Resources

COURT RESOURCES:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York - This is the website of the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam and Sullivan Counties, and also Manhattan and the Bronx. Here you will find the Court's Rules, schedules, forms, and useful information for debtors and their attorneys. Many famous people and businesses have been before this Court, including Bernard Madoff, Chrysler, GM, Enron, Worldcom and Fortunoff. www.nysb.uscourts.gov
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of New York - This Court serves Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Staten Island. www.nyeb.uscourts.gov

COUNTY RECORD RESOURCES:

Rockland County Clerk - If you live in Rockland County you are really fortunate, because you can visit the County Clerk's website free of charge. If you are being sued, you will find the record there. If someone has a judgment against you, it will be listed there. You can look at the deed to your house, your mortgage, and the dockets of any cases in Rockland Supreme and County Courts. You can even look at other people's records. From the Home page, click to "advanced" search and type a name in the indicated fields. www.rocklandcountyclerk.com
Westchester County Clerk - You can find all of your records here if you live in Westchester, but you have to pay a fee. You might as well go there yourself. It is in White Plains, across from the Courthouse. www.westchesterclerk.com
Orange County Clerk - There is a link here to the Orange County Clerk's Office here. It does not offer viewable records yet. www.orangecountygov.com

HOUSING RESOURCES:

Rockland Housing Action Coalition - If you are in any kind of housing crisis in Rockland, whether mortgage foreclosure, tenant eviction or homelessness, of if you need help with a mortgage modification or home financing, this office is a valuable source of information and assistance. They can offer direct assistance, and refer you to other community resources. www.rhachomes.org
Westchester Housing Action Coalition - This non-profit agency can help you with your housing problems in Westchester. www.housingactioncouncil.org
National Low Income Housing Coalition - This a nationwide housing resource. You will find links to your neighborhood there. www.nlihc.org

TAX OFFICES:

Internal Revenue Service - Here is where you can obtain copies of your tax returns - you usually need your two most recent ones, state and federal - when filing bankruptcy. You can also get forms and instructions, apply for a tax ID number, and e-file. www.irs.gov
NYS Tax & Finance - Get your New York State tax information here. www.tax.state.ny.us
NYC Dept. of Finance - If you live in one of the five boroughs, or are a commuter, you may need to look here. www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/home/home.shtml

EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES:

NYS Dept. of Labor - If you are between jobs, need unemployment benefits, or just want to know your rights as an employee, look here. www.labor.state.ny.us
NYS Workers Compensation Board - If you have suffered a work-related injury you are probably entitled to workers compensation benefits. These include payment of lost wages, doctors' bills for treatment and rehabilitation, and sometimes a lump sum cash settlement on account of permanent injuries. You can get these benefits and sometimes sue the party who caused your injury. For example, if you are a cab driver, you could be compensated by your employer's WC insurance carrier, and sue Ford. If you are an employer, even self-employed, you have rights and obligations under the Workers Compensation Law. www.wcb.state.ny.us

SOCIAL SECURITY AND ASSISTANCE:

U.S. SSA - The source of benefits for your retirement, disability and Medicare, with links to other resources. www.ssa.gov
NYS DSS - This will link you to your county's resource for many programs, for people of all ages and incomes, administered by or through this state agency. It has services for children, seniors, the sick and disabled, and the unemployed.
www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/ldss.htm
USCIS Home Page - As a permanent resident, applicant for a "green card" or "work permit", and even as an "illegal" or "undocumented" alien, you have rights under U. S. immigration laws, and this is where you get information, forms and answers you may need. www.uscis.gov

PRE & POST BANKRUPTCY COUNSELING:

Credit Advisors - As a permanent resident, applicant for a "green card" or "work permit", and even as an "illegal" or "undocumented" alien, you have rights under U. S. immigration laws, and this is where you get information, forms and answers you may need. www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
Springboard - Under the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005 you are required to take a credit counseling course and get a certificate, which must be filed with your petition. No matter what provider you use, the course is about the same and the fee is about fifty dollars. The course may be completed by telephone, or on your computer. It takes a couple of hours. These two firms are representative of the many counseling providers. If you type "bankruptcy credit counseling" into your search box, you will find dozens to choose from. You will also have to take another course, and get another certificate after you file. This costs about $50 also. www.yourbankruptcypartner.com