By providing free on-line tools, educational materials, and volunteer support, the AARP Foundation helps improve the financial security of Americans with limited incomes, with a special focus on adults 50+, women, people of color, and grandparents raising grandchildren.

The AARP Foundation can help you:

· Increase your income through improved job skills, work opportunities, public benefits and tax credits, and improved money management assistance.

· Plan ahead for caregiving responsibilities and identify resources in advance, so you can make informed choices about how to spend your resources and time to support a loved one.

· Find local resources and support when caring for grandchildren.

AARP Foundation Programs, Tools and Resources:

Increase Your Income

Improve your job skills:

WorkSearch can help older workers, with and low-to-moderate incomes, assess their job skills, identify jobs that fit their skills, and gain training and work experience. And for those 55 or older who meet income guidelines, WorkSearch can provide an hourly wage during training through its Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

Find a site near you: WorkSearch sites are in certain states only-www.aarpworksearch.org or call or email 1-866-664-5365 or worksearch@aarp.org

The Women's Scholarship Program is open to women 40+ whose income is within 150% of poverty. Priority is given to women who are raising the children of another family member, those in dead end jobs and those who have been out of the paid workforce for five or more years. The program does not offer scholarships for graduate degrees. It seeks primarily to assist women who are in the final stages of their college or trade program. Scholarships range from $500-$5,000.

Get a fact sheet at: http://www.aarpfoundationwlc.org/

Access online tools and apply at: http://www.aarpfoundationwlc.org

Enroll in public benefits that help cover costs:

Benefits QuickLINK is a one-stop resource to find and apply for programs that help cover basic needs. Find out if you, your parent, or your children might qualify for 15 of the most valuable free and low-cost programs that can help cover the cost of groceries, health care, prescription drugs and utilities. Answer a short list of question and get fact sheets, applications, and local agency information.

Access Benefits QuickLINK at: www.aarp.org/quicklink

Order print materials: To order a "Public Benefits that Can Help Americans 50+" State Fact Sheet, call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)

Access materials online: Download a Fact Sheet at www.aarp.org/money/lowincomehelp/quicklink

Get Tax Credits:

AARP Tax-Aide offers free, face-to-face tax assistance and preparation at nearly 6,700 AARP Tax-Aide sites nationwide each year from late January/early February through April 15, located in senior centers, libraries, community centers, and at other convenient locations.

Find a site near you: https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp to find sites by zip code or call 1-888-227-7669.

Access online assistance: To get answers to tax questions 24/7, all year long, go to www.aarp.org/taxaide and submit a question. Trained AARP Tax Aide volunteers will answer them.

Get help managing your basic finances:

Money Management helps low-income older adults or people with disabilities who have difficulty budgeting, paying routine bills, and keeping track of financial matters. The program also provides a variety of booklets with basic financial information, such as budgeting, credit, and debt.

Find a site near you: Money Management Program available in certain states only - check http://www.aarpmmp.org/mm_program.cfm for list of states

Access materials online: at http://www.aarpmmp.org/mm_program.cfm

Order print materials: To order the Smart Money Budget Book or 15 Minutes to Financial Security, or any other Money Management print materials call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)

Figure Out if a Reverse Mortgage is the right choice for you:

The Reverse Mortgage Education Project (RMEP) provides phone assistance, on-line tools, and print materials to help people make the right choices. Reverse Mortgages can help adults over 62 who meet income guidelines to borrow some of the accumulated equity in their homes without having to repay the loan until they sell the home or permanently move away. RMEP educates eligible individuals about Reverse Mortgages and other alternatives.

Find a reverse mortgage counselor near you: Call or email 1-800-209-8085 or rmcounsel@aarp.org

Access online tools including the Home Made Money booklet at www.aarp.org/revmort

Order print materials: A single copy of either the English or Spanish version of Home Made Money: A Consumer's Guide to Reverse Mortgages is free to consumers who call 1-800-209-8085. www.hecmresources.org/project/proje_consumer_materials.cfm

Care for Relatives

Care for Older Relatives:

Prepare to Care helps adults and their family members create a caregiving plan for an aging parent or other relative before a crisis occurs.

Access online tools: www.aarp.org/foundation/preparetocare

Order print materials: To order Prepare to Care Planning Guides email or call benefits@aarp.org or 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277)

Care for Grandchildren:

The AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program serves grandparents in their various roles, with a special focus on those caring for grandchildren, primarily through an extensive website featuring articles and online tools and resources to help grandparents find local support groups, state and local level resources, and public benefits. Find national, state, and local level resources, services, and programs.

Access online tools: The GrandCare Toolkit at www.aarp.org/grandparents

Order print materials: 1-888-GRAND-18 (1-888-472-6318) or gic@aarp.org