United States (US)
The United States is a federation of 50 states and the District of Columbia spanning six time zones from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in United States.
Login.gov / ID.me
The US does not have a unified national digital ID — the Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit number, not a modern digital ID. Login.gov (operated by the General Services Administration) and ID.me (private contractor) are the federated identity providers for accessing federal government services online. They verify your identity once and let you log in to multiple federal agencies. Some states also use one or both; others have their own identity systems.
How to get it: Login.gov: create an account at login.gov with your email and phone number; for higher-assurance services, verify your identity by uploading a state-issued ID (driver's licence or passport) and taking a selfie. ID.me: similar process at id.me, requires video interview for some services. Both are free.
E-Government Portal
https://www.usa.govUS digital government is significantly fragmented — each federal agency maintains its own portal, login system, and user experience. Login.gov is a partial consolidation effort. State and local governments have separate portals with huge variation in digital maturity. California, Washington, and Colorado have relatively advanced state digital services; many states lag. Physical paperwork is still common (e.g., many court systems, motor vehicle departments). The IRS Direct File programme (launched 2024, expanding 2026) is a major step forward for free direct tax filing.
Essential Apps
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Zillow
FreeAmerica's leading real estate marketplace for apartment and house rentals, home sales, and price history across all 50 states and major cities.
IRS2Go
FreeOfficial IRS app to check refund status, make payments, find free tax help, and get tax tips. Essential during tax season.
USPS Mobile
FreeUS Postal Service app for package tracking, Informed Delivery, schedule pickups, find post offices, and calculate postage.
SSA my Social Security
FreeSocial Security Administration portal. Check earnings record, estimate benefits, apply for retirement/disability/Medicare. Essential for retirement planning.
USCIS Case Status
FreeCheck the status of your USCIS immigration case by receipt number. Case updates and processing time estimates.
Login.gov
FreeFederated identity for logging into federal agency websites. Required to access SSA, USPS, VA, and many other federal services.
IRS Direct File
FreeFree federal tax filing from the IRS for eligible filers (expanding in 2026). No third-party software needed.
Medicare Plan Finder
FreeCompare Medicare plans, check coverage, find providers. Essential for Americans 65+ and Medicare-eligible residents.
USAJobs
FreeOfficial US federal government job board. All federal civilian positions are posted here.
Google Maps
FreeEssential navigation and local business discovery app. Transit schedules in most cities. De facto US navigation standard.
Venmo / Zelle
FreePeer-to-peer payment apps. Venmo for social payments (splitting bills). Zelle integrated into most US bank apps for fast transfers. PayPal also widely used.
Uber / Lyft
FreeRide-hailing apps — ubiquitous across US cities. Uber also offers food delivery (Uber Eats).
DoorDash / Instacart
FreeDoorDash for restaurant delivery (dominant US leader); Instacart for grocery delivery from supermarkets. GrubHub and Uber Eats also major players.
Weather.gov app
FreeNational Weather Service app. Severe weather alerts, forecasts, tornado/hurricane/flood warnings. Crucial in tornado/hurricane regions.
FEMA
FreeFederal Emergency Management Agency app. Disaster preparedness, shelter locator, disaster assistance application, emergency alerts.
Cash is used less frequently than in most countries — card and mobile payments dominate. Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap-to-pay cards) are widespread but still not universal. Major banks have robust mobile apps with Zelle integration for free instant transfers between US bank accounts. Venmo (owned by PayPal) is the dominant social payment app.