Prevent Foreclosure Resources

We've put together the following resources to help you prevent foreclosure. Click on a link to go to the section that you want to learn more about:

Credit Help
Government Assistance Programs
Job Search Assistance
Student Loan Assistance
Child Support

Credit Help

Improve your credit The Credit Counseling Foundation Small Business Debts? InCharge Debt Solutions

Family Debt Arbitration Debt Mediation Services Student Loan Solutions American Credit Counselors

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
• Website also available in Spanish!
• Call 1-800-221-5689 for more information

General website for a variety of government benefits

• www.govbenefits.gov To answer questions and learn more information about benefits you might be eligible to receive
• www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/federal.jhtml To search availability and eligibility for federal programs
• www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/state.jhtml Click on your state to search availability and eligibility for state programs
• Website is partially available in Spanish!
• Call 1-800-FED-INFO (800-333-4636) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday

Low Income Energy Assistance Program

• A federally-funded program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating and/or cooling needs
• www.ncat.org/liheap/profiles/energyhelp.htm Select your state from the drop down menu and click on Go To for information about LIHEAP assistance in your area
• You also can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project. NEAR is a free service providing information on where your can apply for LIHEAP. You can speak to someone at NEAR Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. (Mountain Time) by calling the toll-free phone number at: 1-866-674-6327

Unemployment Benefits

• 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-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627)

Job Search Assistance

Job Bank

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

Job Opportunities

• www.dol.gov/dol/jobs.htm For a list of Job Opportunities, or call 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)

Employment Training and Assistance

• 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
• Or, call 1-877-872-5627 for additional information regarding services and access points in your State or local area

Job Layoff Assistance

• 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
• Or, call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627) for more information regarding services and access points in your State or local area

Career Center

• www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/benefits/report.jhtml?bid=87 For information 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
• Or, call the One-Stop Team within the Employment and Training Administration at (202) 219-8395 for information about State and local contacts

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

American Student Assistance

• www.amsa.com/bor/default.asp For information about student loan repayment options, click on Repayment Options under the Debt Management heading
• For information about defaults and rehabilitation, click on Consequences/Default or If You're in Default and/or Bright Beginnings under the In Default? 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 Student Loans

• www.ed.gov/students/landing.jhtml Click on Find & Pay for College then click on Repay Student Loans for information about loan repayment options (consolidations, deferrals, forbearances)
• Direct Loan borrowers should contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-848-0979 or go to www.dlservicer.ed.gov for more information.
• Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) borrowers should contact the lenders or agencies holding their loans
• Perkins Loan borrowers should contact their loan servicer or the school that issued the loan

Child Support

Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement

• www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.htm Click on your state for information about the Child Support Enforcement Agency in your area