Credit Bureaus:
Homeowners Assistance Programs:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federally funded program to help people with their home heating costs. It does not matter if you rent or own your home and you do not have to repay the money.
Disaster Recovery: A Resource for Homeowners
The Mortgage Bankers’ Association has published a very helpful booklet that provides important information about the Disaster Recovery process for homeowners who have experienced a natural disaster that has destroyed their home.
Housing:
PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency provides first-time homebuyer programs, home repair loans, and foreclosure prevention loans.
Take Charge Of Your Money
Turn to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and its statewide network of approved counseling agencies. They offer no-cost personal financial education.
HUD
The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) offers assistance with buying a home, avoiding foreclosure, rental assistance, and fair housing concerns.
Food Programs:
National School Lunch Program
Federally assisted meal programs operating in public and nonprofit private schools as well as residential childcare institutions.
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank serves individuals and families in 11 counties of Southwestern PA through a variety of programs, including: SNAP (food stamps), Food Pantries, Drive-Up and Walk-In Distributions, Senior Boxes, and Food for Kids and Teens. Call 412-460-3663 x655 or visit https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/ to see how they can help.
Government Agencies:
Federal Trade Commission
“The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works to ensure that the nation’s markets are vigorous, efficient, and free of restrictions that harm consumers.”
Federal Government Official Website
“FirstGov.gov, the official U.S. gateway to all government information, is the catalyst for a growing electronic government. Our work transcends the traditional boundaries of government and our vision is global, connecting the world to all U.S. government information and services.”
Social Security Administration/Disability
Information regarded Federal benefits for people with disabilities.
Health Care Programs:
Medicaid & CHIP coverage
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Legal/Consumer Credit Issues:
Federal Trade Commission
Online complaints.
Tax Information:
Earned Income Credit
This document explains what EIC is and who is eligible. You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view this file.
IRS Home Page
Links to the Department of the Treasury home page.
Addictions:
Addiction Center
Addiction Center is an online resource with information on many addictions, symptoms, and treatment options for individuals seeking help to get their life back on track.
Addiction Resource
Addiction Resource was founded in 2005 to provide a community for those recovering from addiction and to help patients find the highest quality care for a successful recovery. Their goal is to provide resources to help patients and their loved ones so that they may stay on the road to recovery, and can successfully overcome addiction for life.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Alcohol Addiction Center
A comprehensive guide to getting help and understanding the disease. Resources for alcoholics and problem drinkers.
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 31,000 weekly meetings in over 100 countries worldwide.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gambler’s Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
Debtors Anonymous
Recovery from problems with debt.