EITC And WorkPays NY Outreach Campaign

EITC And WorkPays NY Outreach CampaignNew York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Bureau of Employment and Advancement ServicesPresenter:Paula GuzzeyApril 20111OTDAs MissionTo enhance the economic security of low-income working familiesTo assist work-capable public assistance recipients in achieving entry into the workforceTo assist individuals with priority needs other than work-readiness in accessing appropriate benefits and servicesTo enhance child well-being and reduce child poverty

2TopicsEarned Income Tax CreditOther Tax CreditsVolunteer Income Tax AssistanceWork SupportsMyBenefitsPartnerships

3Earned Income Tax CreditStatisticsNoncustodial EITCEITC Qualifying LimitsEITC Maximum CreditsMiscellaneous EITC FactsClaiming the EITC

4Statistics Tax Year 2009Nationwide EITC: 26 million households claimed $57,000,000,000 in Federal EITCNYS: 1.6 million households claimed $3.5B in Federal EITC and over $800M in NYS EITC

5Noncustodial Parent NYS EITC

6EITC Qualifying LimitsQualifying ChildrenIncomeNo Qualifying Children$13,660 ($18,740 MFJ)1 Qualifying Child$36,052 ($40,964 MFJ)2 Qualifying Children$40,964 ($46,044 MFJ)3 or more Qualifying Children$43,998 ($49,078 MFJ)7EITC Maximum Credits (w/NYS Credit)Qualifying ChildrenMaximum EITC AmountNo Qualifying Children$6031 Qualifying Child$4,0222 Qualifying Children$6,6453 or more Qualifying Children$7,4768EITC Maximum Credits, continuedIndividuals who earn $8 to $10 an hour

OR

Households whose income is between $13,000 and $20,000 per year

Are usually eligible for the maximum EITC

9Miscellaneous EITC FactsEITC will not impact TANF and FS benefitsGrandparents with earned income can claim EITC on behalf of their grandchildrenEITC may be claimed retroactively10Claiming the EITCTo claim the EITC, a tax return MUST BE FILED!!!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

11Volunteer Income Tax AssistanceProvide free income tax preparation and filing services by trained volunteersAvailable to households with income up to $49,000VITA sites are located in every county in NYCall the IRS at 1-800-906-9887 for a VITA site near you or the 2-1-1 Information Line

12VITA, continuedFree tax preparation saves each tax payer at least $150-No Refund Anticipation LoansOnly 2% of returns which claim EITC are filed at a VITA site

13Other Tax CreditsChild Tax CreditEmpire State Child CreditEducation CreditsFederal and State Dependent Care Credit14OTDAs EITC/Tax Preparation Project10th Year Anniversary22 LDSS VITA sites in TY 09Over 200 volunteers7,195 returnsUniversity partnerships

15WorkPays NY CampaignGoals of WorkPays NYWhat supports are available?Work Supports Marketing CampaignWorkPays NY MaterialsmyBenefitsHow you can help

16Goals of WorkPays NYTo share information on work support programs and other economic resources which can be leveraged to increase the income of working families struggling to make ends meetTo introduce the myBenefits website:www.myBenefits.ny.gov

17What Supports are Available?Food StampsHome Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)EITC (Federal and State)Other Tax CreditsHealth InsuranceChild Care SubsidyChild SupportOthers1819New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Earnings and Average Work Supports for Single-Adult Family of ThreeLiving outside NYC(One Child Under Four, One Child Over Four)www.myBenefits.ny.gov5/18/201119Not Everyone Who is Eligible is Accessing BenefitsA large number of eligible working New Yorkers do not claim EITCMany eligible working poor are not accessing Food StampsTrend continues with public health insurance programs

20Why dont people access?Complex program eligibility requirementsLack of information about available benefitsLimited access pointsStigmaOthers

21Work Supports Marketing CampaignOutreach to New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meetNetworking with community service providers and multi-level government agenciesConnecting with business community

22WorkPays NY MaterialsFREE Materials:myBenefits palm cardWorkPays NY Flyer (Eng/Sp)WorkPays NY Posters (Eng/Sp)WorkPays NY Resource Guide/ChecklistEmployer Resource GuideWorkPays NY video

Place orders online at:www.otda.ny.gov/main/publications

23myBenefits.ny.govInformation on major programsLinks to OTDAs Resources for Working Families and the Department of LaborMulti-program screening tool for potential eligibilityWill be expanded to allow users to apply for multiple programs

24Screening ComponentQuick, easy, confidentialUsers input minimal household informationResults show potential eligibility for multiple programs, where to apply, what to bring, and provides a printable FS app.25Programs Screened ForNutrition ProgramsHome Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)Tax CreditsHealth ProgramsTemporary Assistance26Apply for FS OnlineIn many counties in New York State, peoplecan now apply online for food stampsusing the food stamp electronicapplication!

27How You Can HelpPromote economic supports with people served by your organization and other partnersDispel myths and help reduce stigmaUtilize myBenefits and provide access to internet for screeningAdd link to your agencys websiteInclude information in your newslettersDisseminate WorkPays NY materials28Online ResourcesmyBenefits websitewww.mybenefits.ny.govResources for Working Familieswww.otda.ny.gov/main/workingfamiliesVITA sites statewidewww.otda.ny.gov/main/programs/tax-credits/vitaAccess NYCwww.nyc.gov/accessnycThe Center on Budget and Policy Prioritieswww.cbpp.org

29PartnershipsInternal Revenue Service

United Way and the CA$H Coalitions30New York State OTDA Stephanie BoshartDirector, Jobs ProgramStephanie.Boshart@otda.state.ny.us518-486-3151

Mark SchafferEITC/VITA Statewide CoordinatorMark.Schaffer@otda.state.ny.us518-474-934631Questions?

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