(MONEY Magazine) – When we tested the 10 toll-free federal consumer phone lines, we found some far more helpful than others. For example, the tax man was home, but the teacher's aide was out to lunch. The IRS number for ordering free tax forms and publications gets our top, four-phone rating, though admittedly we called after the busy tax season was over. The U.S. Education Department's student aid hotline (one phone) was the pits. We're still waiting to get the booklets a phone rep promised seven weeks ago. Hours noted are local times, weekdays, except where noted as eastern standard time.

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