1. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Bureau of Employment and Advancement Services Presenter: Mark Schaffer April 2011

2.  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.  Earned Income Tax Credit  Other Tax Credits  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance  Work Supports  MyBenefits  Partnerships

4.  Statistics  Noncustodial EITC  EITC Qualifying Limits  EITC Maximum Credits  Miscellaneous EITC Facts  Claiming the EITC

5.  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

7. Qualifying ChildrenIncome No 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)

8. Qualifying ChildrenMaximum EITC Amount No Qualifying Children$603 1 Qualifying Child$4,022 2 Qualifying Children$6,645 3 or more Qualifying Children$7,476

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

12.  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.  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.  Child Tax Credit  Empire State Child Credit  Education Credits  Federal and State Dependent Care Credit

15.  10 th Year Anniversary  22 LDSS VITA sites in TY ‘09  Over 200 volunteers  7,195 returns  University partnerships

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

17.  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.  Food Stamps  Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)  EITC (Federal and State)  Other Tax Credits  Health Insurance  Child Care Subsidy  Child Support  Others

19. 19 New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance 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.  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.  Complex program eligibility requirements  Lack of information about available benefits  Limited access points  Stigma  Others

22.  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. 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.  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.  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.  Nutrition Programs  Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)  Tax Credits  Health Programs  Temporary Assistance

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

28.  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.  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.  Internal Revenue Service  United Way and the CA$H Coalitions

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