EITC And WorkPays NY Outreach Campaign

1. EITC And WorkPays NY Outreach Campaign New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Bureau of Employment and Advancement Services Presenter: Mark Schaffer April 2011

2. OTDA’s Mission To enhance the economic security of low-income working families To assist work-capable public assistance recipients in achieving entry into the workforce To assist individuals with priority needs other than work-readiness in accessing appropriate benefits and services To enhance child well-being and reduce child poverty

3. Topics Earned Income Tax Credit Other Tax Credits Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Work Supports MyBenefits Partnerships

4. Earned Income Tax Credit Statistics Noncustodial EITC EITC Qualifying Limits EITC Maximum Credits Miscellaneous EITC Facts Claiming the EITC

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

6. Noncustodial Parent NYS EITC

7. EITC Qualifying Limits

8. EITC Maximum Credits (w/NYS Credit)

9. EITC Maximum Credits, continued Individuals 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

10. Miscellaneous EITC Facts EITC will not impact TANF and FS benefits Grandparents with earned income can claim EITC on behalf of their grandchildren EITC may be claimed retroactively

11. Claiming the EITC To claim the EITC, a tax return MUST BE FILED!!! Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

12. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Provide free income tax preparation and filing services by trained volunteers Available to households with income up to $49,000 VITA sites are located in every county in NY Call the IRS at 1-800-906-9887 for a VITA site near you or the 2-1-1 Information Line

13. VITA, continued Free tax preparation saves each tax payer at least $150- No “Refund Anticipation Loans” Only 2% of returns which claim EITC are filed at a VITA site

14. Other Tax Credits Child Tax Credit Empire State Child Credit Education Credits Federal and State Dependent Care Credit

15. OTDA’s EITC/Tax Preparation Project 10th Year Anniversary 22 LDSS VITA sites in TY ‘09 Over 200 volunteers 7,195 returns University partnerships

16. WorkPays NY Campaign Goals of WorkPays NY What supports are available? Work Supports Marketing Campaign WorkPays NY Materials myBenefits How you can help

17. Goals of WorkPays NY To 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 meet To introduce the myBenefits website: www.myBenefits.ny.gov

18. What Supports are Available? Food Stamps Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) EITC (Federal and State) Other Tax Credits Health Insurance Child Care Subsidy Child Support Others

19. Earnings and Average Work Supports for Single-Adult Family of Three Living outside NYC (One Child Under Four, One Child Over Four) www.myBenefits.ny.gov

20. Not Everyone Who is Eligible is Accessing Benefits A large number of eligible working New Yorkers do not claim EITC Many eligible working poor are not accessing Food Stamps Trend continues with public health insurance programs

21. Why don’t people access? Complex program eligibility requirements Lack of information about available benefits Limited access points Stigma Others

22. Work Supports Marketing Campaign Outreach to New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet Networking with community service providers and multi-level government agencies Connecting with business community

23. WorkPays NY Materials FREE Materials: myBenefits palm card WorkPays NY Flyer (Eng/Sp) WorkPays NY Posters (Eng/Sp) WorkPays NY Resource Guide/Checklist Employer Resource Guide WorkPays NY video Place orders online at: www.otda.ny.gov/main/publications

24. myBenefits.ny.gov Information on major programs Links to OTDA’s Resources for Working Families and the Department of Labor Multi-program screening tool for potential eligibility Will be expanded to allow users to apply for multiple programs

25. Screening Component Quick, easy, confidential Users input minimal household information Results show potential eligibility for multiple programs, where to apply, what to bring, and provides a printable FS app.

26. Programs Screened For Nutrition Programs Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Tax Credits Health Programs Temporary Assistance

27. Apply for FS Online In many counties in New York State, people can now apply online for food stamps using the food stamp electronic application!

28. How You Can Help Promote economic supports with people served by your organization and other partners Dispel myths and help reduce stigma Utilize myBenefits and provide access to internet for screening Add link to your agency’s website Include information in your newsletters Disseminate WorkPays NY materials

29. Online Resources myBenefits website www.mybenefits.ny.gov Resources for Working Families www.otda.ny.gov/main/workingfamilies VITA sites statewide www.otda.ny.gov/main/programs/tax-credits/vita Access NYC www.nyc.gov/accessnyc The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities www.cbpp.org

30. Partnerships Internal Revenue Service United Way and the CA$H Coalitions

31. New York State OTDA Stephanie Boshart Director, Jobs Program Stephanie.Boshart@otda.state.ny.us 518-486-3151 Mark Schaffer EITC/VITA Statewide Coordinator Mark.Schaffer@otda.state.ny.us 518-474-9346

32. Questions?