Editorial Standards and Methodology

Our mission for accuracy and clarity

Our mission is to give people clear, honest, and realistic information about free and low cost tablet options. Government benefit programs and provider offers change often, so it is easy for confusing or outdated advice to circulate online. We try to reduce confusion and help readers understand what is actually possible in 2025, not what used to be available years ago.

We write in plain language so that someone who is tired, stressed, or new to online forms can still follow the steps. We also try to highlight common mistakes and risks, such as sharing sensitive data on untrusted sites or ignoring recertification reminders.

How we choose topics

We select topics by listening to the questions that low income households and community partners ask most often. We group these questions into themes such as free tablet with EBT, documents needed for applications, state specific programs, and support for seniors, students, veterans, and disabled Americans.

Before we publish a new guide, we check that:

• The topic has ongoing importance for U.S. households who rely on benefits or have limited income.
• There are recent or ongoing changes in policy or funding that need simple explanation.
• We can point to at least one official or nonprofit source that supports the key facts.

Sources we rely on

When we create or update a guide, we start with primary or official sources whenever possible. Typical examples include:

• Federal agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission for Lifeline and program history.
• Official program pages and notices about funding changes or new rules.
• State broadband offices, digital equity plans, and local library or nonprofit initiatives.
• Public information published on provider websites about their offers and requirements.

We sometimes consult secondary sources such as news reports or reputable nonprofit blogs to understand context. If we rely on a secondary source for an important point, we try to cross check that information with at least one additional source.

Writing and review process

Our primary author, Michael Reyes, drafts each guide using a structured outline that covers eligibility, documents, steps, and common issues. Michael has years of experience helping people complete applications for communication and public benefits, which informs the examples and tips used in our content.

For each article, we follow a simple process:

1. Draft the article based on official rules, real questions from households, and recent program news.
2. Check that all statements that could affect eligibility or expectations have a source and are not misleading.
3. Review the article for plain language, removing jargon or unclear references.
4. Mark the publication date and assign a review date based on how fast the landscape is changing.

You can learn more about Michael and his background on our Author page.

How we handle updates and corrections

Programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program and various tablet offers can change quickly. When we become aware of a change that affects a guide, we try to update the article as soon as practical. We then refresh the "Updated" line on the page and add an entry to our Change Log.

If you notice information that seems outdated or incomplete, you can contact us with the details. We welcome links to official announcements or screenshots that show new program rules. While we cannot guarantee instant changes, we take correction requests seriously and review them against primary sources.

Independence and potential referrals

TechConnect Relief is an independent education project. We are not a government office and we do not belong to a phone or internet carrier. Our editorial decisions are based on what we believe will help readers make informed choices about their own situation.

At times, we may link to third party comparison sites or providers that make it easier for readers to review offers in one place. These links do not change our standards. We do not promise that any external site will approve your application or that specific device models will be in stock. We encourage you to treat our referrals as one option, not the only path.

How we think about risk and scams

Many people who search for free tablets are heavily targeted by scams and fake offers. Because of this, we try to highlight risk in every major guide. We clearly warn readers not to pay large upfront fees to unknown companies, not to share full Social Security numbers by text or chat, and to double check web addresses before entering any personal data.

When we learn about new scam patterns, we may publish or update a warning article that explains what to watch out for. These articles usually link to government consumer protection pages so that readers can see how to report fraud and protect themselves and their families.

Limits of our content

Our guides are educational only. They are not legal advice, financial advice, or official eligibility decisions. We cannot guarantee that you will receive a tablet or service discount, even if you meet the examples we describe. Providers and agencies always make final decisions based on their rules and documents.

We strongly recommend that you verify details on the official websites of government agencies and providers before you submit any application or payment. If a guide on our site conflicts with what you see on a current official page, trust the official page and consider sending us a correction request so that we can review and adjust our content.