INFORMATIONAL DISCLAIMER
This article is for general informational and navigational guidance only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or benefits counseling advice. Program availability, portal features, and eligibility criteria change over time. Always verify information through official government sources — websites ending in .gov — before taking any action.
The information you need to find financial benefits you may qualify for is largely available online — through government websites and portals specifically built for this purpose. But for many people, those portals feel more like a maze than a map. Unclear navigation, unfamiliar terminology, and uncertainty about which sites are actually official create friction that prevents people from using tools that were built to help them.
This guide exists to remove that friction. It walks through the main official portals for finding federal, state, and nonprofit-tracked benefits, explains how to use the screening tools they offer, and shows you how to read and act on the results. It also covers a practical reality that gets too little attention: the internet is full of websites that look like government benefit portals but aren’t — and knowing how to tell the difference protects you from wasting time or exposing personal information to the wrong parties.
You don’t need technical skills or prior experience with government websites to use this guide. The portals described here are designed to be accessible to general audiences, and the process of using them is more straightforward than it might appear from the outside. The main requirements are a device with internet access, about 20 to 30 minutes, and a basic understanding of your household’s income and composition.
Whether you’re starting a benefits search for the first time or returning to see what has changed since your last review, this guide provides a practical framework for using official digital tools to find programs that may be available to you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Government Benefit Portals Are and Why They’re Useful
- The Main Official Portals Worth Knowing About
- How to Use a Benefits Screening Tool Step by Step
- How to Read and Interpret Results From a Government Portal
- What to Do After You’ve Identified Programs Through a Portal
- How to Stay Safe and Avoid Misleading Sites That Mimic Official Portals
- FAQs About Using Government Portals to Find Benefits
What Government Benefit Portals Are and Why They're Useful
A government benefit portal is a website — typically operated by a federal, state, or nonprofit organization — that provides a centralized entry point for information about public assistance programs and, in many cases, a screening tool that identifies which programs a household may be eligible for based on answers to a series of questions.
What portals do — and don’t do
The most important distinction to understand upfront is the difference between a screening tool and an application. A screening tool — sometimes called a pre-screener, eligibility checker, or benefits finder — asks questions about your household’s circumstances and returns a list of programs you may qualify for. It is not an application. Using a screening tool does not enroll you in any program, does not commit you to anything, and in most cases does not transmit any personally identifying information to any program or agency.
An application is a separate process — typically completed through the website or office of the specific program you want to apply for. Screening tools help you identify which programs are worth applying for; the application is what formally requests enrollment. Understanding this distinction removes a significant barrier for many people: the fear that using a portal means signing up for something or committing to a process you’re not ready for. Screening is simply information-gathering.
Why portals are useful even if you think you know what’s available
Even people who have done benefits research before benefit from using portals periodically. Program eligibility rules change, new programs are created, income thresholds are updated, and personal circumstances evolve. A portal that screens across hundreds of programs simultaneously surfaces options that targeted, category-by-category research might miss — including programs in adjacent categories that you hadn’t thought to investigate, and programs that have been expanded or modified since your last review.
Portals are also useful for households that have experienced a major life change — a job loss, a new baby, a move, a health event, a change in income — because the changed circumstances can be entered fresh and the results reflect the current situation rather than a past snapshot.
The limitations of portals
Portals are useful starting points, not comprehensive sources of truth. Most federal portals cover federal programs but have limited visibility into state-specific and locally-administered programs. Some state portals are more comprehensive than others. Results from a portal screening are based on the answers provided — inaccurate answers produce inaccurate results. And portal results are preliminary — actual eligibility is determined by the program itself through a formal application process, and a portal result showing potential eligibility is not a guarantee of enrollment.
The most effective approach is to use multiple complementary tools — a federal portal, a multi-program nonprofit screening tool, and a local resource like 211 — rather than relying on any single source. This guide covers each of those layers.
The Main Official Portals Worth Knowing About
The following portals are the primary legitimate starting points for federal and multi-program benefits searches. Each serves a different scope and audience. Understanding what each one covers helps you choose the right starting point for your situation.
