BENEFITKARMA
    Benefits Newsroom
    Free tools for everyone

    Free Tools Built for
    Real People

    Free calculators, estimators, scores and checklists for VA, SSDI and legal claims. Answer a few questions and get a plain-English result. No sign-up needed to start.

    Free, do-it-yourself tools. You stay in control.

    • All tools are free to use, always
    • No obligation to do anything else
    • Your information stays private
    • Expert help is optional and consent-based

    Start Here

    Recommended

    Not sure where to begin? Start with a free screener to see which benefits or cases may fit you.

    Popular
    Free screener
    All

    Benefit Eligibility Screener

    What benefits might I qualify for? Answer a few questions and see VA, disability, food, housing, and health programs that may fit you.

    Take the Quiz
    Popular
    Free screener
    Legal

    Mass Tort Case Screener

    Could a recalled drug or product I used be part of a lawsuit? Answer a few questions and see which cases may match.

    Start Screening

    Social Security Disability (SSDI) Tools

    Thinking about SSDI? Free calculators, estimators and checklists for work credits, earnings limits, pay and appeals.

    Free calculator
    SSDI

    SSDI Work Credits Calculator

    Have I worked enough to get SSDI? Estimate your work credits and the date your coverage may end.

    Check My Credits & Coverage Date
    Free score
    SSDI

    SSDI Application Readiness Score

    Am I ready to apply for SSDI? Answer a few questions and get a readiness score with the factors that may matter.

    Get My SSDI Score
    Free checklist
    SSDI

    SSDI Evidence Checklist

    What records do I need for SSDI? Build a personal list of medical and work records to gather.

    Build My Checklist
    Free calculator
    SSDI

    SSDI Earnings Limit Checker

    Can I work and still get SSDI? Enter your monthly pay and see if it may be over the earnings limit.

    Check My Limits
    Popular
    Free estimator
    SSDI

    SSDI Benefit Estimator

    How much could SSDI pay me each month? Get a ballpark estimate based on your work history.

    Get My Estimate
    Free explorer
    SSDI

    SSDI Appeal Options Explorer

    Was my SSDI claim denied? See your appeal steps and deadlines in plain language.

    Get Started

    Coming soon: a free DIY SSDI application helper. Fill out your application yourself, step by step.

    VA Benefits Tools

    Filing a VA claim? Free tools to estimate your pay, protect your start date, get your records and build your claim.

    Popular
    Free estimator
    VA

    VA Lifetime Benefit Estimator

    How much more could a higher VA rating pay over time? Compare monthly, yearly, and lifetime pay at two ratings.

    Compare My Benefits
    Popular
    Free review
    VA

    Free VA Records Review (C-File)

    Want to know what's in your VA file? A VA-accredited attorney requests your full C-File, we review it, and you get a plain-language summary with possible next steps. It usually takes 2–4 weeks.

    Get My Free Review
    Free form helper
    VA

    DIY VA Intent to File Helper

    How do I protect my VA start date myself? Fill out your own Intent to File online in a few steps.

    Secure My Date
    Free score
    VA

    VA Claim Readiness Score

    Is my VA claim ready to file? Answer 4 quick questions and get a readiness score with next steps.

    Check My VA Score
    Free calculator
    VA

    VA Disability Pay Calculator

    How much could my VA rating pay each month? Enter your ratings and family details to see your combined rating and estimated pay.

    Check My VA Estimate
    Free form helper
    VA

    DIY VA Disability Claim Builder

    How do I fill out a VA disability claim myself? Answer plain-language questions and complete your own application step by step.

    Start My Claim

    VA Appeals Tools

    Got a VA decision you disagree with? Compare your options, check your deadlines and estimate back pay.

    Popular
    Free explorer
    VA

    VA Appeal Options Explorer

    Disagree with a VA decision? Compare Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, and Board Appeal side by side.

    Explore My Options
    Free score
    VA

    VA Appeal Strength Score

    How strong might my VA appeal be? Check common strength signals like timing and evidence and get a score.

    Check My Signals
    Free timeline
    VA

    VA Appeal Deadline Timeline

    When are my VA appeal deadlines? Enter your decision date and see your review deadlines on a simple timeline.

    See My Timeline
    Free summary builder
    VA

    VA Appeal Summary Builder

    How do I explain my appeal to a helper? Build a one-page summary you can share with an advocate.

    Generate Summary
    Free estimator
    VA

    VA Appeal Back Pay Estimator

    What could a winning appeal be worth? Estimate back pay and the change in monthly pay from a higher rating.

    Estimate My Appeal Value

    Personal Injury Tools

    Hurt in an accident? See what to do first, what proof to save and what shapes a claim's value.

    Popular
    Free explorer
    Legal

    Injury Claim Value Explorer

    What affects how much an injury claim is worth? See the common factors, like medical bills and lost pay, in plain language.

    Get My Breakdown
    Free checklist
    Legal

    Accident Evidence Checklist

    What proof should I save after an accident? Build a checklist of photos, records, and bills to keep your claim organized.

