Editorial Guidelines
These guidelines define our editorial standards. They cover how we choose what to publish, how we maintain accuracy, how we handle affiliate relationships, and how we address conflicts of interest.
Accuracy first
Every factual claim on GetBenefits.tools — particularly numerical values that affect eligibility — must be verifiable against an official US government source. See our methodology page for the full source list and verification process.
When we are uncertain about a fact, we say so explicitly. When rules vary by state, household composition, or circumstances, we present that variation rather than oversimplifying.
Editorial independence from affiliate partners
GetBenefits.tools earns revenue through affiliate partnerships with financial service providers, currently CreditFirm.net via the Awin affiliate network. Our editorial decisions are made independently of these relationships. Specifically:
- We never publish content recommending a service we believe is harmful or low-quality, regardless of compensation offered.
- When we recommend an affiliate partner, we disclose the relationship clearly and prominently on the page.
- We include honest alternatives — including free options — alongside any paid recommendation.
- We list the pros and cons of every recommended service, including the situations where it is not the right choice.
- Our affiliate partners do not see or approve our content before publication.
FTC compliance and affiliate disclosure
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, every page that contains affiliate links includes a clear and conspicuous disclosure at or near the top of the page. We do not bury disclosures in footers, use vague language like "may earn a commission," or rely solely on small-print legal disclaimers.
Corrections
When we publish an error, we correct it promptly and transparently. Significant corrections are noted at the bottom of the affected page with the date and nature of the change. See our corrections policy for the full process.
Source citation
Every page that makes factual claims about benefits eligibility, amounts, or rules includes inline links to the relevant official source. We prefer linking to the specific page where the rule is documented rather than to general agency homepages.
Conflicts of interest
The editor of GetBenefits.tools, Xavier C.H., has no professional or personal relationship with any US government benefits program or its administration. He is not a current or former employee of any US benefits agency, has no equity stake in any of the affiliate partners featured on this site beyond standard affiliate marketing relationships, and does not receive any compensation from any government program or political entity.
What you should expect from us
If you read content on GetBenefits.tools, you can expect:
- Information sourced from official US government agencies.
- Clear identification of what is a hard rule versus what varies by situation.
- Direct links to the government agency you need to apply or get a definitive answer.
- Honest disclosure when we have a financial relationship with a service we mention.
- Calculators that are estimates — never substitutes for an official eligibility determination.