Look To Your Library 

KCLS has materials and resources for people who need to cut costs, save money and create budgets to make ends meet. 

The links below will connect you to some of the items available in the library catalog.

Creating a budget

Save money on energy costs at home

Money saving meals

Be a smart consumer

Eastside Cultural Navigator Program offers services to individuals and families who have limited English language skills.  Services include help with employment, applying for food stamps, housing, starting a business and accessing medical, legal, and financial services. Call 425-452-2800.

 

Are you feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn?

Get connected to local organizations that offer help in times like these, with services such as credit counseling to mortgage or rent relief.

Crisis Clinic

Crisis Clinic: for any type of assistance or crisis, dial 2-1-1 for help.

General help

Hopelink: Food, housing, financial help and more. Call 425.869.6000.

Wellspring Family Services: Helps families remain self-sufficient. Call 206.826.3050 .

Family Resource Center: The Eastside's innovative nonprofit agency that provides wide-ranging and complementary services to meet the multiple needs of clients. FRC is home to 18 individual health and human service organizations.  Call 425.869.6699.

ParentHelp123.org helps families to apply for state-sponsored health and food programs, and to find services in their community. 1.800.322.2588.

King County MultiService Center: Non-profit community action agency providing housing and emergency support services to people living in poverty, throughout South King County. Call 253.854.4406.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has a new public website making it easier to apply for benefits such as cash, medical, food, child care, etc.  Apply for benefits here or call 1.800.737.0617 for more information. Find a Community Service Office near you.

Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS): This is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization offering a broad array of human services and behavioral health programs to Asian Pacific Americans in King County. Call 206.695.7600.

Chinese Information and Service Center: Helps Chinese and other Asian immigrants throughout King County achieve success in their new community by providing information, referral, advocacy, social, and support services. Call 206.624.5633.

Washington Women in Need: Specializes in Counseling and education. Call 425.451.8838.

Jewish Family Services: Funds may be available to help pay for various emergencies such as transportation, medical needs, past due utility bills, or school clothing. Screening is required. Call: 206.461.3240.

Senior Services: Help with food, housing, care giving, counseling, finances and more. Call  1.888.435.3377. 

CASA Latina: Empowering Latino immigrants through educational and employment opportunities. Call 206.229.2272.

El Centro De La Raza: Focusing on the needs of the Chicano/Latino community in the Seattle/King County area. Call 206.329.9442.

Northwest Harvest: Provides meal programs and food banks across Washington state. 1.800.722.6924

Finances

Money Management Resources for the Unemployed: Washington resources for debt, credit, avoiding fraud, paying your mortgage, avoiding foreclosure, cutting expenses and much more.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services: Call 206.382.8087.

Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS): Call 206.267.7017.

American Consumer Credit Counseling: Call 1.800.769.3571.

IRS.gov: Offers information on tax-related provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Are you investigating bankruptcy?  The U.S. Bankruptcy Court can help answer your questions with their online Self Help Filing Information. 

 

Health

Sound Mental Health  Call 206.302.2200.

Washington Basic Health: Call 1.800.660.9840.

Washington Basic Food: Call 1.877.514.FOOD.

Statewide Health Insurance SHIBA: 1.800.562.6900.

Community Health Centers of King County:

 

• Auburn – 253.735.0166
• Bothell-Kenmore – 425.486.0658
• Eastside – 425.882.1697
• Federal Way – 253.874.7634
• Kent – 253.852.2866
• Renton – 425.226.5536
• SeaTac – 206.277.7200

Housing

MakingHomeAffordable.gov: 1.888.995.HOPE. Use the self-assessment tools provided on this website to see if you are among the 7 to 9 million homeowners who may be able to benefit from Making Home Affordable.

Solid Ground: Housing counseling. Call 206.694.6776 or 1.866.297.4300.

AptFinder.org: Affordable housing resources in Washington state.

U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Washington specific information for all types of housing.

Washington Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Washington's Homeownership Information Hotline: Free state sponsored counseling is available to Washington residents who are facing foreclosure, thinking of buying a home, or considering refinancing. Call 1.877.894.HOME. 

Washington Homeownership Center is an unbiased, community-sponsored, non-profit agency that knows the programs, products and people throughout Washington State that can help make your dream of homeownership a reality.  Call 866.600.6466.

 

Legal

Staff at the King County Law Library can guide you to legal resources. 206.296-0940.

King County Bar Association: Free/Low cost legal help. Call 206.267.7070. 

Northwest Justice Project: Help for legal assistance or legal information with a civil (non-criminal) legal problem. Call 1.888.201.1014. 

WA Law Help: Free self-help information and legal aid guides in a variety of languages.

 

Library databases can help you learn how to save money. Access KCLS databases for free at home with your library card or in the library.

 

Books 24x7: Find wellness books with tips on taking care of yourself.

 

ChiltonLibrary: Do-it-yourself auto repair.

 

Consumer Reports via General OneFile: Dependable product reviews.

 

Press Display: Free access to newspapers from around the world.

Health and Wellness Resource Center: Learn about health and nutrition.

 

Consumers Checkbook: find local business ratings that can save you time and money. Available only at KCLS libraries.