Federal Government Portals
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official federal government portal for finding and learning about federal benefit programs. It hosts a benefit-finding tool called the Benefit Finder — accessible through the main navigation — that asks a series of questions and returns a list of federal programs you may be eligible for. The portal covers more than 1,000 federal benefit programs across categories including food, housing, health, income, education, veterans’ benefits, and more. Benefits.gov is operated by the federal government, does not charge any fees, and does not require account creation for the basic screening function.
USA.gov — Benefits, Grants, and Loans
USA.gov is the federal government’s main public-facing information portal, and its benefits section provides an organized directory of major federal assistance programs along with links to their official websites for application. It is less of an interactive screening tool and more of a structured directory — useful for reading about specific programs and navigating to official application sites. USA.gov also provides information on unclaimed money, government grants, and other financial resources beyond standard assistance programs.
HealthCare.gov
HealthCare.gov is the official federal marketplace for health insurance purchased under the Affordable Care Act. For households seeking health coverage, it is the correct starting point for comparing plans, calculating premium subsidies, and beginning an application for marketplace insurance. The portal also screens for Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and can refer eligible applicants to their state’s Medicaid system for enrollment. Open enrollment runs from November through January annually, with special enrollment periods available for qualifying life events.
SSA.gov — Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)
The Social Security Administration’s website provides information and applications for Social Security programs including retirement benefits, disability insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The BEST tool at ssa.gov screens for SSA-administered programs specifically. For households where SSI, SSDI, Medicare enrollment, or Extra Help for prescription costs are relevant, the SSA website is the primary starting point.
Multi-Program Nonprofit Portals
BenefitsCheckUp
BenefitsCheckUp is operated by the National Council on Aging and is one of the most comprehensive benefits screening tools available. It covers over 2,500 federal, state, and local programs across all 50 states — significantly broader than federal-only portals. It is specifically designed with older adults in mind but is useful for households of all ages and compositions. The screening takes 15 to 20 minutes, is free, and does not require registration or disclosure of personally identifying information to generate initial results. For most households beginning a comprehensive benefits review, BenefitsCheckUp is the most valuable single tool available.
211.org — Social Services Directory
211.org and the associated 211 phone service connect individuals with local social service organizations, assistance programs, and community resources. Unlike screening tools that identify program eligibility based on answers to questions, 211 connects you with trained specialists who assess your situation and identify relevant local resources — including programs that don’t appear in national databases. The 211 service is particularly valuable for local emergency assistance, local food resources, housing assistance, and programs operated by community nonprofits that have minimal online presence. It is best used as a complement to portal screening, not a substitute.
FindHelp.org (formerly Aunt Bertha)
FindHelp.org is a social care network that connects individuals with free and reduced-cost local assistance programs including food, housing, transit, health, and financial assistance. It uses a zip code search to surface locally relevant programs, including many community organizations and nonprofits that don’t appear in government directories. The platform is used by hospitals, health systems, and social workers as a referral tool, and is available directly to individuals at no cost. For finding local programs beyond federal and state databases, FindHelp.org is one of the most useful tools available.
WHICH PORTAL SHOULD YOU START WITH?
For a first comprehensive review: Start with BenefitsCheckUp. It covers the broadest range of programs and is designed for general audiences.
For federal program information and navigation: Use Benefits.gov or USA.gov.
For health coverage specifically: Use HealthCare.gov.
For Social Security and Medicare programs: Use SSA.gov.
For local programs and emergency assistance: Call 211 or use 211.org.
Using two or three of these tools in combination gives the most complete picture.
How to Use a Benefits Screening Tool Step by Step
Benefits screening tools are more similar to each other than they appear on the surface. Once you understand the general process, using any of them becomes straightforward. The following walkthrough uses BenefitsCheckUp as the example — it is the most comprehensive tool and most representative of how screening works across portals.
STEP 1 | Navigate to the official portal and locate the screening tool
Open your browser and type the portal address directly — for BenefitsCheckUp, that is benefitscheckup.org. Do not search for the portal by name in a search engine and click a paid advertisement or sponsored result; navigate directly using the URL. Once on the portal, look for a button, link, or navigation item labeled something like ‘Check Eligibility,‘ ‘Find Benefits,’ ‘Get Started,’ or ‘Benefits Screener.’ On BenefitsCheckUp, this is the primary call-to-action on the homepage.
