Lower Costs for Kansans
I've heard from many Kansans who are struggling with higher prices on groceries, gas, health care, and more. That's why I've made lowering costs for Kansans a top priority.
For example, I heard from Julie, who lives in Overland Park. She has diabetes and depends on her insulin to stay healthy. But Julie was faced with having to pay thousands of dollars per year for her medicine. No one should be forced to choose between paying for their mortgage or a lifesaving prescription.
Because of Julie and many others like her, I helped pass a law to cap insulin prices at $35 a month for seniors. Now Julie doesn't have to worry about paying another $650 a month thanks to the new law, but there's more to do. That includes lowering more costs and building an economy that works for everyone.
That's why I stood up to Big Pharma by voting for a new law that finally lets Medicare negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. I'm also supporting a bipartisan bill to double childcare tax cuts for middle-class families. And I'm working with both parties to lower grocery prices by helping Kansas farmers grow and deliver food more cheaply, and by stopping corporate price gouging.
My focus is on concrete and bipartisan solutions to build an economy that works for everyone. As this work continues, please use this web page to find resources that can help lower your costs.
- Take My Survey
- Help with Groceries and Gas
- Help with Bills, Finances, and Utilities
- Help with Taxes
- Help with Health Care
- Help for Seniors
- Help for Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs
Help with Groceries and Gas
Help with Groceries
On the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, I'm working to pass a long-term, bipartisan Farm Bill. This legislation helps agricultural producers grow their crops more efficiently, deliver their goods less expensively, and protect against costly disasters - and ultimately can help lower prices for families at the grocery store. I'm also pushing for more fair competition to give families more choices to shop for the best bargains and to stop big corporations from taking advantage of folks.
Here are some resources that may help you as I keep pushing for progress:
Save on groceries:
- Groceries on a budget: Find a variety of tools and resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that may help you save on your groceries.
- Shop Simple with MyPlate App: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's smartphone app may also be able to help you find healthy food savings in your area and prepare budget-friendly meals.
Additional help:
- Food Assistance: Hardworking Kansans may qualify for resources to help put food on the table. This link can connect you with a directory of initiatives that may help you find what best fits your situation.
- Extra Help for Fresh Food: If you qualify for SNAP, you can double the value of this assistance by shopping at certain farmers' markets and grocery stores in the Kansas City area.
- Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions for Seniors (or CHAMPSS): In Johnson County, folks who are over 60 and their spouses may qualify for meals through CHAMPSS at local Hy-Vee grocery stores.
- Johnson County Food Pantry: This may be an opportunity for families who are in need to get assistance or for people to give back to their communities.
Help with Gas
Families need relief at the gas pump. I'm pushing for an all of the above approach to get prices down. That's why I helped pass a law that invests in American energy and clean energy production to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and to lower gas prices and utility bills. I've also voted to crack down on price gouging by big oil and gas companies.
Here are some resources that can help you in the meantime:
- Find Cheaper Local Gas Stations: Fueleconomy.gov links to a variety of resources that may help.
- Improve Gas Mileage: There are common sense steps drivers can take to improve their mileage.
- Improve Gas Mileage in Cold Weather: When the weather gets colder it can affect your gas mileage. Find common sense tips on how you can save.
- Improve Gas Mileage in Warmer Weather: Warmer weather can actually improve your mileage, but it can depend on a variety of factors such as your air conditioning. This page has more information that can help you understand your options.
- More Affordable Vehicles: I voted for a new law that's providing tax cuts for people who are looking to buy new and used electric vehicles.
More Transportation Help:
- RideKC: Explore helpful, low-cost transit alternatives.
- KC Bikeshare: You can also explore RideKC's bikeshare options, which include both electric-assist bikes and traditional cycling.
- MicroTransit: Low-cost service that can pick you up and drop you off.