    Build My Pack
    Free checklist
    Legal

    First 48 Hours After an Accident Checklist

    What should I do right after an accident? Follow a step-by-step list for the first hours and days.

    Start Checklist

    Mass Tort Tools

    Used a recalled drug or product? See the records you may need and how these cases work.

    Free screener
    Legal

    Mass Tort Case Screener

    Could a recalled drug or product I used be part of a lawsuit? Answer a few questions and see which cases may match.

    Check My Case
    Free checklist
    Legal

    Mass Tort Records Checklist

    What records do I need for a mass tort case? Get a simple list of the records commonly requested.

    Build My Checklist
    Free timeline
    Legal

    Mass Tort Case Timeline

    How long does a mass tort case take? See each stage and how long cases can often take.

    See Timeline
    Free explorer
    Legal

    Mass Tort Compensation Factors Explorer

    What can affect the value of a mass tort case? See the common factors in plain language.

    Explore Now
    Not sure where to start?

    Discover Your Benefits

    Take our 2-minute quiz to find out which benefits you may qualify for, then get matched with the right tools.

    Start Free Eligibility Check

    Questions About Our Free Tools

    Yes. Every calculator, estimator, score, checklist and screener on BenefitKarma is free to use. There is no subscription and no paid tier. Some tools offer optional expert help at the end, but you never have to use it to see your results.

    No, not for most tools. You can answer the questions and see your results without signing up. A free account lets you save your progress, come back later, and reuse your answers in other tools so you type less.

    A calculator runs a known formula, like how the VA combines ratings. An estimator gives a ballpark number, like a possible SSDI payment. A score looks at your answers and shows how ready or strong things may look. None of them is an official decision.

    Our tools use the official 2026 rates and rules published by agencies like the VA and Social Security. Results are estimates to help you plan. The agency that handles your claim makes the final decision, and your real amount may be different.

    No. BenefitKarma is a private company that makes free educational tools. We are not part of the VA, Social Security, or any other government agency. Our tools help you understand the rules and get ready to use the official process.

    No. Most tools only show you information. They do not send anything to an agency and cannot change your current benefits. A few tools, like the Intent to File helper and the records request tool, prepare forms, and they always tell you before anything is sent.

    Yes. We use encrypted connections, and we do not sell your personal information. We only share your details with a third-party professional if you choose expert help and agree to it first. You can read the full details in our Privacy Policy.

    If you are not sure, start with the Benefit Eligibility Screener. It asks a few questions about your situation and shows programs you may qualify for. From there, it points you to the calculators and checklists that fit your needs.

    You enter each of your VA ratings and your family details. The calculator uses the VA's combined ratings method, which does not simply add percentages, and shows your combined rating and the estimated 2026 monthly pay for that rating.

    An Intent to File tells the VA you plan to file a claim. It can hold your possible start date for up to one year while you gather records. The helper walks you through the form in plain language so you can protect that date sooner.

    Your VA claims file is often called a C-File. With our free records review, a VA-accredited attorney requests your full file, we review it, and you get a plain-language summary with possible next steps. It usually takes 2–4 weeks, and can show what may be missing before you file or appeal.

    Most Veterans can choose a Higher-Level Review, a Supplemental Claim, or a Board Appeal. Each works best in different situations. The VA Appeal Options Explorer compares them side by side so you can see which one may fit your case.

    For most decisions, you have one year from the date on your decision letter to choose a review option. The VA Appeal Deadline Timeline shows your key dates on a simple timeline so you do not miss one.

    No. It gives an estimate based on the ratings and dates you enter and the 2026 pay rates. Your real back pay depends on the VA's decision and your effective date, so use the number to plan, not as a promise.

    SSDI uses work credits earned from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. Most adults need about 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years, but younger workers may need fewer. The Work Credits Calculator gives you an estimate and the date your coverage may end.

    Sometimes. Social Security sets a monthly earnings limit. Earning over it can affect your SSDI. The Earnings Limit Checker compares your monthly pay to the current limit so you can see where you may stand before taking more hours.

    Your SSDI payment is based on your lifetime earnings, not on how serious your condition is. The SSDI Benefit Estimator gives a ballpark monthly amount from your work history. Your my Social Security account shows your official estimate.

    Many first claims are denied, and you can usually ask for Reconsideration within 60 days of your notice. After that come a hearing, the Appeals Council, and federal court. The SSDI Appeal Options Explorer explains each step and its deadline.

    No. The Injury Claim Value Explorer explains the factors that often shape a claim, like medical bills, lost pay and recovery time. It does not give a settlement number. Only a lawyer who reviews your facts can talk about value.

    A mass tort is a lawsuit where many people say the same drug, product or exposure harmed them. Each person keeps their own claim. The Mass Tort Case Screener shows which open cases may match what you used, and the timeline shows how long they often take.

    Your Privacy Matters

    We use cookies for site analytics and to improve your experience. Marketing and personalization stay off unless you opt in. Privacy Policy. You can customize your preferences anytime.