CleverDings Plain comparisons of household help apps

Best benefits eligibility finders in 2026

Compare USA.gov Benefit Finder, BenefitsCheckUp, mRelief, Propel, findhelp and Benefit Buddy, with what each does and how to pick.

By CleverDings ยท

CleverDings is published by the makers of Benefit Buddy, Postal Buddy and Packing Buddy, which are compared here alongside other apps.

Pick by your situation. BenefitsCheckUp provides a free tool to find programs and learn how to apply online. [1] mRelief is a nonprofit that helps people sign up for food stamps. [2] Propel checks EBT balances and offers ways to save money. [3] Findhelp offers resources for food pantries, meal programs, housing, financial assistance, and health care. [4] USAGov is the official guide to government information and services. [5] Benefit Buddy covers programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and WIC, plus perks you may already have. [6] [7]

OptionWhat it doesCost stated by its source
USA.gov Benefit FinderOfficial guide to government information and services [5]not published
BenefitsCheckUpFree tool to find programs and learn how to apply online [1]Free tool [1]
mReliefScreener online or by text [8]not published
PropelEBT balance checking and benefits tools [3]App completely free to use [9]
findhelpResources for food, housing, financial help and health care [4]not published
Benefit BuddyHousehold check across programs and perks [10]Finding benefits is free; Plus costs $4.99 a month [11]

How to read this list

They differ in who they serve and what they do once they find something.

mRelief is a nonprofit that helps people sign up for food stamps. [2] Propel checks EBT balances and offers ways to save money. [3] Findhelp has resources for food pantries, meal programs, housing, financial assistance and health care. [4] Benefit Buddy lists perks you may already have through your health plan, insurance, credit cards, memberships and job. [7]

Propel says it makes money through advertising. [12] Check each tool's own page for anything not covered here, such as which states or programs it handles.

USA.gov Benefit Finder: the official government guide

USAGov is the official guide to government information and services. [5]

It is an official website of the U.S. General Services Administration. [13]

The facts available here do not describe how its benefit finder works or which programs it covers. Before you start, check what questions it asks and which programs it lists.

BenefitsCheckUp: a free tool to find programs

It provides a free tool to find programs and learn how to apply online. [1]

mRelief: help signing up for SNAP

mRelief is a nonprofit that helps people sign up for food stamps. [2] It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. [14]

Its eligibility screener can be completed online or by text. [8]

If you are likely eligible for SNAP, mRelief says it shows you how to apply. [15]

It says it has served 5,743,496 individuals. [16] It also says it has helped people access $2,275,610,563 in SNAP benefits. [17]

Propel: a free app for EBT balances and benefits tools

Propel checks EBT balances and offers ways to save money. [3] It says the app is completely free to use. [9]

It offers balance checking in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories. [18]

Propel says it makes money through advertising. [12]

It says the app has over 5 million users. [19] It also says it has over 1 million 5-star ratings. [20]

findhelp: resources for food, housing, money and health care

Findhelp offers resources for food pantries, meal programs, housing, financial assistance, and health care. [4]

Its page does not say which states or neighborhoods it covers for a household. Check what a search for your area shows before you rely on it.

Benefit Buddy: household check across programs and perks

Benefit Buddy is made by the team that publishes this site.

You tell it about your household in a few sentences and answer a few questions. [10] It covers programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and WIC, plus your state's versions under their own names. [6]

For each benefit it says whether you qualify, what step is in the way, or which question would settle it, quoting the provider. [21] It also lists perks you may already have through your health plan, insurance, credit cards, memberships and job. [7]

You can add a document such as a tax return, W-2, 1099, IRS transcript or DD-214 instead of writing. [22] You can tick benefits off as you use them or dismiss ones you don't want. [23]

Finding benefits is free for everyone, signed in or not. [24]

How to choose

If you want a free tool to find programs and learn how to apply online, BenefitsCheckUp provides one. [1]

If food assistance is your main need, mRelief is a nonprofit that helps people sign up for food stamps and offers a screener online or by text. [2] [8]

If you already get EBT and want to check your balance, Propel checks EBT balances. [3]

If you need a food pantry, housing or other local help, findhelp lists resources for those. [4]

If you want an official government starting point, USAGov is the official guide to government information and services. [5]

If you want one check across programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP and WIC, plus perks from plans and memberships, Benefit Buddy does that. [6] [7]

Frequently asked questions

What is a benefits eligibility finder?

It is a tool that asks about you or your household and points to programs or services you may qualify for. mRelief is a nonprofit that helps people sign up for food stamps. [2] Findhelp offers resources for food pantries, meal programs, housing, financial assistance, and health care. [4] Check each tool's page for what it covers.

Is BenefitsCheckUp free?

BenefitsCheckUp says it provides a free tool to find programs and learn how to apply online. [1]

Is the Propel app free?

Propel says the app is completely free to use. [9] It also says it makes money through advertising. [12] It also says the app checks EBT balances and helps you save money. [3]

Which tool helps with SNAP?

mRelief is a nonprofit that helps people sign up for food stamps. [2] mRelief's screener can be taken online or by text. [8] Benefit Buddy also covers SNAP among other programs like Medicaid, CHIP and WIC. [6]

Is Benefit Buddy free to use?

Finding benefits is free for everyone, signed in or not. [24] A paid plan called Plus costs $4.99 a month. [11] You can also try a shared demo account without signing in, and it resets every day. [25]

Finding benefits is free; Plus costs $4.99 a month. [11]

Try Benefit Buddy

Sources

  1. BenefitsCheckUp, benefitscheckup.org, read 2026-10-07
  2. mRelief, mrelief.com, read 2026-10-07
  3. Propel, propel.app, read 2026-10-07
  4. findhelp, findhelp.org, read 2026-10-07
  5. USA.gov Benefit Finder, usa.gov/benefit-finder, read 2026-10-07
  6. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  7. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  8. mRelief, mrelief.com, read 2026-10-07
  9. Propel, propel.app, read 2026-10-07
  10. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  11. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  12. Propel, propel.app, read 2026-10-07
  13. USA.gov Benefit Finder, usa.gov/benefit-finder, read 2026-10-07
  14. mRelief, mrelief.com, read 2026-10-07
  15. mRelief, mrelief.com, read 2026-10-07
  16. mRelief, mrelief.com, read 2026-10-07
  17. mRelief, mrelief.com, read 2026-10-07
  18. Propel, propel.app, read 2026-10-07
  19. Propel, propel.app, read 2026-10-07
  20. Propel, propel.app, read 2026-10-07
  21. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  22. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  23. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  24. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)
  25. Benefit Buddy's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

Related comparisons