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Help with Bills, Finances, and Utilities
Help with Mortgages and Rent
It's frustrating to see the cost of already expensive mortgages keep rising. I've supported bipartisan legislation to make housing more affordable. That includes stronger tax incentives to boost the supply of housing, so we can meet demand and get costs down. I've also supported bipartisan legislation to help local governments develop sustainable housing plans.
Here are some resources that can help you in the meantime:
Help for Homeowners:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Mortgage Resources: Help for people who are having issues with their mortgages or are looking to buy a home.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Approved Housing Counselors: HUD approved housing counselors can help folks understand their options and answer questions. Counselors are often available at little or no cost.
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation: This non-profit public corporation serves as the administrator of federal housing programs in Kansas. This link provides an overview of available resources for homeowners. You can also see their guidebook of resources by clicking here.
- HUD Homeowner Help: Learn about a variety of other resources that may help you, including help on how to buy a home or afford home improvements.
- HUD Homeowner's Guide to Success (PDF): HUD also has a comprehensive guide to help homeowners pay their mortgages and stay in their homes.
- Foreclosure Protections: Find additional resources to avoid foreclosure from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Pay Less for Flood Insurance: Many homeowners throughout our region pay for flood insurance to protect their properties. Find information about how to pay less for your insurance.
- Help with Reverse Mortgages: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has resources to help homeowners understand home equity and how it can be used to take out loans. It also has tips for navigating reverse mortgages while avoiding scams and high-risk plans.
Help for Renters:
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation: This non-profit public corporation serves as the administrator of federal housing programs in Kansas. This link provides an overview of available resources for renters. You can also see their guidebook of resources by clicking here.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Approved Housing Counselors: HUD approved housing counselors may also be able to help renters and answer questions. Counselors are often available at little or no cost.
- HUD Rental Resources: HUD also has more information on resources that may assist you.
Help with Energy Bills
I voted for a law that's lowering utility bills in Kansas by helping folks make their homes cleaner and more efficient. Many Kansans in the Third District qualify for upfront discounts or tax breaks that could save an average of $500 per year on home energy bills.
Here are some resources that can help you:
- Home Energy Audit: Sometimes commonsense improvements, like locating and sealing air leaks, can yield savings on your energy bill. A home energy audit can help you find inefficiencies and ways to save, many of which you may be able to do on your own. The Department of Energy has more information to help you get started.
- Efficiency Upgrades: I voted for a new law that's helping folks save on their utility bills. Kansans may qualify for an average of $5,000 to $12,000 in upfront discounts or tax breaks to help upgrade home energy systems. That includes installing energy-efficient appliances and upgrading insulation, which will lead to lower monthly utility bills. This link is a one-stop shop to learn about all the different savings available to you.
- Lowering Energy Bills: Learn more about how the new law I helped pass can help you pay for more efficient appliances, lower your energy bills, and more.
- Weatherization Upgrades: Assistance from the state of Kansas can help lower your costs through home upgrades. Check here to see if you qualify.
- If you need immediate assistance paying your home energy bills, check out these resources:
- LIEAP: Some families and seniors may qualify for help lowering costs on staying warm, utilities, and energy repairs. I voted to increase Kansas resources for this program, especially during the pandemic.
- Additional Utility Assistance: The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) regulates many utilities and may be able to connect people with other resources, including weatherization help.
- LIEAP: Some families and seniors may qualify for help lowering costs on staying warm, utilities, and energy repairs. I voted to increase Kansas resources for this program, especially during the pandemic.
- Cold Weather Rule: KCC's cold weather rule may protect you from having utilities shut off in cold months.
- Rebates for City of Shawnee Residents: The City of Shawnee offers rebates on electricity bills and other utilities for some low-income residents and seniors.
Help with Credit Card Bills:
I know many folks often rely on credit cards, which unfortunately can have challenging interest rates and other charges. Thankfully, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has several resources that may be able to help you.
- General Credit Card Help: This is a good place to start for people who may have general questions or need assistance.
