Trust & E-E-A-T

Trust is not something we ask for — it is something we earn through transparency, accuracy, and accountability. Here is exactly why you can trust the numbers on this site, and what we do when we get something wrong.

1. Every Number Comes From a Primary Government Source

We do not guess. We do not round. And we do not copy from other third-party websites. Every income limit, standard deduction, shelter cap, and allotment table on this site is traceable to an official government publication — specifically the USDA Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Income Eligibility Standards, the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR 273), or the Federal Register. When you see a number on our calculator, you can verify it yourself by clicking through to the source.

This matters because outdated or inaccurate third-party figures can lead real families to make real decisions based on wrong information. A family might decide not to apply because an old calculator said they were over the limit, when in reality the limits increased this year. We take that responsibility seriously.

2. We Use the Same Formulas County Caseworkers Use

Our calculator does not approximate. It implements the exact three-step eligibility test defined in federal law (7 CFR 273.9):

• Gross income test — Household income at or below 130% of FPL (or 200% in BBCE states)
• Net income test — Income after all deductions at or below 100% of FPL
• Asset test — Countable resources below the applicable limit (or waived under BBCE)

For the benefit amount, we use the same formula: maximum monthly allotment minus 30% of net income. We apply every deduction you are entitled to — standard, earned income (20%), excess shelter, medical expenses over $35 for elderly/disabled, dependent care, and child support — because those deductions can make the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.

3. Your Data Stays on Your Device

All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is sent to our servers. We do not store your inputs, your results, or any identifying information. We do not use cookies to track calculator usage. We do not ask for your email, name, or Social Security number. This is not a lead-generation tool disguised as a calculator — it is a calculator, period.

4. We Have Zero Financial Conflict of Interest

We are not affiliated with any government agency, legal firm, benefits enrollment service, or EBT card provider. We do not get paid more if you qualify. We do not sell your information to anyone. We do not earn commissions on applications. Our only revenue is from non-intrusive display advertising (Google AdSense), and our ad placement never influences our content or calculator results. Our editorial policy documents this commitment in detail.

5. We Update Within 30 Days of USDA Changes

When USDA publishes new income limits, deduction amounts, or allotment tables in the Federal Register, we update our calculator within 30 days. Every page on this site shows its last-reviewed date. We re-review all content at least quarterly — not just when a major change happens. Outdated numbers hurt people, and we treat recency as a core responsibility, not an afterthought.

6. Errors Are Corrected Transparently, Never Silently

If we discover an error — in a calculator formula, an income limit, or a written explanation — we fix it immediately and add a dated correction notice at the bottom of the affected page. We never silently edit errors and pretend they did not happen. If you find an error, you can report it via our contact page and we commit to investigating within 5 business days.

7. Content Is Written by a Named Human, Not AI

Every article, FAQ answer, and eligibility guide on this site is written by Wasim Akram based on direct research against primary government sources. AI tools (grammar checkers, readability assistants) are used only to polish language after the human-written draft is complete. AI is never used to generate facts, figures, eligibility rules, income limits, or calculator logic. When accuracy affects real people's access to food assistance, the distinction between human-verified and AI-generated content is not academic — it is critical.

8. Our Editorial Policy Is Public

We publish our complete editorial policy for anyone to read. It covers our sourcing standards, review process, corrections policy, AI usage disclosure, conflict of interest commitment, and contact information. If you want to know exactly how we produce content and what we do when something goes wrong, the answer is in that document — not buried in fine print.