Tax-filing season is in full swing and a free website, developed with funding from the Legal Services Corporation, permits low-income workers to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The free electronic filing system, called I-CAN! E-File, was created by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County with funding provided by the Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) program at LSC. It launched in 2003.

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, has announced that the number of disability hearings pending stands at 697,437 cases -- the lowest level since June 2005 and down more than 71,000 cases since December 2008, when the trend of month-by-month reductions began.

In addition, the average processing time for hearing decisions has decreased to 442 days, down from a high of 514 days at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2008.

The Department of Defense has announced that its National Resource Directory (NRD) Web site for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and those who support them, recently received a comprehensive system upgrade to provide users with easier access.

This Web site is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs (VA) and Labor (DOL), and compiles federal, state, local and non-profit resources for wounded warriors, veterans, family members and caregivers in a single, searchable site.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have released January data for the Administration's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), demonstrating that the number of homeowners receiving immediate relief and converting to permanent modifications continues to rise.

More than 116,000 homeowners now have permanent modifications, nearly doubling the number from December, which also marked record progress. An additional 76,000 permanent modifications have been offered, and are waiting only for the borrower's signature. In total, Over 1 million homeowners have started trial modifications and nearly 1.3 million offers for trial modifications have been extended to homeowners.