STEP 2 | Enter your zip code or location
Most screening tools begin by asking for your zip code or general location. This allows the tool to include state and local programs relevant to where you live. Enter your current zip code accurately — not a neighboring zip or the nearest city — because program availability and eligibility can vary at the zip code level, particularly for local programs.
STEP 3 | Answer the household composition questions
The tool will ask about your household — typically the number of people in your household, whether any are under 18, whether any are 60 or older, and whether any have a disability. Answer these questions accurately. ‘Household’ in this context typically means people who live with you and whose finances are combined with yours, though the definition may differ slightly by program. If you’re unsure how to answer a specific question, most tools provide a brief explanation when you hover over or click on the question.
STEP 4 | Enter household income information
Income questions typically ask for gross monthly or annual household income from all sources — employment, self-employment, Social Security, pension, disability payments, child support, and others. Enter the combined gross income of all household members who are included in your household composition. If your income is irregular or you’re unsure of the exact figure, use your best estimate — the results will be approximate in any case and actual eligibility is confirmed through the formal application process. The screening does not verify or store your income information; it uses it only to generate the results.
STEP 5 | Answer additional category-specific questions
Many tools ask additional questions based on your household profile — questions about health coverage status, housing situation, whether you have medical expenses, whether you’re a veteran, whether you’re pregnant or recently postpartum, and so on. These questions allow the tool to identify programs in specific categories. Answer them as accurately as you can. You can typically go back and change answers if you realize you made an error before submitting.
STEP 6 | Review and submit to generate results
After completing the questions, the tool will present a results page showing programs you may be eligible for. Review this page carefully. Most tools allow you to filter or sort results by category, by benefit amount, or by how confident the tool is in the match. Take note of programs you want to investigate further — you can typically save, print, or email your results from most portal tools.
STEP 7 | Return and update when circumstances change
A single screening session is a snapshot of one point in time. If your income changes, your household composition changes, or you experience a major life event, the results may be different. Building a habit of returning to the tool annually — or whenever something significant changes — ensures your benefits picture stays current. Some tools allow you to create an account to save your answers and track what programs you’ve applied for, which makes subsequent reviews faster.
PRIVACY DURING SCREENING
Benefits screening tools on official government and established nonprofit portals do not transmit your screening answers to programs or agencies — the answers are used only to generate your results within the tool. You will not receive calls or mail from programs simply because you completed a screening. Actual applications to programs require you to actively choose to apply. If a website claims it will ‘automatically submit your information’ to programs after you complete a screening, this is not how official tools work and is a red flag for a non-legitimate site.
How to Read and Interpret Results From a Government Portal
Screening results are useful but require some interpretation. A list of programs is not a guarantee of eligibility, and the way results are presented can be confusing if you don’t know what to look for. The following explains what the most common result elements mean and how to use them.
Understanding ‘may qualify’ language
All reputable screening tools present results as potential matches rather than confirmed eligibility. Language like ‘you may qualify,’ ‘this program may apply to you,’ or ‘based on your answers, you appear to meet some criteria for this program’ reflects that the tool is making a preliminary assessment based on limited information. Actual eligibility is determined by the program itself through a formal application. Do not dismiss a result because it says ‘may’ rather than ‘will’ — for most programs, screening matches translate into actual eligibility at a meaningful rate.
Reading program descriptions effectively
For each program in your results, most tools provide a brief description, a note on what the program covers, and a link to the program’s official website for more information. Read the description to confirm that the program is relevant to your household’s actual needs. Some programs that appear in results may be technically applicable based on your answers but not practically useful — a senior nutrition program that applies to household members over 60 may not be worth prioritizing if the senior in the household is already well-served in that category, for example.
Prioritizing your results list
Results lists can be long — sometimes dozens of programs. Working through every result simultaneously is impractical. A more effective approach is to prioritize by impact and by readiness. For impact: identify the programs that address your most significant current financial pressure — housing, food, health coverage, income — and focus there first. For readiness: identify programs where you already have the necessary documentation and where the application process is relatively straightforward, and start there to build momentum.
Within your priority categories, look for programs that appear on multiple tools’ results. If Benefits.gov and BenefitsCheckUp both surface the same program, that convergence is a stronger signal than a program appearing in only one tool’s results.
