Sources and method
Where our information comes from
We use primary government sources only:
- Social Security Administration (ssa.gov): retirement, spouse, survivor and SSI rules and amounts.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (cms.gov) and medicare.gov: Medicare premiums, deductibles, drug coverage limits, Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program limits.
- Federal Register: the yearly federal poverty guidelines.
- State agencies: state Medicaid, SNAP and other state programs, as state guides are added.
Every figure on this site is listed on our numbers page with a link to its source and the date we last checked it.
How often we check
- Every October and November: we add the new year’s federal amounts as they are announced and check every one against the source. The site switches to the new amounts on January 1.
- Every three months: we check state and local rules.
- When a law changes: we update the affected pages.
How the benefits check works
The benefits check compares your answers with this year’s federal rules for each program. It runs entirely in your web browser: your answers are not sent to us or anyone else and are not saved.
It gives an estimate, not a decision. Programs count some income and savings in special ways, and only the agency that runs a program can decide whether you qualify. If the check says a program is worth checking, it is worth applying or calling.
State results will use PolicyEngine US, an open-source model of U.S. benefit rules, which we run on our own server so your answers never go to a third party.
Mistakes
If you find something wrong, please contact us. We correct errors as soon as we confirm them.