- Stop Mystery Fees (PDF): Sometimes credit cards can come with unexpected fees. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has more on how to stop mystery fees.
- Fix Mistakes on Your Bill (PDF): Mistakes on your bill can occur. Five steps are shared here that can help you address them.
- What To Do If You Can't Pay Your Credit Cards on Time (PDF): If you're in a tough spot, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has more on what you can do if you can't pay your bill on time.
- Learn about credit reports and scores: Both can have a big impact on your credit rating. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has more information on both and how to improve your credit.
- Free Credit Reports: Credit reports can help you identify and fix possible issues in order to protect your credit rating. The safest way to request a free credit report is at www.annualcreditreport.com, an official website authorized by federal law.
Help for Students
I understand that higher education can be expensive and I'm continuing to pay off my own student loans. Here are some resources that can help:
- Find Aid at Studentaid.gov: Find student aid options, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- Consolidate Loans: Consolidating student loans is an option that some may explore to lower their payments.
- Pell Grants: Pell Grants may also be an option for some qualifying students, and unlike loans, do not have to be repaid.
- More Resources: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may be able to connect you with additional help, too.
Other Help with Bills and Finances
- Claim Lost Funds: Find old payroll checks that haven't been cashed, bank savings that may have gotten lost, unclaimed insurance proceeds, and more for free. Over time people can lose track of some funds - and people often have more unclaimed property than you think!
- Lifeline Support for Affordable Communication: Learn more about how you may be able to qualify for discounts on telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers.
- Consumer.gov: Find tools that can help you protect your identity, manage money wisely, and more.
- When You Can't Pay Your Bills: Resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on how to dispute billing errors, manage debt, and look out for unfair practices.
- Kansas Successful Families: Qualifying families with modest incomes may be able to get help with paying for critical needs such as housing, utilities, and diapers. Child care help may be available, too.
- Explore More Help: Search for more assistance including for telephone bills, utilities, and more.
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Help with Taxes
I know tax season is often a stressful time for many folks. That's why I've voted to cut taxes for folks in the middle- and working-class. I also helped pass a new a law that's making significant service improvements at the IRS so people can get their refunds and assistance more quickly.
- Help for Taxpayers: First, please know that my office is here to serve you however we can. That includes helping with any stalled tax refunds you may have with the IRS. In fact, we've now helped recover nearly $13 million from the IRS for local Kansas taxpayers. Visit our Help for Taxpayers page to learn more and see how we may be able to help you too.
- Contact Your Local IRS Office: If you need additional help and need to speak to someone for specific questions.
- Taxpayer Advocate Service: This is an independent service within the IRS that helps ensure taxpayers are treated fairly.
- Find Free Tax Prep Help: The IRS may be able to connect you with in-person services that can help you file your taxes for free.
- Kansas Property Valuations: You can pay more in property taxes than you need to if an appraisal of your property is too high. Make sure you have an accurate record of the fair market value of your property in any given tax year.
- Find the Status of Your Refund: Refunds are a crucial source of relief for many every year. Find out the status of yours.
- Open An Online Account: My office strongly encourages you to open an online account and file electronically to avoid delays.
- IRS Free File: You may be able to get tax preparation assistance for free or at low cost. See if you qualify.
- Get a Past Refund: You may have up to three years to claim a past refund. Don't miss out!
- Help for People with Disabilities - ABLE Savings Plans: This initiative may help Kansans with disabilities save for their future.
- Homestead Refund: A rebate for local property taxes paid by homeowners (non-federal).
- Watch our Facebook Live on Tax Resources. Get answers to questions and learn more about the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, which can help some folks with their taxes.
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Help with Health Care
Everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care, but far too many Kansans can't get the care they need or are faced with skyrocketing costs. That's why I'm making it a priority to lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, fix and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand Medicaid, and improve quality of care.
