File your TAXES for FREE in NYC!

The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs is offering a comprehensive list of resources for you to file your taxes for free or at a low cost.  This is especially useful for unemployed or under-employed New Yorkers.  You can file your taxes online or can file with a professional.  The site includes locations offering free or low-cost services, as well as resources for you to file your own taxes.  You should check out the site to see if you qualify to get your taxes filed for free!  Every penny counts!

Free Driving Lessons for Unemployed New Yorkers

Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) offers a plethora of job-training programs to help you build your skills, especially if you are unemployed.  One of the programs they offer is "New York Drives" which helps the unemployed or under-employed obtain their New York State Driver's License for free.  It is a 6-week training which provides all the necessary tools to eventually take the road test.  After you obtain your driver's license you will be eligible to join their other training programs such as the "Made in NY" Production Assistant training program, which trains you for a career in TV and Film.

Government Benefits for Unemployed New Yorkers

There are tons of benefits for unemployed New Yorkers available from the government, including career training courses, job placement programs and much more.

The US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (http://www.doleta.gov/) offers a plethora of benefits available through “One Stop Career Centers” located nationwide.  On the service locator link (http://www.servicelocator.org/) you can search for a Career Center near you, which can help you with any benefits you need while you’re unemployed.  These career centers help you with your resume, with job searches, placement programs, and my personal favorite the career/educational training.  

All of the career centers offer lists of training programs which can help you learn marketable skills to help you find a job.  While unemployed you can improve your computer skills, learn a new language, learn a new trade, etc…anything that you can add to your resume to qualify you for more jobs.  Many of these training centers accept vouchers provided by the government, to help you cover the costs of these classes.  The career center of your choice will help you find these vouchers for free. 

There are many other benefits offered by the government while you are unemployed.  The government has created a page on which you can search for that benefits you are eligible for (http://www.benefits.gov/). On this site you can search through specific categories available (such as Career Development Assistance, Education/Training, Housing Assistance, Childcare Assistance, Health/Disability, etc…) OR you can just answer some questions about yourself and the website will provide a list of benefits you may qualify for. 

Don’t think twice about visiting the aforementioned websites if you are unemployed.  You may be paying for a service out of pocket that you can easily get for free from the government.