How we check sources

USABob guides are only useful if you can trust them. Here is how we write and check them, and what we don’t do.

Official sources first

Each specific fact links to where it came from, usually a government agency such as the FTC, FCC, IRS, Social Security, CMS, CFPB or CISA, or a state law, court or agency page. When a state rule matters, we link to that state’s own official page. If we can’t find and check an official state page, we say so and point you to a free national service instead of guessing.

A date on every guide

Every guide shows when we last checked its sources, near the top and again in the Sources list at the bottom. When we change what a guide says, the guide shows that date too.

Plain English

We write in short sentences with big type. When we have to use an acronym, we spell it out. Checklists and template letters are general, so you can adapt them to your situation.

No paid placement

No one pays to be mentioned in a USABob guide, and we don’t pick or recommend specific professionals. Right now there are no ads, affiliate links or paid listings on USABob. If that changes, each one will be clearly labeled, and paying will never change what our guides say. See About and the note at the bottom of every page.

What we are not

USABob is not a government agency, law firm, lender, insurance agency or medical provider, and does not give legal, financial, insurance or medical advice. If something here doesn’t match what an agency tells you, trust the agency.

Found a mistake?

Please tell us which page and what looks wrong. We check it against the official source and fix the guide if we got it wrong.

Looking for your state’s official pages? See help by state.