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FAQ
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In this section, find answers to common questions about finances and a list of additional resources to help you access affordable health care, free tax preparation, and much more. If you don’t find your question below, or you need additional resources, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211bayarea.org.
ANSWERS TO COMMON FINANCIAL QUESTIONSA bank told me I am on ChexSystems. What does this mean and how do I get a copy of my ChexSystems report?
I have no idea what my credit is like. Where can I get a copy of my credit report?
I think my identity has been stolen. Where can I find help with identity theft?
I am having trouble paying my bills; how can I reduce my debt?
I am worried I might need to declare bankruptcy; where can I go for help?
I have a mortgage and now I am worried about being foreclosed; who can I call?
I am a Mexican citizen and I don't have a California driver's license. How do I get a Mexican Matricula card?
I am a Guatemalan citizen and I don't have a California driver's license. How do I get a Guatemalan Consular ID?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Free Tax Preparation
Working Families Credit Program
Discounted Transportation Passes
Affordable Health Coverage
Food Assistance
Nutritional Support for Pregnant Women, Mothers, and Young
Childcare Advice, Help with Childcare Costs, and Family Support Services
Help with Your Career
Help with Utility Bills
Lower Your AT&T Phone Bill
Affordable Auto Insurance
Home Buying Assistance
Rental Assistance
A bank told me I am on ChexSystems. What does this mean and how do I get a copy of my ChexSystems report?
A copy of your ChexSystems report can help you understand why you have been denied opening a bank account. If you have been denied in the past 60 days because of ChexSystems, you can access your report online. Otherwise you can write to ChexSystems, Inc. to send you your report. Click here to access your report.I have no idea what my credit is like. Where can I get a copy of my credit report?
You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus (Transunion, Experion, and Equifax) every year. You can request and view your report online. Click here to view your report.The Federal Reserve Bank has published a pamphlet explaining your credit report, why your credit score is important, and how to use your report. Click here to view this tool.
I think my identity has been stolen. Where can I find help with identity theft?
The Federal Trade Commission provides an entire Web site about identity theft, including how to prevent identity theft and how to recover your identity if it has been stolen. Click here to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site “Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.”The Federal Reserve Bank has also published a guide on “How to Establish, Use, and Protect your Credit.” Click here to view the guide.
I am having trouble paying my bills; how can I reduce my debt?
In the San Francisco area, you can call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCSSF), a nonprofit financial resource center that offers tools to help you set and achieve financial goals. Click here to visit their Web site.If your goal is to eliminate or manage your debt, CCCSSF also offers free, confidential consultations to help you achieve this goal. Click here to visit the CCCSSF Web site. Or call (800) 777-PLAN Monday through Thursday between 8 A.M. and 6 P.M. (Pacific Time), or Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
I am worried I might need to declare bankruptcy; where can I go for help?
In the San Francisco area, you can call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCSSF), a nonprofit financial resource center that offers tools to help you set and achieve financial goals. To view their tools, click here. If your goal is to avoid filing for bankruptcy or to understand the bankruptcy process, they will counsel you through the process. Click here to learn more about this service.I have a mortgage and now I am worried about being foreclosed; who can I call?
You are not alone. Call the National Foreclosure Prevention Hotline: (888) 995-HOPE where your call will be answered by a homeownership counselor who can understand your situation and help with your next steps. You can also click here to visit their Web site. The City of San Francisco also has a program called “Don’t Borrow Trouble,” that can help with mortgage issues. Call (888) 780-5850 for help today.I am a Mexican citizen and I don’t have a California driver’s license. How do I get a Mexican Matricula card?
To apply for a Matricula card from the San Francisco Mexican Consulate office, you must make an appointment with the Consulate. Click here to access their Web site and learn about eligibility requirements and how to make an appointment. Or call (877) MEXITEL.I am a Guatemalan citizen and I don’t have a California driver’s license. How do I get a Guatemalan Consular ID?
