CONSUMER RESOURCES

To provide additional assistance to consumers, American Debt Counseling maintains a comprehensive listing of various national and community-based resources and programs that are available. Please refer to the listing below for organizations and information that may be able to provide you with help for your specific situation.

Financial Literacy for Children and Adults

FDIC Money Smart Courses
www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart
Free courses to teach money management to children as well as complete courses and podcasts for adults

National Financial Education Network of State and Local Governments
www.mymoney.gov
Free articles and tools from 22 Federal entities that work on improving financial literacy and education

Federal Reserve
www.federalreserveeducation.org/
Free materials to teach financial matters to children and information for adults

The Mint
www.themint.org/about/northwestern-mutual-foundation.html
Free financial lessons for children and teens along with tips for parents and teachers from The National Council on Economic Education and Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation

The Family Success Center
www.broward.org/Family/Pages/FamilySuccessCenters.aspx
ADC is continually expanding its financial literacy community outreach program and reaching more individuals who are benefiting from money management information, resources, tools, and tips. Spearheaded by Courtney Cordero, Director of Community Development & Education, ADC welcomes interest from companies, non-profit organizations, schools, community and faith-based organizations, and corporations.
ADC is proud to work exclusively with The Family Success Center. ADC offers financial seminars, as well as one on one counseling sessions twice a week at Family Success Center. It is a mandated program for all participants. Family Success Center also welcomes anyone from the public to join the programs offered to gain the knowledge of finances.

Child Care

EIC (Earned Income Credit) Advanced Payments
Phone: (800) 829-1040 
Website: www.irs.gov

Food Stamps
Phone: 800-221-5689
Website: www.fns.usda.gov/fsp

United Way
This agency offers many community related programs and services.
Phone: (703) 836-7112
Website: www.unitedway.org

WIC (Woman, Infants and Children)
This organization provides assistance with food, nutrition, education and referrals to health, welfare and social service agencies.
Phone: For the phone number in your state, please visit
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/tollfreenumbers.htm

Website – general information: www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Consumer Issues

2-1-1 Information and Referral Search

Call 2-1-1 for free, confidential information if you need help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.
Website: For the 2-1-1 information resource in your area, please visit www.211.org/

Bankrate
This resources offers consumer financial related information included calculators, rates etc.
Phone: (561) 630-2400
Website: www.bankrate.com

Credit Reporting Agencies

Free Credit Reports
This website allows you to request a free credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
To Contact: Use Consumer Comment Form on website.
Website: www.AnnualCreditReport.com

Equifax
Phone: To request your credit report by phone, please call (877) 322-8228.
Website: www.equifax.com

Experian
Phone: To order your credit report and credit score, please call (888) 397-3742.
Website: www.experian.com

TransUnion
Phone: For a free annual TransUnion credit report, please call (800) 888-4213.
Website: www.transunion.com 

FTC-Federal Trade Commission
Resources to assist you with creditor harassment, identity theft and fraud.
Phone: (877) 382-4357
Website: www.ftc.gov

Identity Theft
Telephone Assistance for Individuals who believe they may be a victim of identity theft.
Phone: 800-908-4490 (Automated and live assistance)
Website: IRS.gov

Identity Theft Resource Center
Victims of identity theft can find consumer support as well as public education on this
important area.
Phone: (888) 400-5530
Website: www.idtheftcenter.org 

Elder Care

AARP
Phone: (888) OUR-AARP
Website: www.aarp.org

Medicaid
Website: www.cms.hhs.gov

Medicare
Phone: (800) MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
Website: www.medicare.gov

Social Security
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov 

Employment

Careerbuilder
Website: www.careerbuilder.com

Monster
Website: www.monster.com

U.S. Department of Labor
Government operated website supplies information including statistics on unemployment
benefits, insurance, locating a job, etc.
Phone: (877) US-2JOBS
Website: www.doleta.gov/layoff 

Help/Prevention Programs

Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: (212) 870-3400
Website: www.aa.org Debtors Anonymous
Phone: (800) 421-2383
Website: www.debtorsanonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous
Phone: (213) 386-8789
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org

