Welcome to Pathfinder
Pathfinder helps people discover government benefits they qualify for by transforming complex eligibility rules into simple, guided screening experiences.In the United States, billions of dollars in public benefits go unclaimed each year—not because people don’t need them, but because they don’t know they exist or assume they won’t qualify. Pathfinder bridges this gap by providing an intelligent benefits discovery platform that meets people where they are.
What Pathfinder Does
At its core, Pathfinder is a benefits discovery platform with five integrated components:Benefits Browser
Searchable catalog of federal, state, and local benefit programs with full-text search and geographic filtering
Eligibility Screener
Multi-step questionnaire that matches users to programs based on their household situation
User Dashboard
Personal hub for tracking applications, documents, and upcoming deadlines
Case Manager Portal
Tools for social workers and navigators to help clients discover and apply for benefits
Success Stories
Community testimonials that inspire action and reduce stigma around benefit programs
- Eligibility Matching: Rule-based engine that evaluates household data against program requirements
- Document Management: Secure upload, preview, and expiration tracking for supporting documents
- Notifications: Email and SMS alerts for deadlines, status changes, and new opportunities
- Calendar Integration: One-click export of renewal dates and deadlines to Google Calendar
- Offline Support: PWA with cached data for users with unreliable internet access
The Problem We’re Solving
| Challenge | How Pathfinder Helps |
|---|---|
| ”I don’t know what programs exist” | Browsable catalog with 2,500+ programs |
| ”I probably don’t qualify” | Pre-screening shows estimated eligibility |
| ”Applications are too complicated” | Step-by-step guidance and document checklists |
| ”I forgot to renew” | Calendar reminders and SMS notifications |
| ”I don’t have reliable internet” | Offline-first PWA with local caching |
Architecture Overview
Pathfinder is built on the same foundation as Terra but optimized for the benefits discovery use case:Who This Is For
This documentation is for engineers building and maintaining Pathfinder. It covers:Quick Links
Core Concepts
Mental models for benefits matching and eligibility
System Map
How all the components connect
Programs Database
Schema and queries for benefit programs
Eligibility Engine
How screening and matching works
Design Principles
Meet People Where They Are
Meet People Where They Are
Not everyone has reliable internet, speaks English, or trusts government websites. Pathfinder works offline, supports multiple languages, and builds trust through success stories from real people.
Assume Nothing About Eligibility
Assume Nothing About Eligibility
Many people self-exclude from benefits they actually qualify for. Pathfinder encourages exploration—show what’s possible before asking for detailed information.
Reduce Cognitive Load
Reduce Cognitive Load
Benefits applications are mentally exhausting. Break complex processes into small steps. Show progress. Celebrate milestones. Make the next action obvious.
Empower Navigators
Empower Navigators
Celebrate Success
Celebrate Success
Receiving benefits can feel stigmatizing. Success stories normalize the experience and show real impact—putting human faces on abstract programs.
Key Differences from Terra
While Pathfinder shares infrastructure with Terra, it serves a different purpose:| Aspect | Terra | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Primary User | Government staff creating intake forms | Individuals discovering benefits |
| Data Flow | Collect applicant data for programs | Match programs to applicant needs |
| Form Ownership | Agencies create custom forms | Pathfinder owns the screener |
| Integration Focus | Case management systems | Calendar, notifications, PWA |
| Success Metric | Submissions collected | Benefits accessed |