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New Payday Loan Changes
For people living paycheck-to-paycheck, it is often difficult to have a safety net for unexpected financial cost. Many low-income people rely on small, unsecured, high interest, short-term payday loans.

This year, the Washington State Legislature passed two new payday lending laws this year in order to protect consumers who rely on these short-term loans while continuing to provide access for those who may not have borrowing alternatives. Some of the biggest changes went into effect on January 1, 2010. The new law:

• Limits the total loan(s) amount to $700 or 30% of the borrower’s gross monthly income, whichever is less.
• Limits the number of loans a borrower can take to eight in a 12-month period.
• Creates a single database for all payday loan companies to enter borrower data, thereby preventing lenders from making larger loans or more loans than is legally allowed.
• Replaces the previous payment plan with an installment plan for borrowers who can not pay back their loan as agreed. The installment plan is available at the borrower’s request at any time before their loan is due. The installment plan provides a longer payback time with no additional fees.
• New loans may not be made to borrowers in default or in an installment plan on existing loans.

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Complete information can be found at www.nsclc.org, the “National Senior Citizens Law Center.”

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SmokeFreeWashington.com is a new addition to Community Resources Online and provides information about the health risks associated with secondhand smoke.

Petfinder.com is a new addition to Community Resources Online and provides an on-line, searchable database of animals that need homes.

FAVOR - Free HIV Testing is a new addition to Community Resources Online and provides free confidential HIV testing to anyone in need, in partnership with Project Handle.

Compass Center and Lutheran Alliance To Create Housing officially merged on Jan 1, 2010 and are now called Compass Housing Alliance.

St. Stephen the Martyr is beginning a new program called “Backpacks for the Homeless” that provides backpacks with items such as ponchos and food for homeless individuals.

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January Resource Highlights
Seattle Indian Center Summer Youth Employment Experience offers a limited number of work experience positions during the summer months to eligible high school students. Interested parties should contact the Workforce Investment Act office in January for further information.

King County Bar Association Consumer Education and Training Service (CENTS) provides free, monthly in-person money-management classes and free money management classes online at www.centsprogram.org. Starting January, 2010 individual financial coaching will be available.

Washington Women in Need provides financial aid for tuition and books for up to two years of approved course work at accredited schools in the state of Washington. Applications for the next opening for the education grant will be available on the Web site for two days (Jan. 12&13, 2010), beginning at 8am.

February Resource Highlights
National Eating Disorders Association is sponsoring National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) held during the last week of February each year. Call for information and referral or access referral list on the Web site at http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

The City of Bellevue provides up to 75% discount on utility bills (water, sewer, garbage) for older adults and citizens with documented disabilities in the city of Bellevue. Senior and renters with disabilities who do not actually pay a utility bill, but pay through their rent, can also receive a rebate. Applicants can make appointments with city staff February 1 through November 30.

Seattle Children's - Stanley Stamm Children's Hospital Camp Applications are distributed beginning in February each year and the camp is usually full by April 1st. Coordinates a week-long summer camp in August for children with medical problems that disqualify them from other camping programs.

AARP - Seattle Office coordinates free income tax assistance programs from February 1 through April 15 each year. Service available to people of all ages who are middle- and low- income.

Senior Services Income Tax Assistance provides information on locations of tax assistance sites and programs which will send income tax assistance volunteers to the homes of homebound seniors or people with disabilities. Program begins in February.

Washington Women in Need provides financial assistance for health care. Focuses on preventive care including physical exams, hearing exams, Pap smears and mammograms. Does not pay for hospitalizations, cosmetic dentistry, braces or implants. Dental care may include major restorative work. Eye care may include exams and glasses. Assists between 20 and 30 women during each funding cycle. Pays a set fee schedule, and the upper limit of the grant is $3,000. Visit Web site in February to learn about the application process. Next grant opening will be in early spring of 2010.

Master Builders Care Foundation "Rampathon" weekend event coordinates volunteers who build wheelchair access ramps for low-income homeowners with long-term physical needs. Applications accepted through February annually for the May event.

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