OLYMPIA, Wash., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ Using the Washington Information Network (WIN) just got easier for state citizens, who can now find an electronic voters guide on November statewide ballot issues as well as several other new services.

The Washington State Department of Information Services manages WIN, the state's kiosk system that offers information and services from state, local and federal agencies. Regular users will notice that WIN now uses a compass as a navigational tool to easily find WIN services. The compass includes a map, a search by service, a showcase of new and interesting services, and a "Guide to WIN" to help people learn how to use the system.

Besides the new look and the electronic voters guide, WIN now features new information about hearing loss, unemployment benefits, unclaimed property, higher education, and lower auto insurance costs. In "Your Hearing" people can read about hearing loss, tips on hearing- aid instruments and find out how to register a complaint with the Department of Health.

Those wanting to find out more on unemployment can check out the Washington Benefits Hotline, the telephone claim process and unemployment insurance. Users can print an unemployment insurance application form and locate the nearest job service center by entering their zip code. The updated job search application improves self-serve options for locating job openings.

WIN's unclaimed property collection feature now allows users to print out an actual claim form to fill out and mail directly to the Department of Revenue to collect their property. Users also can print out a request form to obtain other unclaimed information.

WIN users can search for community and technical colleges by region. And they can find a descriptive profile on specific schools along with job training. Profiles on all public and private statewide four- year colleges and universities are available while those wanting to know how to pay for higher education can access "Paying for College."

Those wanting to learn how to lower insurance costs can see for themselves how insurance premiums are calculated. They can participate in an interactive program that provides cost-comparisons from an expanded list of auto insurance companies in Washington State. And they can find out how to ask for an investigation by the Insurance Commissioner and print an actual complaint form to fill out and mail in.

For additional media information, WIN programs and their agency communication contacts: Electronic Voters Guide Office of the Secretary of State, David Brine, Communications Director 360-753- 2526; Hearing Loss Department of Health, Board of Hearing and Speech, Matt Ashworth, Public Information Officer 360-753-0757; Unemployment Insurance Employment Security Department, Michael Wilson, Communications Director 360-902-9317; Unclaimed Property Department of Revenue, Mike Gowrylow, Communications Manager 360-753- 7624; Community and Technical Colleges - State Board for Community and TTechnical College, Bruce Botka, College Relations Director 360- 753-3656; Higher Education Higher Education Coordinating Board, Linda Schactler, Deputy Director 360-753-7825; Auto Insurance Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Jim Stevenson, Public Information Officer 360-586-4422.

SOURCE Washington State Department of Information Services