State of California Franchise Tax Board: www.ftb.ca.gov/
Tax Prep
I-CAN! E-FILE: www.icanefile.org/
I-CAN E-File is an online service that allows you to file your federal and state taxes online for free.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $42,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing. To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040.
Ready Prep: www.ftb.ca.gov/readyreturn/about.shtml
ReadyReturn is a free service we developed to make filing individual income tax returns easier. We use information the state already has from the last return you filed and from your Form W-2 to pre-fill a California state tax return. If you qualify, your return may be ready and waiting for you. All you need to do is review your return, make any necessary changes, and file your return.
CalFile: www.ftb.ca.gov/online/calfile/qualifications.shtml
CalFile is an easy-to-use free online tax filing service that 6.4 million Californians qualify for this service. See if you are one of them!
Top 10 Personal Income Tax Errors that Delay Return Processing
www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2008/08_761PIT.pdf
An important list of frequent errors on taxes that may save you time and money.
State of California Franchise Tax Board: www.ftb.ca.gov
The Franchise Tax Board of California is a source for information on all things tax related in the state of California.
The Beehive: www.thebeehive.org/taxes
The Beehive is a place where you can file your taxes for free online as well as other valuable information.
Educational Resources
Cal Grants: www.calgrants.org
Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways to get cash for college. For starters, it's money you don't have to pay back. And secondly, it's guaranteed. If you're a graduating high school senior or recent graduate, meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements and submit two forms by March 2, you are guaranteed a Cal Grant!
FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid: www.fafsa.ed.gov
FAFSA is an online application that high school seniors can fill out to see what kinds of grants and loans they may qualify for to use towards college. It’s easy and free to use.
FastWeb: www.fastweb.com
A free online resource to help incoming college students find scholarship money and how to apply for it.
EdFund: www.edfund.com
EdFund provides student loan guarantee services to colleges, universities and career schools, working closely with both financial aid administrators and lenders. They are a nonprofit, public benefit auxiliary of the California Student Aid Commission, but we provide our services across the United States. In fact, EdFund is the second largest guarantee services provider in the nation for the Federal Family Education Loan Program. They are dedicated to maximizing benefits to borrowers by being the premier service provider in the student loan industry.
Going to College: going2college.org/StateResources/
Going2College is a website that allows you to explore career options, plan for college and locate financial aid sources. The website shows local services and programs available in your area that will help you get to college.
One Economy Corporation: www.one-economy.com/
One Economy Corporation is a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit founded in 2000. The corporation connects low-income people with technology. The corporation focuses on bringing broadband access into low-income homes, providing technological training for low-income individuals, and creating localized websites that connect these people to socio-economically pertinent information and services, these ranging from homework help to tax-filing tips to career building applications.
Human Services Resources
211: www.211.org
2-1-1 is the three digit number set aside by the federal Communications Commission (FCC) in July 2000 for the sole purpose of providing health and human service information and referral (I&R). Similar to 911 for emergency services and 411 for directory assistance, 2-1-1 is the three digit number to dial for health and human service information and referral.
United Way: www.liveunited.org/
United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement. Local United Ways create long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant local issues. Common focus areas include helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems.
For information about Cash Aid Services for Families and Caretakers with Children, Adults, Seniors and disabled Children and Adults, visit http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/PG54.htm
Find day care at: www.ccld.ca.gov/docs/ccld_search/ccld_search.aspx
Meals on Wheels: www.mowaa.org
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need.
Health
Healthy Families
Healthy Families is low cost medical insurance for children and teens. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal. To find out if your child qualifies, please visit: www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx
Healthy Families has stopped adding new children to the program and established a waiting list. The waiting list starts July 17, 2009. To join or for answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding this new wait list, please Click Here.
Access2Wellness: www.access2wellness.com
Access2wellness provides access to one of the broadest selections of assistance programs that offer more than 1,000 prescription medications, for free or at a discount, to those who qualify. Access2wellness was designed to help people find information on assistance programs quickly and easily. It describes available programs and provides contact information. It also features a unique Eligibility Tool that can quickly and easily determine which patient assistance programs might be most appropriate.
Network for a Healthy California: www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/cpns/Pages/AboutUs.aspx
The Network represents a statewide movement of local, state and national partners collectively working toward improving the health status of low-income Californians through increased fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity. Multiple venues are used to facilitate behavior change in the homes, schools, worksites, and communities of low-income Californians to create environments that support fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.
My Health Resource.org
My Health Resource.org connects Californians with local health care. After inputting your city and the type of care you need to receive, My Health Resource.org responds with the location of local health facilities which may serve your needs. www.calpatientcare.org/start
Women, Infants and Children Program
WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children. WIC helps families by providing checks for buying healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding healthcare and other community services. Participants must meet income guidelines and be pregnant women, new mothers, infants or children under age five. In California, 82 WIC agencies provide services locally to over 1.4 million women, infants and children each month at over 600 sites throughout the State.
