Other Helpful Resources

• Consumers' financial rights are protected by federal and state laws and regulations covering many services offered by financial institutions. For more information visit:

http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/rights/index.html

• Credit and Your Consumer Rights: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/crdright.htm

• You can get a free credit report once a year from:

www.annualcreditreport.com

• For more information about your credit report visit: www.myfico.com
  
• Government Assistance
  
• Programs Food Stamps
• www.fns.usda.gov/fsp click on On-line Prescreening Tool under Featured Areas to determine if you may be eligible to receive Food Stamp benefits
• This website is also available in Spanish
• Call 1-800-221-5689 for more information

• www.govbenefits.gov to answer questions and learn more information about benefits you might be eligible to receive
• www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/state.jhtml click on your state to search availability and eligibility for state programs
• Website partially available in Spanish
• Call 1-800-333-4636 between 8 am and 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday

• A federally funded program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating and or cooling needs. Call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project. NEAR is a free service providing information on where you can apply for LIHEAP. Pleas call Monday through Friday, from 6 am tot 6pm (Mountain Standard Time) by calling 1-866-674-6327

• www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/map.asp click on your state for information about unemployment insurance benefits that can provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own who meet eligibility requirements established by state laws
• Call 1-877-872-5627

• Cobra health insurance-Under Cobra if you voluntarily resign from a job or are terminated for any reason other than “gross misconduct,” you are guaranteed the right to continue your former employee’s group plan for individual or family health care coverage for up to 18 months, at your own expense. For more information go to www.cobrainsurance.com
• High-deductible policies- You’ll pay more of your routine medical costs out of pocket, but these policies protect you against catastrophic medical bills. The right high-deductible policy could also qualify you for a health savings account, which could trim your tax bill.
• Short-term coverage-Many insurers that provide individual policies have a bridge or short-term option, typically designed to cover you until you land your next job. These are typically cheaper than a regular individual policy because the insurer is exposed to claims for a limited time. Try Blue Cross, or talk to an experienced health-insurance broker.
• High-risk pools- If a health issue, rather than the cost, is keeping you from being insured, check to see if your state has a high-risk insurance pool. Go to www.diabets.org and type in high-risk pools in the search field to find out more information.
• Health insurance for kids-Most states sponsor low cost or free health insurance for children, and a few will cover their parents for an additional fee. For more information visit www.insurekidsnow.org
• Medicaid- This government-funded coverage is generally reserved for people with very low incomes and few assets; each state has different guidelines. For more information, visit www.cms.hhs.gov

• Routine and diagnostic care-To look up a list of free clinics in your area, type in free clinic foundation of America in Google search engine. This site has more than 350 links to free and very-low-cost health providers across the U.S.

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages. This page allows you to select a list of agencies for each state.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm

Identity Theft

• This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. Visit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft
• The Department of Justice also provides valuable information on identity theft:

http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

Job Search Assistance

• Job Bank
• www.ajb.org Refer to JOBSEEKERS section for access to the job bank by zip code and job category

• www.dol.gov/dol/jobs.htm for a list of Job Opportunities, or call 1-866-487-2365

• www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/report.jhtml?bid=93 for information
• Job search assistance, referral and placement assistance, reemployment services to unemployment insurance claimants, labor market information, and individual skills assessments
• If you are 18 or older and authorized to work in the United States, you may also be eligible to receive counseling, help in developing an individual employment plan, training and basic education. Call 1-877-872-5627 for additional information regarding services and access points in your state or local area

• www.doleta.gov/layoff/workers01.cfm for information about services available to those who have just been laid off or are about to experience a layoff.
• Call 1-877-872-5627 for more information regarding services and access points in your state or local area

• www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/report.jhtml?bid=87 for information about the about the one-stop Career Center Initiative
• These centers provide high-quality services to workers and job seekers under one roof in easy-to-reach locations
• Eligible individuals also can obtain more intensive services and training
• Call the one-stop team within the employment and training administration at 202-219-8395 for information about state and local contacts.

• Here are a couple of good websites that teach kids and teens about money using fun games and activities:

http://www.kids.gov/k_money.htm http://www.marketwatch.com/pf/started/GettingStarted_KidsMoney.asp?siteID=mktw

Military Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

• Signed into law on December 19, 2003, the Act reinforces and spells out some of the provisions of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940
• This applies to members of the Uniformed Services, Reservists who have been called to Active Duty and to members of the National Guard called to Active Duty for more than 30 days pursuant to a contingency mission specified by the President or Secretary of Defense
• Limits the amount of interest that can be collect on debts to 6% per year during the period of military service; the interest in excess of 6% per year is forgiven (as opposed to simply being deferred)
• Applies to all debts incurred prior to the commencement of active duty and includes interest on credit card debt, mortgages, car loans and other debt (DOES NOT apply to federal guaranteed student loans, but deferrals or suspensions of payment may be available)
• Interest rate reduction does not occur automatically; service members must request it in writing and provide a copy of their orders
• www.usmilitary.about.com/cs/sscra/a/scra2.htm
• Contact a Judge Advocate (JAG) or Legal Assistance Officer in your unit for more information

• Easy access to attorneys who reduce their fees for AARP members and provide free 30-minute consultations in person or over the phone. Click on your state to find chapters in your area and for more information about the AARP LSN go to www.aarp.org/states.
• Or call 1-888-687-2277 for more information

• Wide-ranging online services that screen 1,300 program for federal, state, and some local private and public benefits for older adults (55 and over).
• Fill out a free on-line questionnaire to find out what benefits may be available to you at www.benefitscheckup.org
• The National Council on Aging at (202) 479-1200 for more information

• www.amsa.com/bor/default.asp for information about student loan repayment options, click on repayment options under the debt management heading
• Student loan borrowers having difficulty with repayment, call the repayment assistance center at 800-343-8883
• Student loan borrowers in default, call payment advisory services at 800-343-2120

• Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) borrowers should contact the lenders or agencies holding their loans
• Perkins Loans borrowers should contact their loan servicer or the school that issued the loan