Sites We Like
We found these links helpful and hopefully you will too.
Department of Labor
Federal Citizens Information Center
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Reserve System
Federal Trade Commission
Internal Revenue Service
Securities and Exchange Commission
Florida Home Insurance Help
FINRA Investor Education
- The Investor's Guide to Securities Industry Disputes: How to Prevent and Resolve Disputes with Your Broker, a brochure created by the Pace Law School Investor Rights Clinic.
- Get Your Finances Ready for Retirement, feature series for soon-to-be and recent retirees produced by Nightly Business Report, in partnership with U.S. News & World Report.
- DollarsFromSense.com, interactive financial education Web site developed by a team from Baruch College and Miami University of Ohio for college-aged students and recent graduates.
- Building Native Communities: Investing for the Future, investor education workbook created by the First Nations Development Institute.
- TV411 Save Smart, multimedia toolkit from the Education Development Center that integrates financial and investor education concepts into adult learning in math and literacy.
- Get More Money Now, brochure and Web site in Spanish and English created by the Education and Research Foundation of the Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York.
- Get Rich Slow, women's retirement game developed by the Boston College Center for Retirement Research.
- Financial Literacy Training for High School Students, eight independent instructional modules and handouts developed by The Center for Financial Studies at Southern New Hampshire University: Asset Allocation and Security Selection, Creating and Monitoring a Diversified Stock Portfolio, Internet Resources for Bond and ETF Investors, Investing in Equity Mutual Funds, Investing for Retirement, Personal Financial Statements Portfolio and Risk Management, Selecting a Financial Advisor
Employment Resources
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Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) – Workforce Services
AWI’s Office of Workforce Services is responsible for providing One‐Stop Program Support services (workforce program information, guidance and technical assistance) to the Regional Workforce Boards and their One‐Stop Career Centers. For more information on AWI, visit http://www.floridajobs.org/index.html AWI also offers job bank resources on their site. To visit, http://www.floridajobs.org/workforce/os_job_banks.html.
Employ Florida Marketplace
Employ Florida Marketplace is an online portal to job‐matching services and many other workforce resources. Job seekers may create and post resumes, search openings in all counties and access other career development tools. For additional assistance, job seekers also may link to either of Florida's state‐level workforce partners, Workforce Florida and the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or its local‐level partners, including 24 regional workforce boards and more than 80 One‐Stop Centers. Visit https://www.employflorida.com/.
Florida Health Care Resources
Web Resource from the Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida
If you need health care coverage or a supplement to current coverage, there is a web site resource for health care provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Florida and The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. Search for free and low cost resources for preventative care, medications, prenatal care and immunizations, or other health services. You can find services based on where you live, your age, or the kind of help you need, or search for resources by a condition. On the web, go to http://www.forfloridashealth.com/home.do.
Florida KidCare
The State of Florida offers health insurance for children from birth through age 18, even if one or both parents are working Florida KidCare is for children, not adults. Information is available for grandparents who are raising grandchildren and for non‐citizens at the website.
To qualify for premium assistance, a child must:
- Be under age 19
- Be uninsured
- Meet income eligibility requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non‐citizen
- Not be eligible for Medicaid
- Not be the dependent of a state employee eligible for health insurance
- Not be in a public institution Families who are not eligible for premium assistance may buy Florida KidCare at the “full pay” premium rate.
On the web, go to http://www.floridakidcare.org/ or call 1‐888‐540‐5437 for more information.
Cover Florida Health Care Program
Cover Florida Health Care is a comprehensive market‐based plan to offer affordable health coverage to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians without using taxpayer dollars. With most plans under $150, Cover Florida benefit options include coverage for preventive services, screenings, and office visits, as well as office surgery, urgent care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, and diabetic supplies. To learn more about Cover Florida please visit:
www.coverfloridahealthcare.com.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through a public or private program. Many will get them free or nearly free. To determine if you qualify for free, or nearly free, prescription medicines, call 1‐888‐4PPA‐NOW (1‐888‐477‐2669) or go to:
www.pparx.org
Florida Discount Drug Card Program
All Floridians can sign up for the Florida Discount Drug Card to save on their prescription medications. Enroll online at http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/ by telephone: 1‐866‐341‐8894 or TTY Users may call: 1‐866‐763‐9630. The web site also features helpful web links, pharmacy information, Medicare information, and more.
Family Health Line
Administered by the Florida Department of Health, this program offers referral information for prenatal care, infant and toddler health care, Healthy Start, family planning, and for basic health questions. Toll‐free number: 1‐800‐451‐2229.