For more information, visit: www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Pages/default.aspx
Planned Parenthood: www.plannedparenthood.org/
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate.
First 5 California
First 5 California distributes funds to local communities through the state’s 58 individual counties, all of which have created their own local First 5 County Commissions. First 5 supports California children ages 0-5 as they grow. First 5 California provides parents with information on the development of their children: what to expect and how to help their child thrive.
For more information on First 5 California, www.ccfc.ca.gov/parents/
California Children's Services
California Children's Services (CCS) is a state program for children with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained health care people who know how to care for your child with special health care needs.
For more information on California Children’s Services, visit www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ccs/Pages/default.aspx
Healthy Families Program: www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov
Healthy Families is low cost insurance for children and teens. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.
California Alternative Payment Program Association
CAPPA is the premiere state association of organizations that provide child care subsidies to CalWORKs and working poor families throughout California. Established in 1977, CAPPA is the lead voice for public and private nonprofit agencies who contract with California Department of Education (CDE) to provide child care subsidies to families and to ensure children keep learning while parents are earning.
CalQualityCare.org - Your Guide to Long Term Care in California
In 2007, more than one million Californians, including adults, children with disabilities, and the elderly, used some type of long term care services. That figure is expected to skyrocket as the population ages, and the number of working-age people with disabilities grows.
With that in mind, the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has unveiled a new Web site rating thousands of the state's long term care providers on a wide range of quality of care measures - information that will help health care consumers and their families make important choices in the planning of their care. The free online service, CalQualityCare.org, rates the care provided by nursing homes, hospice and home health agencies, where data is available to evaluate performance. The site also provides information on many other kinds of long term care, including assisted living, retirement communities, and day care options.
For more information, visit www.calqualitycare.org
Disabled
Disabled Resources in California: www.disabilityresources.org
Disabled Resources lists websites ranging from topics to Advocacy and Legal Rights to Vocational Rehabilitation, geared towards the disabled in California
Search for resources at: www.disabilityresources.org/CALIFORNIA.html
Ability Jobs (job search engine focused towards those with disabilities): www.jobaccess.org
The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP): www.ddtp.org
The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) is a California State mandated program, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The DDTP has two components: The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) which provides assistive telephone devices, and the California Relay Service (CRS).
Seniors
The Senior Legal Hotline: www.seniorlegalhotline.org
The Senior Legal Hotline provides free legal advice and brief services by phone or Internet to California residents 60 and over.
Other inquiries and requests (not calls for legal advice): (916) 551-2145 or by e-mail: seniorhotline_office@lsnc.net
Senior Community Service Employment Program(SCSEP)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides part-time work-based training opportunities at local community service agencies for older workers who have poor employment prospects and assists with the transition of individuals to private or other employment opportunities in the community. The program provides a variety of supportive services to the individual such s personal and job-related counseling, job training, and job referral.
For more information about this program in your area, call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-510-2020
Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides low-income seniors with check booklets of $320/ season that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs from 1,200 farmers at 350 Certified Farmers’ Markets from May through November. Participant eligibility is minimum age of 60 with a maximum income of $19,240.
For more information, visit: www.cdfa.ca.gov/seniorfarmersmrktnutritionprgm
Eldercare.gov: www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Home.aspx
The Eldercare Locator is your first step for finding local agencies, in every U.S. community, that can help older persons and their families access home and community-based services like transportation, meals, home care, and caregiver support services
Automobile
Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair
You've had an accident and had your car repaired. But how do you know the repairs were made correctly? If you're a California consumer, you can find out by getting a free auto body inspection from experts at the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair [BAR] Many consumers are not aware that auto body repairs performed on their vehicles could be substandard or that they may not have received the parts and repairs they or their insurance company paid for.
The DCA educates consumers by giving them the information they need to avoid unscrupulous or unqualified people who promote deceptive products or services. DCA informs the public through publications which are available online.
Every other year consumers with a car must pass a biennial Smog Check inspection to complete their DMV registration renewal notice. Did you know that if your car fails Smog Check, qualified consumers may obtain $1,000 to retire the car? Getting polluting cars off the road is part of the BAR's Drive Healthy campaign. To obtain an application and to see if you qualify go to www.DriveHealthy.com, or call us toll free at (800) 952-5210 for an application.)
Consumer Assistance Program
The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) provides financial assistance for qualified consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial (every-other-year) Smog Check.
For more information, visit: www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/01_CAP&GoldShield/Factsheets/Consumer_Assist_FAQs.html
Or apply here: http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/ftp/pdfforms/CAP_App.pdf
