You can now find this kind of information on the new USA.gov website.
If you’d like to still get periodic updates from us on timely and important topics, you can sign up for one of our many email lists. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
If you need to appeal a Social Security disability decision, you can now:
If you wish to submit an appeal online, be sure to provide the necessary documents to support your appeal online. Learn more about the appeals process.
Join us for a little 4th of July patriotic fun! Sign up for our Thunderclap to wish the United States a very happy birthday!
Consumer Protection Bureau Advises Caution with These Loans
The reverse mortgage ads you may have read or seen on TV sound like great solutions to older homeowners’ financial strain, but can you trust them?
Not entirely, warns the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Many of these ads lead seniors to believe reverse mortgages are risk-free. If you’re thinking of getting a reverse mortgage, learn what the ads don’t tell you and what the risks are first.
If you or a loved one already has a reverse mortgage, take these three steps to protect yourself and make a plan for the future.
A First Lady Flag
After noticing the national flags flying on diplomats’ cars as they arrived at the White House as well as the American and Presidential flags displayed on the President’s car, Betty Ford had a question: “If the President gets flags, why shouldn’t the First Lady?”
In answer Dick Hartwig, then the head of Mrs. Ford’s Secret Service detail, and Rick Sardo, the White House Marine Corps aide, presented her with this specially designed flag on June 24, 1975. Sarah Brinkerhoff, a friend of Hartwig, handmade the pennant for the First Lady’s limousine.
Made of blue satin and trimmed in white lace with blue and red stars, the flag features a pair of red and white bloomers in the center as a play on Mrs. Ford’s maiden name, Bloomer. White text above the bloomers reads, “Don’t Tread on Me.” The letters “E.R.A.” below stand for the Equal Rights Amendment, an indication of Mrs. Ford’s strong support for the proposed amendment that would have given women equality under law through the United States Constitution.
Although it had been designed for her car Mrs. Ford kept the flag on display on her desk in the East Wing.
Images: Betty Ford’s “Bloomer” flag; Betty Ford proudly displays her flag with Dick Hartwig, Rick Sardo, White House photographer David Hume Kennerly, and East Wing staff members Kaye Pullen and Carolyn Porembka on June 24, 1975 (White House photograph A5197-15A).
We have launched beta.USA.gov and would like your feedback!
What is a beta site?
A beta site is a test site. In other words, it’s a way to share a work in progress and get the feedback we need to build a more useful website.
During this phase, we’ll be using your feedback to make sure we’re providing information that’s helpful and presenting it in a way that’s easy to find and read. Because the site is in beta, you may find that some features aren’t yet available. We’re working hard to put the finishing touches on the site, so please be sure to share your comments.
Why are we building a new site?
We want you to:
Please visit beta.USA.gov today, take a look at the site, and take our survey!
NHTSA’s Database Now Lists All Affected Vehicles
If your vehicle is manufactured by BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, or Toyota, you may be affected by a recall on airbags. The recall affects nearly 34 million vehicles in the U.S.
If your vehicle is manufactured by the brands listed above use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) VIN search tool or a specific vehicle-maker’s site to confirm if you are affected by the recall. If your vehicle is listed, contact the manufacturer to find out when you can get your vehicle fixed and at no cost to you.
You can also continue to check for updates on this recall or subscribe to NHTSA’s Recall Notification E-mail System.
Phony Waiting Lists Take Fees; The Real Ones Never Do
If you know someone who needs public housing assistance, make sure he or she knows about the Section 8 housing scams that prey on home-seekers. The scams use websites that look like registration sites for Section 8 waiting list lotteries. They take people’s “registration fee” money, their personal information, and their chance to register for the real lottery—since these hopefuls usually don’t know they’ve been scammed until the real waiting list is closed.
There is never a fee to register for a real Section 8 waiting list. To sign up for one, contact your local public housing authority.
And for more information on finding an affordable home, visit our new USA.gov “beta” site—a work in progress!
If you’ve ever looked for a babysitter or worked as one, you’re probably familiar with the dozens of ways you can connect online. From message boards to sites dedicated to connecting families with childcare providers, the options are endless. However these popular sites can be used to take advantage of caregivers. Be on the lookout for scams and frauds on these sites.
How will I know?
Now a days most caregivers are initially contacted by potential matches online. Most people using these sites are truly looking for nannies or babysitters, but some prey on innocent caregivers.
This is how a common nanny or caregiver scam happens: A person approaches you looking for a caregiver saying they do not live in the area yet, but will be moving soon. With a very convincing story, they will ask you to purchase supplies or medical equipment needed for their loved one. They will give you a check to cover the costs, but ask you to make the purchase through a third party right away.
However, after making the payment, the check and the third party turn out to be fake and the transaction takes place too fast for banks to realize what’s going on. So you’re out the money before the bank realizes the check is a phony.
What to do?
Protect yourself. Don’t get involved in an unknown transaction and don’t send money to someone you’ve never met. Services like Western Union and MoneyGram are legitimate, but can be used illegitimately in scams like this.
If you know someone tricked by this scam report it to the company:
Also, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and the website where the contact occurred.
July 4 celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence—and for many people, the celebration includes fireworks. Americans have been setting off fireworks to celebrate their independence since as early as 1777.
Yet, the thrill of colors exploding in the sky comes with dangers as well. On average, 240 people go to the emergency room each day with fireworks-related injuries in the month leading up to Independence Day. F
ollow these tips when using fireworks to ensure you and your family have a fun and safe holiday.
1. Make sure fireworks are legal in your locality and state before buying or using them. Even if your state allows fireworks, that doesn’t mean that your county, town, or city permit their use.
2. Never let young children play with or set off fireworks.
3. Don’t carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
4. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
5. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.
