Did you know January is Staying Healthy Month? Start your New Year off right by using Benefits.gov to find the information you need to stay healthy in 2012!

Are you interested in improving your health, but not sure where to start due to a disability? You can find support and information through the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD), a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Illinois at Chicago, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The NCPAD collects data and provides information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while living with a disability, where to find a personal trainer who specializes in working with the disabled and how to find a park with accessible features.

If you live in an area that is medically unserved or underserved, HHS offers a program that may help. The Consolidated Health Care Centers program provides services to people living in lower income communities who may not be able to afford health care, such as public housing residents, school-aged children, or migrant farm workers. The Health Care Centers provide comprehensive primary and preventative care to anyone - regardless of their ability to pay.

Breast and cervical cancer are two of the most common types of cancer to occur in women. That’s why it’s important to get screened every year. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) helps low-income, uninsured and underserved women gain access to lifesaving screening programs for early detection of breast and cervical cancers. NBCCEDP provides clinical breast examinations, mammograms and Pap tests for eligible women who participate in the program, as well as diagnostic testing for women whose screening outcome is abnormal.

We encourage you to explore the numerous benefits that our partner agencies have to offer by visiting the Browse by Federal Agency page on Benefits.gov. Or, to find out which benefits you may be eligible for, click "Start Now" on the homepage to use our simple and confidential Benefit Finder.

Stick with Benefits.gov to stay healthy in 2012!

With tax season just around the corner, it’s never too early to start thinking about the best way for you to file your taxes.

This year, the deadline to file tax returns for income earned in 2011 is April 17, 2012. Once you’ve collected your documentation of income, donations, investments, and other important transactions, consider using IRS Free-File. This fast, safe and free way to file your taxes is available starting January 17, 2012.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers advice and assistance to taxpayers through resources like the IRS Tax Assistant, an online tool, and the 2011 Tax Guide for Individuals. The IRS Frequently Asked Questions page can also help you quickly find answers to specific questions about your taxes. If you need more personal help, you might be eligible for the tax-related forms of government assistance that are available.

Low-income taxpayers may be eligible to attend a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). These free tax preparation clinics are located around the country and exist to help those who cannot afford professional tax assistance, or who speak English as a second language (ESL) and need help understanding their taxpayer rights and responsibilities. Taxpayers with low to moderate incomes, disabilities, or limited English skills, in need of tax assistance can go to a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. The VITA program provides volunteers to help prepare basic tax returns for free and some VITA sites even offer free electronic filing (e-filing).

Members of the military may also be eligible to participate in VITA. Prior to filing, military members should be aware of the Armed Forces Tax Benefits, which include tax credits and relief for special tax situations of active members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Citizens over the age of 60 can receive free tax preparation, and often e-filing, assistance from IRS certified volunteers through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program, offered at community locations across the country.

If you are still unable to resolve your tax issue or you have received a notice from the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service might be able to help. The Taxpayer Advocate Service helps taxpayers navigate the IRS dispute process and can be used when your tax problem is posing financial problems for your family or business.

Benefits.gov wants you to have a stress-free tax season. To find out if you are eligible for these and over 1,000 other forms of government assistance, click the “Start Now” button on the homepage to use our free and easy Benefit Finder. To view more tax-related programs, visit the Browse by Category page and select “Tax Assistance.”

Whether it’s a loan, a credit card or your mortgage, understanding the terms and agreements of a financial institution is complex and often intimidating. Ever wonder if anyone is looking out for your best interests?

Well, now they are. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created by Congress to regulate everything from credit cards to home loans.

Formed in September 2010, the bureau is an independent unit funded by and located inside the United States Federal Reserve, and connected to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The bureau will write and enforce bank rules, conduct bank examinations, monitor and report on markets, as well as collect and track consumer complaints.

CFPB’s main duties include:

• Conducting rule-making, supervision, and enforcement for Federal consumer financial protection laws
• Restricting unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices
• Taking consumer complaints
• Promoting financial education
• Researching consumer behavior
• Monitoring financial markets for new risks to consumers
• Enforcing laws that outlaw discrimination and other unfair treatment in consumer finance

CFPB launched its user-friendly and interactive website in early February 2011 with suggestions from consumers via YouTube, Twitter and its own website interface. In its first six months, the bureau has regularly reached out to community banks and credit unions to understand and include the viewpoints of small depository institutions in its policy-making process.

In the spirit of open government, CFPB’s ongoing Know Before You Owe program included the feedback of tens of thousands of comments from consumers that were then used to simplify the mortgage process and mortgage loan forms. Also, as part of this program, CFPB developed a suggested standard, reader-friendly credit card agreement that financial institutions may use to clearly explain requirements to consumers.

Treasury offers several other benefits to assist citizens in making informed financial decisions, ranging from a wide variety of tax benefits to the Internal Revenue Service’s Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Program.

To view a list of Treasury benefits on Benefits.gov, visit the Browse by Federal Agency page and select “U.S. Department of the Treasury.” To find out if you are eligible for these and other benefits, click “Start Now” on the homepage to use our simple and confidential Benefit Finder.

As the days get shorter and temperatures get cooler, those energy bills seem to just keep going up. 

The average American spends around $2,000 per household on energy costs each year according to the Energy Department -- and about 45 percent of those costs are heating-related. But did you know that there are many simple things you can do to lower your energy bills this winter?

Earlier this year, the Energy Department launched Saving Money by Saving Energy (also on Facebook), a national campaign dedicated to educating citizens on energy usage and ways to save on utility bills.

