Propel's Editorial Standards

Our editorial mission at Propel is to give you the information you need to navigate the social safety net, from applying for benefits, to understanding how policy changes might affect you, to tips for getting the most bang for your buck at the grocery store.

We want to make it easy to find clear answers to tough questions, so you have the knowledge you need to take the next step that makes sense for you.

Our commitment to accuracy

We know the stakes are high when it comes to understanding and navigating the benefits programs that you and your family rely on—that’s why accuracy is a top priority for our editorial content.

We rely on a combination of internal and external experts to fact-check our content and ensure its accuracy. These experts have deep knowledge of and experience with policy and legislation around programs including SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, Lifeline, and more, at both the state and federal level.

Any factual errors or updates are corrected or added as soon as possible. If you notice a mistake in our content, please reach out to us at editorial@propelapp.com.

Meet our experts

Justin King

Policy Director

Justin leads policy strategy at Propel, and is passionate about expanding economic opportunity and improving financial health for low-income households.

  • Former staffer for U.S. Senator James Jeffords (I-VT)
  • Worked on federal programs including TANF, Head Start, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant
  • Extensive experience shaping public policy for children and low-income Americans

Dave Guarino

Director of Emerging Technology

Dave leads Propel’s emerging technology work, driving innovation across the company to improve how millions of low-income Americans access safety-net benefits like SNAP.

  • Over a decade of experience in benefits-access technology
  • Co-founder and former director of GetCalFresh, which helped Californians apply for SNAP
  • Honored with a Social Services Community Recognition Award (San Diego County Social Services Advisory Board) in 2018 and a Hunger Fighter Award (California Hunger Action Coalition) in 2019

External experts

External experts play a key role in Propel’s content verification process by providing independent review and subject-matter expertise.

  • Our experts include specialists in public health, food access, and public benefits programs
  • They review articles for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with current policy and best practices
  • Expert guidance helps ensure our content reflects the latest guidance and real-world considerations for people accessing benefits

Our editorial philosophy

No jargon#no-jargon

We break down complicated topics using clear, straightforward language, so you can get clarity. And when there isn’t a sure answer to a question, we’ll tell you.

Inclusivity matters#inclusivity-matters

We know our readers come from all different walks of life and have wide-ranging experiences, and we write with that in mind.

Trustworthy sources#trustworthy-sources

The information in our pages comes from our internal experts or trusted primary sources like government websites, and we cite those sources on the page as much as possible.

Empathy guides us#empathy-guides-us

The stakes are high when it comes to feeding and caring for your family. We get that, and work to make sure that recognition comes through in our informational content.