Handling programs you don’t recognize
Your results will often include programs you haven’t heard of. This is expected — many state and local programs have little public profile despite having significant benefit amounts. For programs you don’t recognize, the next step is simply to click through to the program’s official website and read its description. Don’t dismiss an unfamiliar program — unfamiliarity is precisely why using a portal is valuable.
What to do with ‘no results’ or very few results
If a screening produces very few results or none, there are several possible explanations. Your income may be above the thresholds for most income-tested programs. Some of your answers may have inadvertently excluded relevant programs — going back and checking that you answered each question as intended is worthwhile. Or you may genuinely not qualify for income-tested assistance, in which case the review has provided useful information about your situation. Even in this case, checking non-income-tested programs — energy efficiency rebates, employer benefits, tax credits, unclaimed property — may surface applicable items.
What to Do After You've Identified Programs Through a Portal
A screening results list is the beginning of a process, not the end. The following steps convert a list of potential programs into actual benefits.
Build a short working list
From your full results list, create a short working list of three to five programs that are highest priority based on your assessment. Writing these down — even in a notes app — gives you a concrete next task rather than a diffuse research project. Include the program name, the administering agency or website, and a brief note on why it’s relevant to your situation.
Visit each program’s official website
For each program on your working list, visit its official website — typically a .gov domain or a clearly identified government agency site — and read the full eligibility requirements, not just the summary you saw in the portal results. Confirm that your household meets the criteria described, note what documentation is required for an application, and identify the application process and any relevant deadlines or enrollment periods.
Gather documentation before starting applications
Most assistance program applications require similar core documentation: government-issued photo identification, proof of current address, income documentation, Social Security numbers or documentation for household members, and for some programs additional documents specific to the program category. Gathering this documentation once and storing it in a folder — physical or digital — before starting applications dramatically reduces the friction of completing each application. Having documentation ready before you start is the difference between an application that takes 20 minutes and one that takes three days.
Apply to multiple programs simultaneously
Once documentation is gathered, apply to all priority programs at the same time rather than waiting to hear from one before starting another. Applications are processed independently, and there is no disadvantage to having multiple applications in process simultaneously. Programs that take longer to process don’t delay programs that process quickly, and being on multiple programs simultaneously is common and appropriate.
Track your applications
Keep a simple record of each application: the program name, the date submitted, the application method (online, phone, mail, in person), any confirmation number received, the contact information for the agency, and the expected processing timeline. This record is your reference point for following up and for documenting your application activity if questions arise.
Use the portal again after a period
After completing the current round of applications, set a reminder to return to the portal in 12 months or following any significant life change. New programs may have been added, existing programs may have expanded their eligibility, and your own circumstances may have changed in ways that open new options. A benefits review is not a one-time event — it is a recurring financial maintenance task, similar to reviewing insurance coverage or monitoring account fees.
IF THE PORTAL PROCESS FEELS OVERWHELMING
If navigating portals independently feels difficult — due to language, literacy, disability, lack of internet access, or simply not knowing where to start — free help is available. Many libraries provide free internet access and staff who can assist with basic online navigation. Community action agencies provide free benefits navigation assistance in person. SHIP counselors provide free help specifically for Medicare-related programs. Calling 211 connects you with a local specialist. You do not have to do this alone, and there is no cost for any of these assistance services.
How to Stay Safe and Avoid Misleading Sites That Mimic Official Portals
The topic of government benefits attracts significant fraudulent and misleading activity online. Sites that mimic official government portals, charge fees for free services, collect personal information deceptively, or make false promises about guaranteed benefits are common and sophisticated. Knowing how to identify them protects both your time and your personal information.
The .gov rule
Official U.S. federal and state government websites use the .gov top-level domain. This domain is restricted — only verified government organizations can register .gov addresses. When navigating to a government benefit portal, verify that the URL ends in .gov before entering any personal information or taking any action based on the site’s content. Sites ending in .com, .net, .org, .info, or other domains may be legitimate — BenefitsCheckUp at .org and 211.org are examples of legitimate nonprofit tools — but they are not official government sites. A .gov domain is not a guarantee of quality, but the absence of .gov on a site claiming to be a government portal is a clear warning sign.