Below are just a few of the suggested tips that can help you lower energy costs. Learn about even more ways to save by downloading or ordering a free copy of the Energy Savers Booklet.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products. (Note: Be sure to check out products recognized as the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient in 2011.)
• Upgrade traditional light bulbs for your home. Upgrading 15 light bulbs could save you about $50 per year.
• Turn off your computer and monitor when they’re not in use and plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips that can easily be turned off when the equipment is not in use.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed to ensure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
• Identify air leaks in your home and seal them with weatherstripping.

Some of these simple changes can also make you eligible for certain tax credits and rebates. The Rebates, Tax Credits and Financing page on EnergySavers.gov provides information on the many financial incentives and benefits you could receive for increasing your energy efficiency.

If you are a senior citizen or you know someone who needs assistance this winter, read about the low and no-cost tips to help seniors stay warm on the Energy Savers Blog. For additional assistance, the Energy Department offers the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low Income Persons, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for those who need help with energy-related costs.

To find out if you are eligible for these and over 1,000 forms of government assistance, use our simple and confidential Benefit Finder by clicking “Start Now” on the Benefits.gov homepage.

The following publications recently featured Benefits.gov as a valuable resource for citizens. To read the full story, click on the article title below or "Read more…"

Stay Warm and Save Money this Winter with Tips from the Energy Department
Energy.gov
Editor's note: This article was originally posted on Benefits.gov. As the days get shorter and temperatures get cooler, those energy bills seem to just keep going up…
Read more…

BeeLocal: Places That Matter – Benefits.gov
Beelocal.thebeehive.org
This website provides personalized information about a wide range of government benefits that might be available to you and your family…
Read more…

What You Need to Know About Benefits.gov
Topgovernmentgrants.com
Have you been looking for personal financial assistance from the federal government recently? Have you been looking for personal benefits from the federal government?…
Read more…

Check out what our Facebook Fans are posting about us and what our Twitter Followers are retweeting!

Facebook.com/BenefitsGov:

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• “A great site for reviewing government benefits” “This is an excellent website for resources, i.e education, housing info etc.”
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• “If you would like to see what benefits the government offers this is a great site.”

Twitter.com/BenefitsGOV:

@BenefitsGOV: State Dept offers many opportunities for tomorrow's leaders - Find out if you are eligible & how to apply! Read here:
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@BenefitsGOV: Are you a Veteran? Senior? Student? Homeowner? Parent? Visit http://Benefits.gov to find benefit programs you may be eligible for.
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@BenefitsGOV: Are you in the market to buy your first home? http://Benefits.gov houses Federal resources that may ease the process:
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@BenefitsGOV: While waiting for the economy to recover, take advantage of the opportunities that SBA can offer your growing business!
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@BenefitsGOV: Did you know that http://Benefits.gov offers a Spanish language site? Visit http://es.benefits.gov to view Benefits.gov en Español!
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Benefits.gov is dedicated to keeping citizens updated on all government benefit and assistance programs. If you want the latest in benefit information or are interested in helping your community or website visitors find us, check out the many ways you can stay connected and share our site with others.

Subscribe to Benefits.gov Email Updates!
Visitors to Benefits.gov can ensure they receive the latest information on specific programs of interest. Enter your email address in the box provided under "Subscribe to Benefits.gov Email Updates" on our homepage and select the Benefits.gov pages of your interest. You can also click on "Subscribe to email updates" on any page on the site to receive emails about changes to that specific program or page.

Connect with Benefits.gov's eNewsletter!
Over 60,000 citizens are reading the Benefits.gov Compass along with you! Our increasing readership confirms that more and more Americans are finding valuable benefit information through the Benefits.gov website and want to stay informed. Share the Benefits.gov Compass with your friends and family so they can take advantage of all that Benefits.gov has to offer.

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Do you Tweet? Do you "Like" your favorite pages on Facebook? So do we! Follow Benefits.gov on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook to receive our benefit-related updates, news and information that may benefit you or someone you know.

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Want to tell others about the site, a program you came across, or an informative article you read? Use our "Share" button on the top right corner of our site to post any Benefits.gov page through any of your email or social media tools. Share the wealth of benefit information!

Link to Us!
Linking to Benefits.gov helps raise awareness of this important resource. If you'd like to inform your site's visitors about the official benefits website of the U.S. government and provide them with access to over 1,000 Federal and state benefit and assistance programs, please place a link to us in a readily visible area of your website, such as on your homepage or in your site footer. For complete linking instructions, visit our Link to Us page.

Happy New Year!

Benefits.gov is proud to announce that this New Year also brings with it new, free Benefits.gov brochures!

Currently available for download in English and Spanish, these colorful tri-fold Benefits.gov brochures are complete with interactive links, explanations of features and tools, helpful tips, and direct access to Benefits.gov and our social media accounts. Share these brochures with friends, family, or others in need of government assistance, or help yourself learn how to use Benefits.gov to best meet your specific needs.

Brochure features:

• Benefit Finder tips and pictures
• Descriptions of the four other ways to search for benefits
• Direct links to Benefits.gov, its features and social media accounts
• Tips on how to stay connected to benefit information
• Frequently Asked Questions

These brochures are located on the left side of the Community Advocates page on Benefits.gov. Just simply click on the link to download and then “Save” the document to your computer. You will then be able to print and email the brochures at your leisure.

If you are a Community Advocate, these brochures can act as helpful teaching and learning aids when using Benefits.gov with your clients. Our Community Advocates page provides tips and information on how Benefits.gov can help you help others, however, if you have further questions, please feel free to Contact Us.

We hope these brochures are informative and answer any questions you may have about Benefits.gov, but most of all we hope that they help you easily find your way on your path to government benefits.