Our Editorial Standards

Where our information comes from

We start with the agency that runs the program. For every number, rule or deadline we publish, we go to the official source first. We link to those sources so you can check them yourself.

• Social Security Administration (SSA) — SSDI, SSI, retirement, survivor and work-limit rules
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — VA disability, health care, appeals and survivor benefits
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare and Medicaid rules, premiums and enrollment
• USDA Food and Nutrition Service — SNAP income limits, benefit amounts and state options
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — Housing choice vouchers, public housing and income limits

State agencies run many programs their own way, so state pages also use that state's own agency website for income limits, phone numbers and application links.

How we write

• Plain language. If a term needs jargon, we define it in our glossary.
• We say what the rule is, then what it means for you.
• We do not promise outcomes. Only the agency can decide your claim, your rating or your benefit amount.
• We do not invent statistics, quotes, testimonials or success rates. If we cannot source a number, we leave it out.
• Every guide points you back to the official application or form so you can file directly with the agency.

How we check and update pages

Benefit rules change, usually at least once a year. Cost-of-living adjustments, income limits, presumptive condition lists and filing rules all move. When they do, we update the pages and tools that use them.

• Pages that carry dollar amounts or limits are reviewed when the agency publishes a change.
• Our major guides and state pages show a last updated date.
• Outbound links are checked in batches so you do not land on dead agency pages.
• Calculators and estimators use the same published figures as the guides, so a number never disagrees with itself across the site.

Corrections

If something on this site is wrong, out of date or confusing, tell us. Use our contact form and include the page address and what looks wrong. We review corrections, fix what needs fixing, and update the page's last updated date so you can see it changed.

How we use AI

We use software, including AI, to help draft, organize and check our content, and to power features like our on-site guide assistant. AI does not get the final say. People decide what we publish, and every rule or number still has to trace back to an official source. Our assistant is built to point you to the agency and to our sourced pages, not to guess about your claim.

How we make money

BenefitKarma is free to use. We make money when someone chooses to be connected with a third-party professional, such as an accredited claims agent, a disability advocate or a law firm, and that company pays us for the referral. That is always your choice, it is never required to use our tools, and we tell you before any information is shared.

Advertising money does not decide what we write or how we rank guidance. We do not sell your personal information. Read our Privacy Policy for the details.

What we are not

BenefitKarma is a private company. We are not the SSA, the VA, Medicare, Medicaid or any other government agency, and we are not affiliated with them. We do not give legal or medical advice, and we do not file claims for you. Only the agency handling your program can decide your eligibility.

More about who we are is on our About page.