USA.gov
The U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state, and local government web resources and services.
Emergency, Retirement, & Financial Aid
This government site helps you determine if your address is in a declared disaster area. It also links to local FEMA and Red Cross centers.
U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers all benefits for U.S. military veterans, their families, and survivors. This includes health care, educational, and burial benefits. The VA Applying for Benefits page covers the different kinds of benefits and how to apply for each.
Social Security Administration
The SSA manages social security payments, which includes retirement, disability, and survivor benefits that is paid in through a payroll tax on your wages. This page includes tools to understand your contributions so far and estimate future payments. In order to start receiving retirement benefits, like with Medicare, you need to enroll. Here is the link to the SSA online application for receiving retirement benefits.
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application
The FAFSA is a free student aid application managed by the U.S. Department of Education. Most colleges and universities encourage students to fill out this application as part of their process for determining finanial aid. Aid packages typically include a combination of grants (money you don't have to pay back), loans, and work-study funds.
Government Agencies & Officials
Contact U.S. Senators
This page lists all current U.S. Senators by state, links to their websites, phone numbers, and email addresse
Find My U.S. Representative
This page lets you enter your zip code to identify your U.S. Representative and gives you links to their website and contact information.
A to Z list of all federal agencies
This page lists all federal agencies and lets you search for an agency by name as well.
Health & Healthcare
Healthcare.gov
This site directs you, based on your state of residence, to purchase insurance through either the appropriate state or federal health insurance marketplace.
CDC Healthy Living site
The Centers for Disease Control's (CDC's) healthy living site covers specific health conditions, health at different life stages, and health considerations for specific populations.
Medicare home page
Medicare is a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over who have paid into the system through payroll taxes on their wages. In order to receive benefits, you need to enroll. This page, getting started with Medicare, gives more information about setting up Medicare.
Jobs & Unemployment
Federal Unemployment Information
If you've become unemployed through no fault of your own, or under certain eligibility requirements as outlined by state law, you qualify for unemployment benefits. This site covers those benefits and how to apply for them.
Iowa Workforce Development
Find a job, file unemployment and find information on programs or sevices available to you.
Find a federal government job
This page explains the federal hiring process for different kinds of positions, including jobs in federal agencies, apprenticeships, and internships. A companion page, USA.gov's general find a job page, covers ways to plan a job search, write resumes and cover letters, interview strategies, and more.
State & Federal Taxes
IRS tax forms and publications
If you are looking for a specific federal tax form or publication, you can find it through this site.
Federal Tax Information and Online Services for Indivudals
This site gives information about how to file, pay, and manage your taxes. It includes links to how to file for free if you are below a certain income threshold. There is also information for different individual situations, such as self-employment, military, parents, students, or retirees.
Iowa income tax forms and publications
Specific tax forms and publications for the state of Iowa.
Travel & Immigration
U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
STEP is a free service for U.S. citizens to be registered with nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate while traveling abroad. This allows the Embassy or Consulate to alert you about local safety issues while abroad and to facilitate communications in the case of an emergency.
Obtaining citizenship through naturalization
This page covers how to become a U.S. citizen, including through military service or marriage.
U.S. Passports and International Travel
This site covers applying for a passport, a requirement for traveling out of the country. Other links include travel checklists and U.S.-issued travel alerts and warnings.
Voting & Elections
Researching election candidates
This USA.gov website gives an overview on how to learn more about candidates during an election.
How to Vote
This website covers information on absentee voting, early voting, and voting on Election Day.
Voter registration information
A USA.gov website that lets you determine whether you are eligible to vote, deadlines for registering, and ID requirements for registering.
FTC Scam Reporting
This page allows you to report scams, fraud, and bad business practices to help protect your community.