Financial Literacy Month Resource Center Launch

*April is Financial Literacy Month, and NYSIF is sharing free resources to help you manage your money, avoid extra fees, and access your benefit payments more easily.

We’ve launched a Financial Literacy Month Resource Center, bringing together free, easy to understand resources to help you make the most of your benefits and reduce financial stress while you recover.*

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| #### Educational Programs & Tools

These sites offer self-paced learning, workshops, and specific financial roadmaps. | |
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| Description | Link |
| Money Smart | FDIC.gov: This link takes you to the FDIC’s Money Smart program, a comprehensive financial education suite designed to help people of all ages enhance their money management skills | Money Smart | FDIC.gov |
| MyMoney Five & Tools | MyMoney.gov: A federal "one-stop shop" that organizes resources around five key principles: Earn, Save & Invest, Protect, Spend, and Borrow. | Money Five & Tools | MyMoney.gov |
| consumer.gov | what to know and do: A plain-language guide from the FTC that breaks down the absolute basics of money, credit, and avoiding common scams. | consumer.gov | what to know and do |
| Personal Finance Ecosystem | NEFE: Provides Provides a "visual roadmap" that helps you understand the different factors—from values to policy—that influence your overall financial well-being. | Defining the Personal Finance Ecosystem and Visual Roadmap| NEFE |
| Financial Literacy Resource Directory | OCC: A massive directory of federal and non-profit resources meant for both consumers and financial educators to find vetted programs. | Financial Literacy Resource Directory | OCC |

| #### Personalized Counseling

Use these links if you need one-on-one help or specialized local advocacy. | |
| --- | |
| Description | Link |
| NYC Financial Empowerment Centers – ACCESS NYC: Offers free, professional one-on-one financial counseling to help you reduce debt, improve credit, and open safe bank accounts. | NYC Financial Empowerment Centers – ACCESS NYC |
| Financial Empowerment & Advocacy | NYLAG: Provides free legal services and financial coaching to New Yorkers in crisis, focusing on economic justice and stability. | FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT & ADVOCACY - New York Legal Assistance Group |
| Business Center Financial Resources | The New York Public Library: Offers one-on-one consultations with librarians, premium financial databases, and webinars for personal finance and small business research. | Business Center Financial Resources | The New York Public Library |

| #### Government Regulation & Protection

These agencies oversee financial industries and protect your rights as a consumer. | |
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| Description | Link |
| Consumer Home Page | Department of Financial Services (DFS): The primary regulator for NY financial services; visit here to file complaints and get help with financial products. | Consumer Home Page | Department of Financial Services |
| Consumer Resources | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Offers free, professional one-on-one financial counseling to help you reduce debt, improve credit, and open safe bank accounts. | https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/ |
| Financial Literacy | Office of the New York State Comptroller: Provides targeted financial guidance for specific individuals such as people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans, alongside tools for identifying scams and reporting identity theft. | Financial Literacy | Office of the New York State Comptroller |