78% internet users have visited government websites to seek information or assistance, according to the Pew Internet Project. They most commonly visit a local, state or federal government website: a total of 71% have done this, including 66% in the past year. 38% of them have gone online to research official government documents or statistics, including 35% who have done it in the past year. 24% have gone online to get advice or information from a government agency about a health or safety problem and 22% have gone online to get information about, or apply for, government benefits.