Medically Needy (Share of Cost) – Department of Children and Families
Individuals who are not eligible for full" Medicaid because their income or assets are over the Medicaid program limits may qualify for the Medically Needy program. Individuals enrolled in Medically Needy must have a certain amount of medical bills each month before Medicaid can be approved. This is referred to as a "share of cost" and varies depending on the household's size and income. Information about this program can be found on the web:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/medicaid.shtml#pw
Legal Resources
Florida Law Help
FloridaLawHelp.org is administered by Florida Legal Services, Inc. and is produced in cooperation with Pro Bono Net and the legal service organizations and government agencies throughout Florida and the United States. The web site is:
http://www.floridalawhelp.org/FL/index.cfm
Utility Resources
Utility Company Assistance Program
Most utility companies around the state offer programs that provide assistance for paying utility bills. The programs provide emergency assistance to those who need the most help with paying energy bills, repairs to air‐conditioning or heating equipment, and other energy‐related needs. Contact your local utility company.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Community action agencies and local governments administer weatherization Assistance Programs locally. Its purpose is to help low‐income households to lower energy costs by improving the energy efficiency of the home. In Florida, find the provider in your community at the web site of the Department of Community Affairs:
http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/wap/index.cfm
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low‐Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal money to non‐profit agencies and local governments so they can assist low‐income families with home heating and cooling costs. To see if you are eligible for this assistance and for local providers in your area, go to the Department of Community Affairs website:
http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fhcd/liheap/index.cfm
Lifeline and Link Up Florida Telephone Programs
The Florida Public Service Commission provides Lifeline Assistance Programs designed to make telephone service affordable to low‐income customers. The programs are designed to ensure that the basic telephone connection (hook‐up) and service remain affordable to all residents of Florida. Link‐Up Florida gives a 50% rebate in the telephone hook‐up charge (up to $30.00). Lifeline Assistance gives $13.50 credit per month on local phone bills.
If you have questions, you may call the Florida Public Service Commission’s Division of Regulatory Compliance and Consumer Assistance at 1‐800‐342‐3552, or contact the FPSC via the following E‐mail address: contact@psc.state.fl.us. The web site is http://www.floridapsc.com.
SafeLink Wireless makes wireless telephone service and cell phones more affordable by offering Lifeline service for qualified households. Contact the website of Florida Office of Public Counsel for eligibility information: http://www.floridaopc.gov/ or call toll free at 1‐800‐540‐7039.
Food and Nutrition Resources
Food Assistance Program
The Food Assistance Program helps low‐income households purchase food. The program is administered in the state through the Florida Department of Children and Families. For more information and eligibility requirements, go the Access Florida website:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/foodstamps.shtml.
Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care. If a woman is eligible, these resources are provided at no cost. For information, go to the website:
http://www.floridawic.org/pages/wic.htm
Child Care Resources
Child Care Resource and Referral Network
The Child Care Resource and Referral Network provide information about state funded early learning programs, such as: the School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten, Early Head Start, and Even Start programs. The local Child Care Resource and Referral office can also provide financial assistance options and community resources. Contact calling toll free at the State CCR&R Network Office at 1‐866‐357‐3239.
Domestic Violence Resources
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence can occur in any household, regardless of the income level. To find the local certified domestic violence center nearest you, go to the website of the Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence at www.fcadv.org or call the toll‐free statewide hotline 1‐800‐500‐1119.
Educational Resources
Academic Earth: is an organization founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education. www.academicearth.org
YouTube: Founded in February 2005, YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. The academic collection features content from more than 300 colleges and universities from ten countries in seven languages and growing. www.youtube.com/education
Open Culture: a smart guide to free audiobooks, language lessons, academic podcasts, classes and intelligent video sites. www.openculture.com
Sallie Mae: Save, plan & pay for a college education. Private student loans, online banking, college loans, scholarships, undergraduate & graduate student loans. www.salliemae.com
U.S. Department of Education: site explains how to view Federal loan documents, entrance counseling and how to sign promissory notes. www.studentloans.gov
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students interested in financial aid for college will need the FAFSA. www.fafsa.ed.gov
A Pell Grant: is a post-secondary educational Federal grant sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/eligibility.html
The Khan Academy: is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Khan is complementing Salman's ever-growing library with user-paced exercises--developed as an open source project--allowing the Khan Academy to become the free classroom for the World. www.khanacademy.org
National Financial Capability Challange
The National Financial Capability Challenge is an awards program designed to increase the financial knowledge and capability of high school aged youth across the United States so they can take control over their financial futures. http://www.challenge.treas.gov/
SmartyPig makes it easier than ever to experience the personal satisfaction and financial rewards that come from systematically saving for specific purchases. SmartyPig even enhances your savings with cash back savings that make your money go further! Best of all: it’s completely FREE. No fees. No catches. No “buying clubs.” It’s an FDIC-insured savings account — and so much more. www.smartypig.com
Located in Washington D.C. Rebuilding Together works with local affiliates to provide assistance with home repairs to low income families, seniors, or anyone with a handicap. 1-800-473-4229. www.rebuildingtogether.org
HelloWallet is an online financial planning tool that helps its members manage their finances, reduce debt and build savings to get ahead. With HelloWallet, you can help your clients stick to a budget, track their financial plan and find better bank products in their neighborhood. HelloWallet is 100% independent from banks, credit unions, 401(k) providers and any other financial institutions.
Student Loan settlement option is finally possible! Student Loan Escape helps Americans Settle Private Student Loans for 40-60% less. Student Loan Escape is a small team of experts, dedicated to providing superior service and step-by-step guidance to consumers who are seeking to escape from everlasting Student Loans and unsecured debt. At Student Loan Escape they offer professional advice, knowledge and expertise to help Americans get out of debt and bring back financial control over their lives.
Easy, Fun, and Free Financial Skills Courses for You and Your Family. Whether you're a parent, a student, or a mature adult; a homeowner or a business owner; a first-time employee or a recent retiree; use the Hands on Banking program to find the knowledge and skills you need to manage money to your best advantage.
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