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Welcome to your latest edition of the Federal Citizen Information Center's FEDINFO e-letter! These subscription e-letters from Pueblo are sent 4-6 times a year with helpful updates, practical information, and special offers to make your life a little easier. You can always find the latest information at our websites: pueblo.gsa.gov and FirstGov.gov.

This issue includes:


  • Image of a poster linking to GovBenefits.gov
    SHOW ME THE MONEY

    Whether it's a direct payment, loan, insurance, training, or other services -- there may be government benefit programs available to help you. GovBenefits.gov provides information on a variety of benefit and assistance programs for veterans, seniors, students, teachers, children, people with disabilities, dependents, disaster victims, farmers, caregivers, job seekers, prospective homeowners, and more.

    Visit GovBenefits.gov to start your search. Choose one of the following searches: Locate Federal Benefits, Locate State Benefits, Browse by Category, or Get Results by Questionnaire.

    This free, easy-to-use, and confidential online questionnaire can locate government benefit programs for which you may be eligible. You only have to answer a few confidential questions about yourself (no personal identity information such as name, Social Security Number, or phone number are required), and then GovBenefits.gov returns a customized report detailing the programs you may be eligible to receive and information on how to apply.

    Find out if you're eligible for any government benefit programs at: GovBenefits.gov.

    Are You Up-to-Date? Vaccinate!NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH

    August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month. This year's theme is “Are You Up to Date? Vaccinate!” August is the perfect time to remind everyone to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and medical personnel are gearing up for the upcoming busy flu season.

    Even though most vaccines are given to children under age 6, vaccinations aren't just for kids. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years and, for certain vaccines, booster immunization are recommended throughout life. Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling outside of the U.S. are recommended for travelers to specific regions of the world.

    Check out the recommended schedule for children and adults.


    Image of a man pumping gas into a car

    DON'T BE FOOLED BY FUEL-SAVING GADGETS

    With the summer road trip season in full swing and gas prices still at higher-than-normal prices, you might be tempted to buy a gas-saving device you've seen advertised, such as mixture "enhancers" and fuel line magnets. Don't be fooled -- most gas saving products don't work at all, and none have been found to significantly increase gas mileage. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), warns consumers to be wary of claims that automotive devices will “boost your mileage by an extra 6 miles per gallon,” “improve your fuel economy up to 26 percent,” or similar claims.

    Instead, the FTC recommends using some tried and true steps to deal with rising gas prices. Check out http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut10.shtm for helpful tips on:

  • Choosing the correct octane level gas
  • Driving efficiently
  • Maintaining your vehicle
  • Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle

    You can also learn more about gasoline prices, including how the prices are determined and why they fluctuate, at: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/cars/primer-gas/primergas.htm.


    Image of an Uncle Sam hat, computer and phone linking to info.gov
    GET ON-THE-SPOT ANSWERS FROM UNCLE SAM

    How can I stop telemarketers from calling me? How do I get a passport? Who do I talk to about getting a Federal job in my area? How do I get a copyright for a game I've invented? These are questions our National Contact Center answers every day. We've brought together information from hundreds of Federal offices so you get the help you need right away.

    Check out our new online knowledgebase at www.info.gov . You can search 39 topic areas, 3,100 sub-topics and 50,000 points of contact to find answers to all of your “How Do I…?” questions. The database is a work in progress and we welcome your comments and suggestions for improving it.

    If you can't find the answer to your question, give us a call at 1 (800) FED-INFO for immediate assistance, or e-mail us your question. Our Citizen Response Team will respond within two business days. Remember -- no government question is too big or small.

    A SPECIAL FREE OFFER JUST FOR FEDINFO E-LETTER SUBSCRIBERS!Link to order form for special free offer

    FCIC is the help desk for everyday life--and we'd like to help you! Here's your chance to get a FREE package of great information about saving and investing for the future. The package includes publications on financial planning, managing your money, learning about investments, and understanding Social Security.

    To get your FREE package and a FREE Consumer Information Catalog listing more than 200 valuable consumer publications, just fill in your name and address on our special order form.


    We hope that you have found this e-letter valuable. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please contact us at: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/emailus.htm.

    Click here for previous issues of the FEDINFO E-newsletter.

    This e-mail was sent to you because you signed up to receive updates, notifications of new information, and special offers from the Federal Citizen Information Center. You may leave the list at any time by visiting http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/maillist.htm or by sending an e-mail to listserv@LISTSERV.GSA.GOV. Type "SIGNOFF FEDINFO" in the body of the message. You do not need to include anything else in the body of the message or in the subject line.

    Issue 2004-4

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