, reaching over 35,000 recipients and distributing $150 million. AidKit’s platform has powered more than 200 aid programs, processed 500,000+ applications, and facilitated $290 million in assistance.

For state and local agencies interested in partnering with AidKit to pilot AI-powered tools in aid administration, contact AidKit at partnerships@aidkit.cloud.

About AidKit
AidKit is a Public Benefit Corporation that helps government agencies and large nonprofits administer aid programs efficiently and transparently. AidKit’s secure technology platform is designed to address the complex challenges of large-scale aid distribution. It automates workflows, accelerates disbursements and reduces administrative burden, either as an all-in-one platform or through adaptable modular solutions to meet the unique needs of each initiative. With integrated fraud prevention and real-time caseload management tools, the platform ensures programs operate with precision, compliance and accountability while safeguarding sensitive data. Drawing on a proven track record of successful implementations, AidKit delivers comprehensive support that expands operational capacity and elevates service delivery for its partner agencies. Whether deploying disaster relief programs or accelerating benefits modernization, AidKit delivers results that maximize impact and build public trust. Founded in 2021, AidKit, a woman-led company, has supported over 200 agencies and nonprofits, processing 500,000+ applications and distributing $290 million in aid to more than 90,000 recipients. For more information, visit AidKit.com.

Media contact:
Michael Tebo
Gabriel Marketing Group (for AidKit)
Phone: (703) 829-6089
Email: michaelt@gabrielmarketing.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aidkit-and-givedirectly-launch-ai-powered-initiative-to-tackle-backlogs-and-increase-efficiency-in-public-benefits-enrollment-302452858.html

SOURCE AidKit

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FranklinWH Introduces Enhanced 15 kWh aPower in Australia and New Zealand

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Expansion comes as policy shifts and rising power costs accelerate demand for residential energy storage

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH, a leading provider of whole-home energy management and battery storage solutions, today announced the launch of its enhanced 15 kWh aPower battery in Australia and New Zealand, as demand for residential energy storage continues to grow, driven by evolving policy settings and increasing interest in energy independence.

The updated aPower builds on the company’s established platform, increasing usable capacity from 13.6 kWh to 15 kWh and raising warrantied throughput from 43 MWh to 60 MWh, an increase of 40 percent. These updates deliver more usable energy over the life of the system while maintaining the same footprint and price.

“The energy landscape is shifting quickly, and more homeowners are thinking beyond the upfront specs to what really pays off over time,” said Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia. “This upgrade is about delivering more performance over the life of the system, more usable energy, greater throughput, while staying true to our ‘buy once, buy right’ philosophy.”

The increase in warrantied throughput translates into savings for homeowners. Based on typical usage patterns and an electricity rate of A$0.35 per kilowatt-hour, the additional throughput may represent up to approximately A$5,950 in value over the lifetime of the system. The increase in usable capacity also improves energy density, lowering the effective cost per kilowatt-hour and supporting more efficient use of stored energy.

The 15 kWh configuration also aligns with current and upcoming policy frameworks benefitting residential battery adoption. This includes the updated Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with changes coming into effect for Australian homeowners from 1 May, 2026, helping households maximise value as incentives continue to evolve.

As the residential battery market expands, FranklinWH continues to focus on reliability and system performance. The aPower incorporates design elements to support durability, including structural reinforcement to reduce cell stress over time, per-cell temperature monitoring, and the separation of the battery pack and control systems to maintain reliable performance.

“We believe performance should be measured over years, not just at installation,” Ruskin added. “We focus on building systems that deliver consistent, reliable results over time. That long-term perspective is what ultimately defines value for homeowners.”

The aPower is designed to operate as part of the FranklinWH System, an integrated home energy management platform that coordinates energy generation, storage, and consumption. The system is designed to optimise multiple energy inputs, provide reliable backup power, and support more efficient and independent energy use at the household level.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System. FranklinWH is a market-oriented, research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Located in Macquarie Park, Sydney with a global head office in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions.

Contact: Media@franklinwh.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/franklinwh-introduces-enhanced-15-kwh-apower-in-australia-and-new-zealand-302759086.html

SOURCE FranklinWH Australia Pty Ltd

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Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

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Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

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Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

on

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Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

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