GovFacts | Understand Government

14 Min Read

What Is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?

In August 2026, Stanford researchers updated a study of U.S. payroll records. Employment among workers ages 22 to 25 in occupations exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) stood 19 percent below…

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17 Min Read

TrumpRx Drug Prices: Every Presidential Deals Medication

TrumpRx advertises Plavix for $15.95 with a 98 percent discount. On the Plavix product page, it tells insured patients to check their copay first; it may be lower. The discount…

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An Independent Team to Decode Government

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site focused on making government concepts and policies easier to understand — and government programs easier to access.

Our articles are referenced by trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.

Your Money & Home

What Happens to Your Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job

Losing your job can end your health insurance too. See how COBRA, marketplace plans, and Medicaid compare on cost, deadlines,…

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Why the Section 8 Waitlist Can Take Years

Section 8 waitlists can take years because of capped funding, housing shortages, and landlords who refuse vouchers, not paperwork delays.

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How to Cut Most of Your Junk Mail (and What You Can’t Stop)

Free tools like OptOutPrescreen and DMAchoice can clear out most credit offers, catalogs, and coupons cluttering your mailbox each week.

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Your Health & Safety

How the Juvenile Justice System Differs

Juvenile court differs from adult court in age limits, legal rights like those from the Gault case, and three ways…

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CHIP: How Kids Get Health Coverage

CHIP covers checkups, dental, vision, and mental health care for kids, with total family costs capped at 5 percent of…

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The Barriers People Face After Prison

Collateral consequences are legal barriers to jobs, housing, and voting that can outlast a prison sentence. Learn how to find…

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Your Voice & Rights

How to Find Out What’s on Your Ballot Before Election Day

See your ballot early using official state and county election sites, plus nonpartisan tools like Ballotpedia and Vote411 for candidates…

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Can You Still Vote If You’re in Line When Polls Close?

If you're in line when polls close, you can still vote. States like Virginia and California use lists or markers…

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What to Expect at the Polls on Election Day

Learn what happens at the polls on Election Day, from ID checks and check-in to accessible voting and provisional ballots,…

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Your World

How U.S. Counterterrorism Works

See how NCTC, FBI, DHS, CIA, NSA and the military divide counterterrorism duties, and how they coordinate under the laws…

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Who’s Actually in Charge of the U.S. Military?

The U.S. military chain of command runs president, Secretary of Defense, then combatant commanders, and troops must refuse illegal orders.

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The Fight Over America’s Public Lands

Explains who controls America's public lands, how four federal agencies split the job, and why grazing rules and monument fights…

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Why Family Green-Card Waits Can Last Decades

Learn how family visa categories, priority dates, and life events like marriage or death can affect a green card case…

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Trending Federal Guidance

Conceptual painting of traveler at a passport acceptance counter reviews a blank application packet with a clerk.

Understanding Your Passport Costs: A Clear Guide to Fees

Getting a U.S. passport is your ticket to international travel, but understanding the associated costs can be confusing. This guide breaks down the different fees for obtaining or renewing your…

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16 Min Read

Understanding the Social Security Earnings Limit

You can receive Social Security retirement or survivor benefits while still employed. However, if you…

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USPS Package Size Limits

Whether you're shipping products nationwide as a small business owner or sending gifts to loved…

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Official USPS Change of Address

Moving to a new home is an exciting chapter but it also comes with a…

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USPS Media Mail Rules and Restrictions

Media Mail is an economy shipping service provided by the USPS specifically for sending media…

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Other Top Federal Guidance

Conceptual painting of an employee and payroll specialist reviewing a blank time record.

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees: Understanding Your Rights Under the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the cornerstone of federal wage and hour law in the United States. Enacted…

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Conceptual painting of an applicant reviewing a benefits packet with a service worker.

Step-by-Step Guide for Applying for Social Security Benefits

Navigating Social Security benefits doesn't have to be complicated. This guide breaks down the application process for Retirement, Disability, and…

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The Standard Deduction for Federal Taxes

The Standard Deduction: What It Is and Why It Matters Official Definition and Purpose The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines…

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Conceptual painting of volunteers training to report weather observations.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Weather Spotter

When severe weather threatens, trained weather spotters provide crucial ground-truth observations that help meteorologists issue more accurate and timely warnings.…

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Two people review a suspicious letter before reporting possible benefits fraud.

Reporting Social Security Fraud: Your Guide to Protecting Benefits and Stopping Scams

The Social Security system provides a vital safety net for millions of Americans through retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Unfortunately,…

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What Happens If You Show Up Without ID?

What really happens if you show up to vote without ID, from provisional ballots to state rules and the cure deadlines some voters must meet for their vote to count.

GovFacts

19 Min Read

What Counts as Valid Voter ID?

Learn how voter ID rules differ by state, what documents count as valid ID, and what to do if you show up without one, based on federal law and NCSL…

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24 Min Read

Voter ID Requirements by State

Voter ID rules differ by state, from strict photo-ID laws to none at all. See what your state requires and what to do if your ID does not match.

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13 Min Read

How to Track Your Mail Ballot After You Send It

Learn how to track your mailed ballot through postal and election systems, decode status messages, and fix problems before deadlines pass.

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19 Min Read

Absentee vs. Mail-In Ballots: What’s the Difference?

Absentee and mail-in ballots differ by state: some require an excuse, others send ballots automatically. Learn the rules on deadlines and signatures.

GovFacts

19 Min Read

How to Vote by Mail: The Full Process

Learn the five steps to vote by mail: check eligibility, request your ballot, fill out the envelope correctly, return it early, and track it to catch rejections.

GovFacts

21 Min Read

How to Check If You’re Registered to Vote

Learn how to check your voter registration status online, what labels like inactive or pending mean, and what to do if your name is missing.

GovFacts

17 Min Read

Voter Registration Deadlines by State

See how voter registration deadlines vary by state, from 30-day cutoffs to same-day registration, plus how North Dakota and military voters differ.

GovFacts

21 Min Read

How to Register to Vote: A Step-by-Step Guide

A step-by-step guide to registering to vote online, by mail, or in person, covering required ID, proof of address, and state rules on age and eligibility.

GovFacts

19 Min Read