Veteran Benefits Tracker

Problem statement:

‍Veterans who file disability or benefits claims often have no clear visibility into where their claim stands in the process, what's been received, or what's missing. This uncertainty creates unnecessary stress and results in avoidable delays — many claims stall simply because a veteran didn't know a document was needed. A clear, accessible status tracker reduces confusion and helps veterans take action when it's actually required of them.

Persona:

Marcus, 34 — Former Army logistics NCO, medically separated after 8 years of service. Filed a disability claim 6 weeks ago. Dealing with a shoulder injury and some hearing loss — needs clear visual hierarchy, not a cluttered dashboard. Checks his phone more than his laptop. Right now he has no idea if his claim is stuck because of something he did wrong.

Design implications to carry forward:

- Mobile-first layout (Marcus is on his phone)
- Larger touch targets, generous spacing (shoulder injury → less precise interaction)
- Don't rely on audio cues (hearing loss) — all status changes must be visually and textually clear, not just an announced sound