Narcotics Anonymous
Phone: (818) 773-9999
Website: www.na.org

National Abuse Hotline
Information on shelters, privacy issues, legal advocates and medical help.
Phone:(800)799-SAFE (7233)
Website: www.ndvh.org

National Do Not Call List
Want more privacy? Find out how you can prevent telemarketers from calling your home.
Website: www.donotcall.gov

National Suicide Hotline
Providing hope and emergency assistance to those who need it. 
Phone: (800) SUICIDE, (800) 273-TALK, (800) 784-2433, (800) 273-8255
Website: www.suicidehotlines.com

SCORE – Service Corps of Retired Executives:
 Interested in starting a small business? Check out SCORE for facts and resources.   
Phone: (800) 634-0245
Website: www.score.org

Medical

American Diabetic Foundation
Your source for free medical supplies teachers and social workers can use.
Phone: (800) 254-4667
Website: www.americandiabetes.com

Eldercare Locator
If you’re a senior citizen, you’ll discover assistance in finding state programs.
E-mail: contactus@ElderCarelink.com
Website: www.eldercarelink.com

National Institute of Mental Health:
Phone: (866) 615-6464
Website: www.nimh.nih.gov

Needy Meds
If you need help obtaining prescriptions, you’ll find the resources including programs on how to get free or discounted prescriptions.
E-mail: info@needymeds.com
Website: www.needymeds.org

Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America
Provides consumers with a free directory of drug assistance programs.
Phone: (202)-835-3400
Website: www.phrma.org

Mortgages

Consumer Insurance Guide
Answers common questions about home insurance coverage.
E-mail: contact@insure.com
Website:  www.insure.com

Fannie Mae
This resource covers approved lenders, defaulted loans, etc.
Phone: (800) 732-6643
Website: www.fanniemae.com

Freddie Mac
Provides information on how to obtain help for federal mortgage loans.
Phone: Please see our website for phone numbers in your area.
Website: www.freddiemac.com

Home Renting
Need to rent a home or have an extra room at your home you’d like to rent? Information and forms are available. See this website for details.
Phone: (877) 389-0141
Website: www.uslegalforms.com

HUD: (Housing and Urban Development)
Provides information on HUD housing and section 8.
Phone:(202) 708-1112
Website: www.hud.gov

Interest.Com
Includes mortgage calculators to determine how much home you can afford and what your payments will be.
Website: www.interest.com

National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association:
Includes a list of lenders who handle reverse mortgages.
Phone: (202) 939-1760
Website: www.reversemortgage.org

Student Loan Information and Assistance

Academic Management Services
For parents interested in sending their children to private schools, this valuable resource
provides interest free payment plans and loans.
Phone: (888) 2-SALLIE (888-272-5543)
Website: www.salliemae.com

Educaid
This site covers how parents can qualify to borrow for private school tuition.
Phone: (800) WACHOVIA (800-922-4684)
Website: www.wachovia.com/education

Federal Student Aid Information Center
Students can find information on federal loans, financial aid and grants.
Phone: (800) 4-FED-AID (800-433-3243)
Website: www.fafsa.ed.gov

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA)
Answers questions regarding student loan repayment and default prevention.
Helps students find the servicing center and status of their federal loans.
Phone: (800) 792-8670
Website: www.hesaa.org

Loan Locator
Provides transcripts and helps locate who administers a student loan.
Phone: (703) 742-4200
Website: www.studentclearinghouse.org

U.S. Department of Education
There are several options for students who need loans. Explore the information provided here
for loans programs.
Phone: (800) USA-LEARN (800-872-5327)
Website: www.ed.gov

Utility Help Programs

LIHEAP
Families below certain income levels can qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program.
Phone:(866) 674-6327
E-mail: energy@ncat.org
Website: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap

Veterans Assistance

HUD Veteran Resource Center
Information and resources on HUD's community-based programs and services.
Website: HUD Veteran Resource Center

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Healthcare and federal benefits website for veterans and their dependents.
Website: www.va.gov
Phone: 800-827-1000

Veterans Education Benefits
Phone: (800) USA-LEARN (800-872-5327)
Website: www.ed.gov

Veterans Housing
Website: www.rebuildingtogether.org/

Additional Resources

FOCUS ON FINANCES: A booklet for helping teens prepare for their financial future