Visit the San Francisco Guatemalan Consulate office’s Web site for the eligibility criteria to apply. Click here to access the Web site. Click here for the consulate office address and contact information.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Use this list of resources to get help reducing your everyday expenses, claim all of the credits and benefits you are owed, and start building assets for the future.
Free Tax Preparation
Tax-Aid provides free high-quality tax return preparation for Bay Area families with incomes less than $42,000. Tax-Aid sites are located throughout San Francisco. Click here to visit their web site.Working Families Credit Program
Claim tax credits, benefits, and other services for low-income working families in our city through the Working Families Credit (WFC) program. The WFC gives a $100 bonus to low-income working families and connects you with a wide range of other resources, benefits, and discounts. Click here to learn more, or call (415) 557-6284.Discounted Transportation Passes
You may be eligible to purchase one discounted Muni pass (called “Muni Lifeline”) for $35 per month. Individuals receiving assistance through CAAP, CalWORKS, Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, and/or financial assistance for utilities may also be eligible. For more information, call (415) 557-5900, or click here to visit the San Francisco City and County Human Services Web site.Affordable Health Coverage
Get assistance finding low-cost health insurance for you and your children through the San Francisco Health Plan (SFHP). Learn how to apply for Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, and Healthy Kids & Young Adults. Call (415) 777-9992 or 1 (888) 558-5858, or click here to visit the San Francisco City and County Human Services Web site.Food Assistance
You may be eligible to receive a card (like an ATM card) to help buy groceries and get up to several hundred dollars a month in food assistance. Call the SF Food Assistance Program at (415) 558-1001 or click here to visit their Web site.Nutritional Support for Pregnant Women, Mothers, and Young
The Women, Infants, & Children Program provides supplemental foods, breastfeeding and nutrition education, and referral to health care for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an infant or children under five years of age. To find out how to receive their services, call (415) 575-5788, or click here to visit their Web site.Childcare Advice, Help with Childcare Costs, and Family Support Services
Find free, multilingual resources and referrals for child care through the following organizations:• Children’s Council: Call (415) 343-3300 or click here to visit their Web site.
• Wu Yee Children’s Services: Call (415) 677-0100, or click here to visit their Web site.
Help with Your Career
Get help finding a new job or building skills to grow your career. One Stop centers offer you workshops (job searches and resume writing), job listings, events with employers, training, Internet access, phones, and fax and copy services. Click here to visit the One Stop Web site. You can also call or visit one of the following convenient locations:• Mission Career Link: 3120 Mission Street at Cesar Chavez, (415) 401-4800
• Civic Center Career Link: 801 Turk Street, (415) 749-7503
• Southeast Career Link: 1800 Oakdale Avenue, (415) 970-7762
Help with Utility Bills
You may be eligible for help with your gas and electric bill. For more information, call PG&E at 1 (866) 743-2273, or click here to visit their Web site.Lower Your AT&T Phone Bill
If you currently receive Medi-Cal, SSI, Food Stamps, Healthy Families, or WIC, you may qualify for help with up to half the cost of your basic residential phone bill through AT&T California Lifeline. For more information, call AT&T at 1 (800) 288-2020, or click here to visit their Web site.Affordable Auto Insurance
If you have a good driving record, are at least 19 years old, have had a license for at least 3 years, and own a car valued below $20,000, you may be eligible for auto insurance that costs under $400 a year. To learn more about California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA), made possible by California’s Department of Insurance, call CLCA at 1 (866) 602-8861, or click here to visit their Web site. Assistance is available in all languages.Home Buying Assistance
Low- and moderate-income buyers can work toward purchasing an affordable home in San Francisco. There are many organizations in San Francisco working to help educate you about the process, and help you purchase your new home.• Mayor’s Office of Housing: Call (415) 701-5500, or click here to visit their Web site.
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of SF (CCSF): Call 1 (800) 777-7526, or click here to visit their Web site.
• Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA): Call (415) 282-3334, or click here to visit their Web site.
• San Francisco Housing Development Corporation: Call (415) 822-1022, or click here to visit their Web site.
• San Francisco Urban Community Housing Corporation: Call (415) 252-0949, or click here to visit their Web site.
