Benefits
This federal program provides benefits ($$) for food on a monthly bases, you qualify by income
What is SNAP? (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps)
This type of template can be used to keep track of your income and expenses and help organize how you spend your money, the bills you have etc.
What is a budget sheet or template? Bonus point: Who can you go to to get a budget sheet or help with budgeting?
This is how many times you can check your credit report (score, open accounts, fraud etc,) per year for free
What is three times? One for each bureau (Experian, Equifax, and Transunion)
You get a call from "Social Security" saying your benefits will be canceled unless you provide personal information to restore them including your birthday, social security number etc. you should do what?
What is HANG UP!? Social Security will never call you, they communicate via mail. This is very likely a scam to get your personal information to commit fraud
This federal program may save you money on your Medicare Premiums and pays 20% of what Medicare does not, you qualify by income and medical needs
What is Medicaid? See your Service Coordinator to see if you qualify
Going over this document monthly can help you determine what credits and debits you have. It may help identify unnecessary/unknown spending or potential fraud
What is a bank statement?
This is something you can do if you are worried about credit fraud, it is a free service
What is place a credit freeze on your account? This way, you must be contacted directly before any new accounts are opened under your name and SS number
This federal benefit is apart of Social Security and you may qualify if your regular (SSA) benefit is relatively low, you are 65 and older, are blind, or disabled
What is SSI?
This county funded program provides food boxes monthly, you qualify by income
What is Commodities? OR What is Around Town Mobile Pantry?
This county funded center offers assistance by trained financial coaches who will look at your individual financial situation with you, help you track your spending and obligations, and look for opportunities to reduce debt and increase savings. It is at NO cost to you!
What is the Polk County Financial Empowerment Center?
This is the average interest rate on a payday loan
What is 400%? Which roughly comes out to $15 in interest for every $100 borrowed, but it can be as high as $30 for every $100 borrowed
This common scam looks like an individual (typically) online showing personal interest in you, paying compliments, asking for a relationship etc. and eventually using you for money/personal information after trust is gained
What is a romance scam?
This benefit is provided by Aging Resources and the Debt. of Agriculture to help local farmer's gain business and for individuals to eat healthier/fresh foods
What are Farmer's Market checks?
This is the best way or first step to starting a successful budget
What is list out all of your sources of income and fixed expenses (bills you must pay every month like rent or a phone bill.) and seeing how much you have left for other expenses like groceries, entertainment etc.
This is a type of credit card that requires a refundable security deposit, typically used to establish a credit limit, and is designed to help individuals build or rebuild credit history
What is a secured credit card? Secured credit cards are an alternative for individuals who may not qualify for traditional unsecured credit cards due to a lack of credit history or poor credit
This is a benefit you can apply for if you have extra expenses during the month and cannot make the payment for your housing. Bonus Point: Name an agency that can provide this benefit
What is rent assistance? Several agencies can assist with this including, Aging Resources, Polk County General Assistance, Cross Ministries, and Salvation Army
This benefit is a part of Medicare, Part C to be exact, and can provide monthly food benefits, as well as dental, vision, and hearing coverage
What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?
What are some ways you budget or save money?
Please share!
This is the average interest rate of a credit card
What is 22.8%? Can you guys name the pros and cons of having a credit card?
You get a call from Medicaid or Medicare services wanting you to switch your insurance plan, you currently have no out-of-pocket medical costs, what do you do?
What is HANG UP!? Insurance reps call folks all the time trying to get them to switch plans and earn commission. If you have no medical costs/issues with you insurance, don't switch! It can cause delays/interruptions to service. See you Service Coordinator with insurance questions.