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How We Verify Information

Last updated: May 24, 2026

Accuracy is fundamental to our mission. We understand that people rely on our content to make decisions about applying for programs that affect their access to technology, connectivity, and essential online services. Inaccurate information could lead someone to waste time on an application they do not qualify for, or miss a benefit they are entitled to. This page explains our fact-checking process in detail.

Our Verification Process

Every piece of content goes through a structured verification workflow:

  1. Source identification: We identify the primary official sources for any claim before writing. This includes FCC publications, USAC documentation, official provider websites, state agency resources, and relevant federal legislation.
  2. Cross-referencing: We verify key facts against multiple independent official sources whenever possible. If a claim cannot be verified through at least one authoritative source, we either exclude it or clearly label it as unverified.
  3. Editorial review: Policy and Program Review Desk reviews all content for factual accuracy, logical consistency, and potential misleading implications before publication.
  4. Claim assessment: We evaluate whether each claim is current, properly qualified, and presented with appropriate context. Claims about program availability always include funding status and temporal qualifiers.
  5. Regular audits: We periodically re-verify published content against current official sources and update pages when program details change.

Sources We Trust

We prioritize official and authoritative sources in the following order:

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) official publications and orders
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) documentation and program data
Official provider websites and FCC-filed documentation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Federal Poverty Guidelines)
State government agency websites (Medicaid, SNAP, public utility commissions)
Congressional legislation text and committee reports
Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on telecommunications programs

What We Do Not Do

  • We do not present unverified claims as established facts.
  • We do not use third-party "news" sites of questionable reliability as primary sources.
  • We do not fabricate program details, eligibility criteria, or provider information.
  • We do not present provider marketing claims as confirmed facts without independent verification.
  • We do not use social media posts, forum comments, or anonymous tips as source material.
  • We do not copy content from other informational websites without independent verification.

How We Handle Uncertainty

Government programs change frequently, and there are cases where information may be uncertain or evolving. When we encounter uncertainty, we follow these principles:

  • We use qualified language such as "may," "typically," or "depends on" rather than making absolute claims.
  • We disclose when a program's future is uncertain (such as ACP funding status).
  • We recommend that readers verify critical details with official sources before acting.
  • We note when provider offerings may vary by state, time period, or inventory.

Our Standard: We would rather under-promise and direct readers to official sources than risk publishing inaccurate information that could mislead someone about their eligibility or program availability.

Corrections Policy

If you find an error on our website, please contact us immediately. We take correction requests seriously and follow this process:

  1. We acknowledge receipt of the correction request.
  2. We investigate the claim against our sources and, if needed, consult additional official sources.
  3. If the error is confirmed, we update the content promptly and adjust the "Last updated" date.
  4. For significant factual corrections, we add a correction note to the affected page.

Related Policies and Resources

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