Official portals do not charge fees
All legitimate government benefit programs and official portal screening tools are completely free to use. No federal, state, or legitimate nonprofit portal charges a fee to search for benefits, complete a screening, or access results. If a website asks for payment — in any form, including ‘processing fees,’ ‘application fees,’ ‘priority access fees,’ or ‘service fees’ — before allowing you to search for or access information about benefits, leave the site immediately. You are looking at a non-legitimate resource.
Legitimate sites do not guarantee specific results
Reputable portal tools present results as potential matches and use language like ‘you may qualify’ rather than guaranteeing enrollment or specific benefit amounts. A site that promises you will ‘definitely receive’ a specific dollar amount, claims to have ‘found money in your name,’ or guarantees approval before any application has been submitted is making claims that no legitimate portal can make. These are common patterns in scam operations that use benefits language to extract fees or personal information.
Be cautious about unsolicited contact
Government agencies and legitimate benefit programs do not typically contact individuals unsolicited — by phone, email, or text message — to inform them they have money available or to collect personal information. If you receive unsolicited contact claiming to be from a government agency about available benefits, verify independently by navigating directly to the agency’s official website or calling a phone number you independently locate from that site — not a number provided by the person contacting you. Real government agencies have listed contact information, and verifying through an independent channel costs nothing.
Red flags to watch for on any benefits-related website
The following characteristics are warning signs that a site may not be legitimate:
- The URL does not end in .gov for a site claiming to be a government agency
- The site asks for payment in any form to access benefit information or results
- The site asks for a Social Security number, bank account information, or credit card number during a ‘screening’ process — legitimate screens don’t require this
- The site uses urgent language such as ‘claim your benefits now before the deadline’ or ‘limited availability’
- The site promises guaranteed approval or specific dollar amounts before any application
- The site’s design and content appear to impersonate a government agency but the URL does not match
- The site charges a ‘consultation fee’ or ‘processing fee’ to help you access programs that are free to apply for
- Search results show paid advertisements for government benefit portals — legitimate government portals do not advertise through paid search results
What to do if you’ve given information to a suspicious site
If you’ve already provided personal information — including a Social Security number, financial account details, or payment information — to a site that now appears suspicious, take action promptly. Check your credit report for unusual activity. Contact your bank or financial institution if payment information was shared. Consider a credit freeze if sensitive identifying information was provided. Report the suspicious site to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Acting quickly after a potential exposure reduces the risk of lasting harm.
HOW TO VERIFY A SITE IS OFFICIAL
Three reliable ways to verify that a benefits-related website is legitimate:
- Check the URL — federal and state government sites end in .gov. No exceptions.
- Search for the program by name at Benefits.gov or USA.gov — legitimate federal programs will be listed there, and you can follow the link from the official portal to the program.
- Call the agency directly using a phone number from the .gov site — not a number provided by the site you’re questioning. A brief confirmation call resolves most uncertainty.
FAQs About Using Government Portals to Find Benefits
Do I need to create an account to use a benefits screening tool?
No. Most major benefits screening tools — including Benefits.gov’s Benefit Finder and BenefitsCheckUp — do not require account creation to complete a screening and view results. Account creation is optional on most platforms and is primarily useful for saving your results and comparing future screenings. For a first-time screening, you can complete the process and review results without creating any account or providing any personally identifying information.
Will completing a screening sign me up for any programs?
No. Screening tools identify programs you may be eligible for — they do not apply to those programs on your behalf. The screening and the application are completely separate processes. After reviewing your screening results, you choose which programs to investigate further and which to apply for. Nothing is submitted to any agency or program until you actively start a formal application through that program’s official channel.
Is the information I enter into a screening tool kept private?
On official government and established nonprofit portals, your screening answers are used only to generate your results and are not transmitted to government agencies, programs, or third parties. Benefits.gov and BenefitsCheckUp have clear privacy policies available on their sites. That said, it is always good practice to read a site’s privacy policy before entering information, and to verify that you are on a legitimate site — via the .gov URL check or other verification methods described in this guide — before entering any personal or financial information.
The portal says I may be eligible but I was denied when I applied. Why?
