About us
Government help,
without the maze.
US benefits are split between federal agencies, 50 states and DC, and thousands of local offices. We bring the rules into one place, in plain English, and link every fact back to the agency that runs it.
What we do, and what we don't
- Explain who qualifies, what you could get and how to apply
- Show which parts are federal and which depend on your state
- Point you to the official office or website to apply
- Help you find free legal aid and local help
- Work for any federal, state or local agency
- Take applications or decide who gets benefits
- Ask for your Social Security number or bank details
- Give legal advice about your own case
How we check our facts
US programs change at different times: Social Security each January, SNAP each October, and state rules whenever a legislature acts. So we check on each program's own calendar.
Rules and amounts come from the agency that runs the program, such as SSA or USDA.
For shared programs, we check your state agency's own rules and limits.
Short sentences, real examples, and a clear note of what varies by state.
Each program is re-checked when its amounts usually change, and the date is shown.
When amounts usually change
Social Security and SSI: The yearly cost-of-living increase is announced in October and paid from January. The 2027 increase is 3.6%.
Where our information comes from
Only official .gov sources for rules and amounts.
Coverage by state
Our federal program guides apply everywhere. State-specific guides — your SNAP agency, Medicaid rules, unemployment — are being added state by state.
Federal guides only, for now
Common questions
Are you a government website?
No. Benefits Guidance is independent. To apply, always use the official agency website, office or phone line. Official US government sites end in .gov.
Why does my state matter so much?
Federal programs set the floor — every state follows the same federal rules for SNAP income limits, Social Security amounts and Medicare premiums. But programs like Medicaid, unemployment insurance and CHIP are jointly run, so your state sets additional eligibility rules, income limits and payment amounts on top of the federal base.
How current are the amounts?
Each page shows the date it was last checked and links to the official source. Social Security and SSI figures are current for 2027 (after the 3.6% COLA). SNAP figures reflect FY2027 allotments effective October 1, 2026. Medicare Part B shows the 2026 standard premium of $185/month.
Do you store what I enter in your tools?
No. Every tool on this site runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to our servers, stored in a database or shared with any third party. The tools work without an account, login or cookies.
Is there a Spanish version?
Not yet. We are building in English first and plan to add Spanish pages for the most-used programs. In the meantime, SSA.gov has full Spanish-language content at ssa.gov/espanol.
Spotted a mistake?
Tell us. We check it against the official source and reply within 5 business days.
Need help with your own case? Find free help at LawHelp.org or call 211.