“Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other basic needs … [d]eveloped and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.”–From the Web Site.
Financial Advisors and Brokers — Check Them Out July 6, 2009
http://www.sec.gov/investor/brokers.htm
The SEC offers this page which provides tips on checking out financial advisors and brokers as well as links to sites where information is available to help you evaluate brokers and financial advisors.
CARS: Car Allowance Rebate System June 26, 2009
The Car Allowance Rebate System is a new program from the NHTSA that helps consumers purchase new, more fuel-efficient vehicles when they trade in a vehicle that is less efficient. Those with eligible vehicles can visit a participating dealer and receive a credit worth either $3500 or $4500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle.
This program was just signed into law, and some of the details are still being worked out, but the website is being updated regularly to include new information.
IBRinfo June 3, 2009
Thanks to Audrey May (LINC) for bringing this site to my attention:
Two new programs have been created by the federal government to assist students with outstanding student loan debt. The Income-Based Repayment Program will begin in July of 2009 and can institute payment caps based on income and family size for eligible borrowers. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program allows employees of eligible organizations (including libraries!) to have their federal loans forgiven after 10 years of service and qualifying payments.
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (New Credit Card Law) : Summary May 20, 2009
http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/051909_CreditCardSummaryFinalPassage.pdf
This is a summary from the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs of the provisions of the new 2009 Credit Card Act passed by Congress and which will go to President Obama for his signature.
Property Assessment Directory May 20, 2009
www.propertyassessmentdirectory.com
It’s not the prettiest site, but it has the goods. This site is a large link directory to property assessment sites around the country. Most are county sites, but there are a few aggregate sites as well.
Mymoney.gov March 25, 2009
“Title V of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT Act) established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (Commission) with the purpose of improving the financial literacy and education of persons in the United States. To reach the widest number of people possible, the Commission established a website and a toll-free telephone number (1-888-MYMONEY) to coordinate the presentation of educational materials from across the spectrum of federal agencies that deal with financial issues and markets.”–From the Web site. This site provides information and resources on such topics as financial planning, budgeting, home ownership, avoiding foreclosure, credit, taxes, saving and investing, starting a small businss and more.
Libraries Featured in March 2009 Issue of Woman’s Day March 20, 2009
The American Library Association offers this article on how the March 2009 issue of Woman’s Day magazine has stories on how libraries have helped people. The article also talks of the contest Woman’s Day is sponoring, which asks women 18 and over to submit stories on how resources in libraries helped them to save money, find jobs, and provide necessary resources during these tough economic times. This initiative continues an eight-year partnership between the ALA and Woman’s Day.
Making Home Affordable March 20, 2009
http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/
The Obama Administration launched this site yesterday to provide a starting point for homeowners who have questions about their mortgages and their financial future. Users should start with the self-assessment tools to determine their eligibility for various options. Detailed information is available on refinancing and loan modification, or users can start with the FAQ.
BankTracker March 18, 2009
http://banktracker.investigativereportingworkshop.org/
The Investigative Reporting Workshop of the American University School of Communication provides information and FDIC data here to allow anyone to track the financial health of individual banks in the U. S. It also has a very helpful link that allows a search of TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) recipients, which shows the banks that have received TARP funds, the amount of the money the bank has received, and, in some cases, more detailed information about the money is provided. TARP recipient banks can also be searched by state.
FinancialStability.gov March 7, 2009
http://financialstability.gov/
Although there is a statement on this site “This Site is Coming Soon” there are already links on it to sites on President Obama’s Making Home Affordable program, the Consumer and Business Lending Initiative, and the Capital Assistance program. And there is extensive information found on all three of these programs.
The Financial Crisis Timeline March 4, 2009
http://timeline.stlouisfed.org/
From the St. Louis Fed, a timeline of events and policy actions. A great place to find news, chronologies, papers, government links and data.
Federal Reserve Board : Resources for Consumers on Foreclosure March 2, 2009
http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/foreclosure_consumers.htm
The Federal Reserve Board offers this page that provides information and links to organizations and agencies that may help consumers avoid foreclosures.
Free File : Your Link To Free Federal Online Filing February 28, 2009
http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html
“The Free File program provides free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing for eligible taxpayers through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies.”–From the Web Site.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Economic Stimulus Act) Full Text February 25, 2009
http://fdsys.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr1ENR/pdf/BILLS-111hr1ENR.pdf
“The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) makes available the authentic version of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Barack Obama, on GPO’s Federal Digital System (FDsys). GPO also authenticates the document by digital signature. This signature assures the public that the document has not been changed or altered. A digital signature, viewed through the GPO Seal of Authenticity, verifies the document’s integrity and authenticity.”–From GPO Press Release.
