Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 30 resources
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Beware of Bad Tax Advice and Unreliable Return Preparation
Be an informed consumer when selecting a tax preparer. Going to an inexperienced or unethical return preparer can hit you in your pocket book. Filing returns with inflated deductions or credits can result in you owing back taxes, interest and penalties.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Beware of Suspicious e-Mails and Identity Theft
(Separate Website)
This IRS site has alerts about various email scams and articles to help you protect yourself online.
By: Internal Revenue Service
Consumer Brochures
(Separate Website)
Helpful information from the National Consumer Law Center for consumers and advocates on a range of issues from bankruptcy to telemarketing fraud.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Consumer Issues When You Don't Say I Do
A variety of issues can come up when a couple lives together but is not married. This resource takes a look at consumer issues that can arise.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Credit Counselors: What to Expect, What to Avoid
Are you in debt and feel like you can't make any headway? One frequent piece of advice is to consolidate the debt and have a single monthly payment. This resource looks at factors you should consider.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
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
Do You Have a Junk Mail Problem?
To receive less commercial advertising mail, you can register for The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS), which allows you to “opt out” of national mailing lists.
Do You Owe Money to the State of Iowa?
If you do owe the State, don?t panic. There are several strategies that you can use to make sure you can provide for your basic necessities and pay your debts as well.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Drivers Who Can't Pay Fines, Court Costs or Related Charges
When the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) suspends someone's driver's license, it is much harder to remain financially independent. Many times the reason for not paying these fines and other charges is not having the money to do so. A little-known Iowa law can help with this problem.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Facts About Foreclosure
The following "factsheet" can be useful to help homeowners understand their rights when facing the loss of their home.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Bosnian / Bosanski
,
Spanish / Español
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Complaint Assistant Form (Separate Website)
(Separate Website)
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and episodes of violence in the media.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Financial Matters for Older Iowans
Many older Iowans may find themselves in unfamiliar territory when it comes to financial matters, especially after the death of a spouse who handled the family?s finances.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
FTC Consumer Information on Education
(Separate Website)
Consumer information for parents and students looking at scholarships, loans and residential treatment programs.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Funeral Purchases - Protections Under The FTC Funeral Rule
Your funeral may be one of the most expensive consumer purchases you or your family ever makes. To avoid overspending, it helps to understand your rights under the "Funeral Rule" enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC").
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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
Getting the Health Care Services You Need
Has your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid denied you help? You don?t have to take no for an answer.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Help With Pension Problems
Iowa Legal Aid is now part of the Upper Midwest Pension Rights Project. The Project provides free pension counseling, claims assistance, and counseling to help people collect pension benefits and improve their standard of living.
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
Identity Theft
Questions and answers about when when someone uses your name, Social Security number, date of birth, credit card or bank account information, or other personal information without your authorization to commit fraud.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Important Credit Card Protections
The CARD Act of 2009 gave consumers who use credit cards and gift cards many new protections. The new law went into full effect on February 22, 2010.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Iowa's Court Debt Settlement Program
Iowa's Debt Settlement program allows you to reduce your court debt by half by paying the other half in one lump sum.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Keeping Track of Medical Bills
(Separate Website)
Steps to avoid billing errors for medical care.
By: Consumers Union
Pre-Need Funeral Arrangements - Pros and Cons
There are many advantages to planning and paying for your funeral in advance. Iowa law has a number of provisions that protect consumers who make pre-need funeral arrangements.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs - Free or Low Cost Medications
Having a tough time stretching your budget to pay for expensive medications? A Prescription Drug
Patient Assistance Program may be able to help.
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Protecting Yourself from Telephone Marketing Fraud
Telemarketers often use illegal and deceptive practices such as contests, free prizes, sweepstakes, fake charities and other tricks to seduce older Iowans out of their hard-earned savings.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
READ THIS BEFORE USING ANY PART OF THE IOWA LEGAL AID WEBSITE (ILAW) If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help. Call Iowa Legal Aid. To find out which office serves your county, call 1-800-532-1275 or 515-243-2151 in the Des Moines calling area. If you are age 60 or over, you may be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 or 282-8161 in Des Moines. All numbers are Voice and TTY. Assistance in appealing denial of veterans benefits are also offered at no cost by county commission of veteran affairs offices as maintained pursuant to section 35B.6.
This Website Does NOT Give Legal Advice. When you use ILAW, you are just making a request for information. No part of this site or any link found through this site is meant to give you legal advice. Using any part of this site does not make you a client. If you send an e-mail to anyone you reach through this site, it does not make you a client of any lawyer. See a lawyer to get complete, correct, and up-to-date legal advice.
ILAW Only Has a General Summary of the Law. It is not meant to fully explain topics. Do not assume what you read on ILAW applies to your specific case. Also, the law may vary from state to state. What you find on this website may not apply where you live or to court actions filed in other states.
The Law Often Changes. Content on this site was correct when it was written. Check the date on each page. Do not assume what you see here is still correct when you read it.
Links. This website has links to other Internet sites. We have these links so you can find help on legal matters from the justice community. Other sites are responsible for all content on their sites.
E-mail. Using ILAW or sending e-mail through this website does NOT make you a client of any person or program you reach through this site. When you use e-mail, you risk having someone else access part or all of your message.
As You Look at this Website, Remember it is Not a Substitute for Legal Advice.
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.