Here are some resources that may help you in the meantime as I keep pushing for progress:
Help with Surprise Medical Bills:
I helped pass a new bipartisan law to ban surprise medical billing, which is now in effect. I'm pleased to share the law has already blocked more than 9 million surprise bills. Here's how you can learn more, and tools you can use to protect yourself.
- Get Help with Surprise Bills: You can also get help with your medical billing situation or file a complaint by calling the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.
- More about the No Surprises Act: Learn more about the law, payment dispute procedures, and more.
Find Affordable Health Coverage:
I voted for a law that cuts taxes for people who buy their own health insurance, saving Kansas families an average of $780 a year on health care costs. You can benefit from these savings and other resources by using some of the options below:
- Shop for Affordable Health Insurance Plans: We're no longer in the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplace at healthcare.gov. However, people with life-changing events such as getting married, having a baby, or other circumstances may still be able to shop for new insurance coverage that works for them.
- Find Local Help: You may also be able to get in-person assistance to find affordable health insurance. You can also access help over the phone or via email.
- KanCare: Our state's version of Medicaid, which helps ensure people with modest incomes or other eligibility criteria can have coverage for little or no cost. In the House of Representatives, I'm pushing to help expand Medicaid so another 165,000 Kansans can access more affordable health care.
- Children's Health Insurance Program: Affordable and quality health coverage for children or teens.
- Community Health Centers: People can access several different local health centers for the care they need, including those who are uninsured or underinsured.
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Help for Seniors
After working hard and contributing to their communities their whole lives, seniors deserve a dignified retirement with quality health care. Unfortunately, many older folks like my mom are living on fixed incomes and are having a hard time with inflation. That's why I voted for a law that finally stands up to Big Pharma and lets Medicare negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. The law also caps the cost of insulin for seniors on Medicare at $35 a month.
As I keep pushing for solutions, here are some resources that can help you:
Help with Medicare and Health Care:
- Lower Insulin Costs: I helped pass the new law that's capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare, which is now in effect. I'm pleased to see major insulin producers are following suit by expanding this protection to more people on private insurance, thanks to the pressure this law helped bring.
- Saving money with the prescription drug law: Learn more about the insulin cap and other ways you can save.
- Future Medicare Improvements: The new law is phasing in additional improvements to Medicare, including a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs and letting Medicare negotiate for lower prices. Learn more about these improvements and how you can get help.
- Saving money with the prescription drug law: Learn more about the insulin cap and other ways you can save.
- Lower Prescription Drug Costs: See how you can get more help now with other prescription drug costs on Medicare.
- Medicare Savings Programs: This may help you pay for premiums and other expenses.
- Medicare Extra Help: This program can help you reduce your prescription drug costs if you qualify.
- Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK): Confidential and free counseling so older Kansans can discuss their Medicare and health insurance options. You may visit the website or call 800-860-5260.
- Contact My Office: In addition, our team is here to help you if you're having issues with Medicare.
Help with Social Security:
- SSA.gov: Apply for retirement, disability, check status of an application or appeal, and more.
- mySocial Security Account: Manage your Social Security savings online.
- Estimate Future Benefits: Help estimate future Social Security savings more accurately.
- Contact My Office: Our team is here to help you if you're having issues with Social Security.
More Help for Seniors:
- Verify Investment Advisors: This Securities and Exchange Commission website can help you verify information on different investment advisors to help seniors and consumers protect their retirement savings.
- Home-Delivered Meals in Johnson County, Kansas: Learn more about how seniors can have meals delivered right to their homes.
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Shawnee, Kansas: Eligible residents may qualify for help to stay and maintain their homes.
- Employment Services for Seniors: Seniors who'd like to keep working may be able to find help through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
- Wyandotte County Senior Tax Rebates: Seniors in Wyandotte County may qualify for tax and utility rebates.
- Property Tax Relief for Qualifying Seniors: Some Kansas seniors may also qualify for tax relief through the state of Kansas.
