At the beginning of the pandemic, many government organizations rapidly transformed their operations to assist individuals and families in need. While these efforts addressed immediate needs, they also demonstrated how a phased approach will be critical to long-term transformation that goes beyond the rapidly developed point solutions that characterized some COVID-19 relief programs. This paper outlines how social services agencies can take a modular approach to modernization to automate key business processes underpinning assistance programs — from personalized advice, the application process, and eligibility verification through payment — to drive lasting transformation.