Use the strongest available source
Federal legal and consumer-rights explanations should begin with current statutes, regulations, and official agency guidance. Client-specific conclusions require the client's own records. Marketing materials, social posts, and third-party summaries may reveal a claim but do not verify it.
Record the source boundary
Each cited source should have a publisher, title, direct link, retrieval date, and short statement of what it supports. If a source describes a general federal process, it should not be stretched into a promise about a client's outcome or a conclusion under a particular state's law.
- Source identity
- Supported fact
- Known limit
- Last review date
- Public or restricted access
Refresh unstable claims
Rules, agency guidance, program terms, fees, and business information can change. Time-sensitive claims must be checked before use in a campaign or live response. If current support is missing, the claim moves out of public use until it is resolved.
Common questions
Clear answers, clear limits.
Why prefer official sources?
They provide the controlling text or the agency's own explanation and reduce the risk of repeating outdated or oversimplified claims.
Can a client document be a source?
Yes, for facts about that client's situation. Access should be restricted, sensitive data minimized, and the document should not be used to make broader public claims.
What happens when sources conflict?
Mark the claim conflicted, keep it out of public automation, and send it for qualified human review.