- Help with Reverse Mortgages: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has resources to help homeowners understand home equity and how it can be used to take out loans. It also has tips for navigating reverse mortgages while avoiding scams and high-risk plans.
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Help for Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs
I understand it's tough for many people right now. Thankfully, we're also seeing some bright spots. Panasonic's new electric battery plant in De Soto will mean thousands of new jobs for our region. I was glad to work with local officials in both parties to help bring this economic development to our region.
If you're looking for a new job or a higher-paying job, here are some resources that may be able to help:
Find a Job:
- Kansas Job Hiring Portal: Created by the Kansas Department of Commerce. More than 34,000 job openings are currently available in our state.
- Career One Stop: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this website connects people with employment, job training, resume help, and a variety of other resources.
- USAjobs.gov: Apply for employment with the federal government. Good-paying jobs are available in fields as wide-ranging as computer engineering, biology, acquisitions and contracting, and much more.
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Jobs: The bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass is also creating thousands of jobs across the country, including many that don't require a college degree. Learn more about it and see how you can apply.
Help for Small Businesses
Entrepreneurship is baked into the DNA of our region and can be an important source of jobs and economic growth.
Here are some resources that can help local businesses in our area.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): This agency is here to help small businesses succeed. Find resources, affordable capital, and more.
- Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Johnson County Community College: Supported by the Small Business Administration, the SBDC is here to help local small businesses. That includes business plan advice, navigating programs, and more.
- Help for Women and Minority Owned Businesses: We need to build an economy that works for everyone. Here are some additional resources:
- The Kansas Women's Business Center: Supported by the SBA, this center helps hundreds of clients every year start new businesses, create business plans, gain skills, and obtain funding. We must build on this local success story. That's why I've introduced the bipartisan Women's Business Centers Improvement Act. This bill would increase support for this initiative and reauthorize it for another four years.
- Kansas Dept. of Commerce: Office of Minority and Women Business Development: This state agency also offers additional resources for local entrepreneurs in the Kansas Third District.
- The Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency: The U.S. Department of Commerce also has resources to help minority-owned businesses secure access to capital and compete for government contracts.
- The Kansas Women's Business Center: Supported by the SBA, this center helps hundreds of clients every year start new businesses, create business plans, gain skills, and obtain funding. We must build on this local success story. That's why I've introduced the bipartisan Women's Business Centers Improvement Act. This bill would increase support for this initiative and reauthorize it for another four years.
- Small Business Export Tools: We're in a global economy and different markets around the world may be an important business opportunity. Here are some resources that may help you:
- Export-Import Bank: This independent agency is here to help facilitate international transactions when private sector lenders are unable to do so.
- Export Assistance: The Department of Commerce offers a number of tools to help businesses export their products around the globe.
- Export-Import Bank: This independent agency is here to help facilitate international transactions when private sector lenders are unable to do so.
- More Resources and Help from My Office: Find additional resources on my office's Help for Small Business page. We may also be able to help local businesses navigate challenges they may be having with the federal government.
Job Help for Veterans
My mother served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. I learned so much about service, sacrifice, and dedication to country through her. After all our Servicemembers and Veterans have done for us, we must have their backs.
Here are some resources that can help local veterans find jobs:
- Fedshirevets.gov: This website helps connect veterans with job opportunities throughout the federal government.
- Veterans and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture: Former servicemembers may find that their skills offer them a future in agriculture, our state's largest economic sector.
- Boots to Business: Veterans may be able to get assistance with starting a small business through this initiative.
- Veterans' Employment and Training Service: A U.S. Department of Labor initiative that's focused on connecting veterans, service members, and military spouses with meaningful careers.
- Kanvet.org: A website from the state of Kansas to help make it easier for veterans to access resources, including for employment.
- Help for Veterans: My office's web page also contains additional resources for Kansas veterans. We may also be able to help veterans cut through red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies.
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