Portal results are preliminary estimates based on limited information. Actual eligibility is determined by the program through a formal application that reviews your documentation, verifies your information, and applies the program’s specific rules. Common reasons for denial after a positive screening include: income was higher when verified than estimated in the screening, household composition was defined differently by the program than in the screening, documentation was incomplete or didn’t meet program requirements, or the program has additional eligibility criteria the screener didn’t capture. A denial is not necessarily permanent — check the denial notice for the specific reason, and consider whether an appeal or a reapplication with additional documentation is appropriate.
I don’t have reliable internet access. How can I use these tools?
Public libraries provide free internet access and in many cases have staff who can assist with basic online navigation. Many benefits screening tools can also be completed on a smartphone. For households without any internet access or comfort with online tools, calling 211 provides access to a trained specialist who can conduct a similar needs assessment by phone and connect you with relevant local programs. Community action agencies also provide in-person benefits navigation assistance for residents in their service area.
The portal only showed federal programs. How do I find state and local options?
Federal portals like Benefits.gov are strongest for federal programs. For state and local programs, BenefitsCheckUp at benefitscheckup.org covers the broadest range of state and local programs nationally. Your state government’s official website — searchable by state name plus ‘benefits portal’ or ‘assistance programs’ — provides state-specific information. And 211 surfaces local programs that don’t appear in national databases. Using all three layers — federal portal, BenefitsCheckUp, and 211 — gives the most comprehensive picture.
Can I use these portals to apply for benefits, or only to screen?
Most portal tools are screening-only — they identify programs but don’t process applications. However, many portals provide direct links to each program’s official application site from within the results. For some programs, portals have integrated application pathways — HealthCare.gov, for example, is both a screening and application platform for marketplace health insurance and Medicaid. SSA.gov allows both screening through BEST and application for Social Security programs. The portal description for each tool in this guide notes whether it includes an application function or is screening-only.
Are there portals specifically for seniors, veterans, or other groups?
Yes. BenefitsCheckUp is specifically designed for adults 55 and older and includes programs across hundreds of categories relevant to seniors. VA.gov is the primary portal for veterans’ benefits and services. For people with disabilities, the Social Security Administration website and your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency are key starting points. HealthCare.gov is the primary portal for marketplace health insurance and Medicaid regardless of demographic group. The general portals — Benefits.gov and BenefitsCheckUp — also serve all populations and include category filters that allow you to focus on programs relevant to your specific situation.
How often should I use a benefits portal?
At minimum, once a year as part of a general financial review. In addition, after any significant life change — job loss, income change, new household member, move to a new area, retirement, health event — running a new screening with updated information reflects your changed circumstances and may surface programs not applicable in your previous situation. The process takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs nothing, making it one of the lowest-effort, highest-potential steps in personal financial management.
I found a program through a portal but I can’t figure out how to apply. What should I do?
Most programs have a phone number for their administering agency — usually listed on the program’s official website. Calling that number and explaining that you’re interested in applying is the simplest path forward. You can also call 211 and describe the program you’re interested in — 211 specialists often know the local contact points for major programs and can connect you with the right office. HUD-approved housing counselors, SHIP counselors (for Medicare programs), and community action agencies can all provide program-specific navigation assistance at no cost.
The Bottom Line
Government benefit portals were built to make the process of finding assistance easier — but only if you know how to use them. The tools described in this guide are free, legitimate, and genuinely useful. They do not commit you to anything, do not submit applications on your behalf, and do not expose your personal information when used through official channels.
The process is straightforward once you understand what screening tools do — generate a preliminary list of programs you may qualify for — and what they don’t do: apply for programs, guarantee eligibility, or require any decision before you’re ready to make one.
Start with BenefitsCheckUp for a comprehensive multi-program screening. Use Benefits.gov or USA.gov for federal program details. Use HealthCare.gov for health coverage. Call 211 for local programs. Verify every site with the .gov check before entering personal information. And return to these tools annually — because what’s available changes, and so does your situation.
Related Articles
→ Financial Benefits You May Want to Check Today
Once you know how to use the portals, this guide covers the major categories of benefits worth searching for.
→ How to Check for Available Benefits Without Guesswork
A complementary guide to conducting a structured benefits review across all major categories.
→ State Benefits You May Not Know You Qualify For
Federal portals don’t always surface state programs — this guide covers how to find what your state specifically offers.
→ Where to Find Verified Financial Support Programs Safely
A broader guide to identifying legitimate financial support programs and avoiding misleading offers.