6. Never re-light or immediately pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Safe Disposal of Unused, Misfired, or “Dud” Fireworks
7. Once they have completely burned, fully submerge fireworks in a large bucket of water and soak until thoroughly saturated. This may take 15 minutes for small fireworks or several hours for larger ones.
8. Double wrap the completely soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or two plastic bags so they do not dry out.
9. Place the double-bagged fireworks in the household trash or bring them to your local solid waste facility.
10. Ask your local fire department or solid waste facility about other disposal options that may be available in your community.
Learn more about fireworks safety.
Spread the Word About Summer Meals
Don’t let kids go hungry this summer. Just because school is out doesn’t mean they can’t get the same free or reduced-cost meals they rely on during the school year. In fact, any kid or teen 18 and under can eat for free at designated summer meals sites across the country. But too many families don’t know about or don’t take advantage of the program.
Find summer meals in your community. And use these tools to let people know they’re available.
We’ll end our #FlagDay celebration with this picture of the Iwo Jima Memorial at dusk.
Thanks for following along today!
Photo from the Library of Congress.
Flags adorn the Capitol during President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. #FlagDay
Photo from the Architect of the Capitol.
This flag was recovered from the World Trade Center after the September 11 terrorist attacks. #FlagDay
Photo from the National Museum of American History.
This giant flag was displayed at the Capitol during the first Flag Day celebration in 1919. It measured 90’ x 165’ making it the largest flag in the world. #FlagDay
Photo from the Architect of the Capitol.
In 1914 the Star Spangled Banner was restored. This photo shows the flag laid across tables in the Smithsonian Institution Building before an Irish linen backing was attached. #FlagDay
Photo from the Smithsonian.
This is one of two flags that flew from Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train in New York. On April 19, 1865, an estimated 25 million Americans attended memorial services for Abraham Lincoln in Washington and around the country. #FlagDay
Photo from the National Museum of American History.
This color lithograph print from 1861 from the National Museum of American History reflects preparations for battle during the Civil War. #FlagDay
The original Star-Spangled Banner, which flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 and inspired the words of our National Anthem, hangs today at the National Museum of American History. #FlagDay
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. Few things have witnessed American history as up close as the Stars and Stripes.
From the birth of the nation, to our darkest and brightest moments, the flag has been there. On #FlagDay, we want to take a moment to look back at some of these events.
Learn about the history and design of our flag and check back throughout the day as we share iconic images of our flag throughout history: http://go.usa.gov/3PFwm
Photo from the U.S. Navy.
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. Since then, the Stars and Stripes has become our most famous symbol. Few things have witnessed American history as up-close as the flag. From the birth of the nation, to the darkest and brightest moments over time, the flag has been there. Learn more about its 238 years of history and this observance.
Whether you are displaying a flag at home, work or in a public setting, learn how to do it correctly using these guidelines (PDF).
Help Consumer Protection Agency Improve Servicing for Borrowers
Have you run into obstacles trying to pay back your student loans? It’s hard enough dealing with the debt, without the company managing your loans creating more obstacles for you. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to hear if you’ve experienced:
Submit your comments through July 13 to help the CFPB improve student loan servicing for borrowers. Your story will become part of a public record, so don’t send sensitive information such as your Social Security number or other information that identifies you. To participate in spreading the word on social media, visit this social media sharing site before June 10.
And to learn about options for paying back your student loans, check out the CFPB’s Repay Student Debt section.
News about data breaches at banks, stores, and agencies is an everyday occurrence now. But if your private information has been compromised, it doesn’t feel commonplace to you.
The sooner you find out, and begin damage control, the better off you’ll be. IdentityTheft.gov, a new website, offers step-by-step checklists of what to do right away, and what to do next, depending on the information that’s been stolen or exposed. It lists warning signs indicating your identity was stolen, and gives websites and phone numbers for organizations you’ll need to reach. And, it has sample letters for disputing fraudulent charges, correcting information in your credit reports, and getting business records relating to the theft.
Check out IdentityTheft.gov, bookmark it, and print out the checklists, as your first line of defense against identity theft.
Don’t Assume You’re Safe
With storms continuing to pound the East Coast and other parts of the country, the dangers of driving and walking through flood waters can’t be ignored. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, while 12 inches can carry away a small car. Follow the Turn Around, Don’t Drown rule of flood waters. It’s advice to live by.
And learn more about your risk of flooding, the most common natural disaster in the United States.
If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or tropical storms, emergency preparation is key. Even areas well away from the coastline can be threatened by flooding, high winds, and even tornadoes.
Be prepared for severe storms:
If you’re in Texas areas affected by flooding, here are some trusted resources on Twitter to stay up to date on emergency information and assistance.
On this day in 1944, Virginia’s 116th infantry led the assault on Omaha Beach as part of Operation Overlord, commonly known as D-Day. More than 5,300 ships and 11,000 planes landed on the beaches of Normandy as the United States entered the war. Take a minute today to remember and honor those who fought and lost their lives on that day.
Today in 1965, Major Edward White became the first American to perform a spacewalk: http://go.usa.gov/3XaXR
Today in 1886, President Cleveland wed Frances Clara at the White House. He was the first president to marry at the White House. Explore their ceremony: http://go.usa.gov/3Xakw
Summer is the perfect time to explore your National Parks. Find your closest park: http://ift.tt/1IPyIS7
Photo from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, one of our many public lands.
As the summer travel season heats up, you might be planning a trip with your family—including Fluffy. Over two million pets and other live animals are transported by air every year in the United States. If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll need to meet the animal health requirements of the country you’re visiting. Before getting on the plane, these tips will help make traveling with your pet safe and enjoyable.
