Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
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Debt Collection, Garnishment, Repossession
Ask cfpb: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
(Separate Website)
This page from the Consumer Financial Protection has information in question and answer format on various consumer financial issues including credit card, mortgages, credit reports and debt collection.
By: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Bankruptcy Basics
(Separate Website)
Bankruptcy Basics provides basic information on different aspects of federal bankruptcy laws. It also provides a basic explanation of the different chapters under which a bankruptcy case may be filed and answers some of the most commonly asked questions about the bankruptcy process.
By: United States Courts
Dealing With Medical Debt
It is important to plan for medical expenses. Equally important is knowing how to deal with medical bills when you have no money to pay them.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Debtor's Exams
If you owe money under a court judgment, you may be ordered to go to the court for a debtor?s exam.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Debts Owed to Federal Government Can Be Collected Through Social Security Benefit Checks
Iowans should know the U.S. Department of Treasury and Social Security Administration are working together to collect non-tax debts owed the U.S. Government. Since May 2001, people who owe a non-tax debt to the U.S. Government are subject to new actions to collect the money.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Deferment, Forbearance and Consolidation of Student Loan Debts
Higher education is expensive. After leaving school, many former students find it hard to meet their monthly student loan payments and it is easy to fall behind. A lot of former students do not know that there are alternatives out there that will help to either reduce or stop student loan payments before they fall behind.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Garnishment Overview and Changes
The federal minimum wage went up to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. If you work and if a creditor is garnishing part of your income to satisfy a judgment you owe, this could affect you.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Getting a Temporary Restricted License (TRL)
Many persons need a temporary restricted license (TRL) to handle life's daily responsibilities- getting
to and from work and school, getting groceries and other necessary errands.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How Can I Protect My Property from Creditors?
Even after there is a judgment against you, the law protects some income and property.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
How to Use Small Claims Court
(Separate Website)
This Manual has been prepared to assist persons who want to sue or defend themselves in Small Claims Court in Iowa without hiring a lawyer. It outlines the basic steps involved in bringing and defending a small claims action and answers some basic questions for the person who chooses to "go it alone."
By: Iowa State Bar Association
Mechanic's Lien
A lien is a claim against your property that can allow the person claiming the lien to sell your property or be paid if you sell your property.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
New Garnishment Rules for Creditors Since May 1
Are creditors threatening to take your money or property? A new law makes it more difficult for a creditor to take money or property from a debtor.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Payday Loans: An Expensive Way to Borrow Money
Payday loan businesses extend credit by giving cash in exchange for a check which is dated for some time in the future, also called a post-dated check. If you figure the interest rate on these loans the same way banks calculate interest rates on their loans, the Annual Percentage Rates you pay for these loans can range from 145% - 6442%!!!!!
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Protecting Against Garnishment
Garnishment takes away control of how you manage your money. The forced payments can upset your plans to get back on track to financial security.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
The "SCRA" is a federal statute passed by Congress to allow military members to suspend or postpone some civil obligations so the military member can devote his or her full attention to military duties.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Watch Your Wallet!
Getting into a debt-rut is a lot easier than getting out of it. Here are some tips about special pitfalls common to high-priced debt .
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Avoiding Gas and Electric Shutoff - Payment Plans and Other Remedies
Winter utility bills can create severe financial strains for many Iowans, especially for elderly Iowans on fixed incomes. If you cannot afford to pay your utility bills you have certain rights and remedies that can help you avoid disconnection.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Avoiding Gas and Electric Utility Shutoff (video)
(Separate Website)
What to do when your utility bills are piling up and you can't pay them.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Energy Assistance Programs Available
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income people pay for winter heating costs. The amount of money a person can get depends on household income and size, fuel used, and the type of housing. LIHEAP is not intended to take care of the whole bill. It helps cover costs where the need is greatest
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
New LIHEAP Rules Require Social Security Numbers and Protect Deployed Servicemembers
Community Action Programs continue to help low-income Iowans pay home heating bills with ?LIHEAP? or Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Iowa law protects families who qualify for LIHEAP with a ?winter moratorium? on shutoffs of natural gas and electricity.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
New Utility Regulations Offer New Protections to Customers
Under new rules effective Setember 22, 2004, a third party my receive service in their name provided they are creditworthy.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Reminder to Keep Paying on Utility Bills
It is still very important for customers who get LIHEAP assistance to keep paying on their utility bill during this time. It can cost a lot to heat a house or apartment during the winter months. Not paying monthly bills during the winter months can result in a big problem next spring.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Tenants and Utility Service Fees
A recent Iowa Utilities Board ruling concerns who should pay any additional charges to monitor the costs of natural gas when tenants do not have individual meters.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income people pay for winter heating costs. The amount of money a person can get depends on household income and size, fuel used, and the type of housing. LIHEAP is not intended to take care of the whole bill - it helps cover costs where the need is greatest.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Utility Customers Are Entitled to Reasonable Payment Agreements to Pay High Utility Bills
People who have not been able to pay their high utility bills from last winter are not automatically in danger of having their utilities disconnected. Rules of the Iowa Utilities Board require utilities to offer customers an opportunity to enter into a reasonable payment agreement to avoid having utilities disconnected if the customer is not behind on a previous payment agreement.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Iowa Legal Aid's goal is to communicate effectively with our clients. We can use large print, Relay Iowa, language translation service, or other steps for effective communication. Interpretation and translation services and reasonable accommodations will be provided at no cost to qualified applicants. Please let us know if any special service is needed to provide legal help to you.
The Iowa Legal Aid Website is a project of Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyer Projects of the Iowa State Bar and Polk County Bar Associations and HELP Legal Assistance.
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