Government Benefits and Government Mandated Benefit Program Resources:

1. http://m.usa.gov/usa/Contact/Elected - Contact information for federal and state elected officials (President, Vice President, U. S. Senators, U. S. Representatives, State Governors, and State Legislators). Includes member name, party affiliation, e-mail address, phone number, office address, and Committee assignment(s). There is a zip code finder to help you easily find your representative (just type in your home zip code). Once you locate your representatives, you can send them a message and let them know what's on your mind and what's important to you
2. http://www.statelocalgov.net/ - Contact information for local officials and governments (cities, counties, townships)
3. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/ - Learn about Medicare Benefits and apply online for Medicare Benefits
4. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/retirement.htm - Learn about Social Security Retirement Benefits and apply online for Social Security Retirement Benefits
5. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator/ - Social Security Retirement Plan Estimator - In less than one minute, you can receive an online estimate of your Social Security Retirement Benefits. Anytime. Free of charge
6. http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp - Contact information for your local unemployment insurance office. You can apply for benefits online or by phone and locate your local unemployment insurance benefits office. Scroll to the bottom of the page to choose the state you live in (or click on the map)
7. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/cobraemployee.html - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) - COBRA is a federal law that allows you to maintain your employer-sponsored health insurance when you terminate employment (except if termination is due to gross misconduct, your employer has less than 20 employees, or your employer is the federal government, a church, or church-related organization). COBRA coverage is temporary, and you pay the total cost of coverage. Learn more by clicking on the link
8. http://www.cobrahealth.com/statelawdirectory.htm - Most states have "mini-COBRA" laws. Check them out here
9. http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/ - Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)is a federal statute that allows you to take an unpaid leave of absence for specific serious medical and personal reasons. It protects you from being fired if you, for example, are temporarily unable to work because of a serious health issue. Information about the FMLA is available in several languages on this site. Always contact your Human Resources department representative to apply for FMLA leave and complete the required paperwork in the provided time
10. http://www.ada.gov/q%26aeng02.htm Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)- Review the employment section to learn more about your protections under this federal law
11. http://www.workerscompensation.com/workers_comp_by_state.php - Workers' Compensation (WC) Insurance (by state). You may be eligible for pay (loss wages) and medical benefits if injured during employment. Immediately contact your Human Resources or Risk/Safety department to complete an incident report if you injure yourself at work

Resources for Work-based Benefits:

1. http://www.401khelpcenter.com/Employee_index.html - Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about 401(k) plans
2. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Medical information confidentiality, privacy, and security
3. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p919/ar02.html - IRS Publication 919 - Use this publication to determine if you have too much or too little federal income tax withheld from your pay. Once you know if the desired amount is or is not being withheld, fill out a new Form W-4 and submit it to your Payroll department
4. http://www.healthcare.gov/law/index.html - Health Care Reform Act - Timeline: what and when key parts of the Act will take effect