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

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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

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

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Statistics Noncustodial EITC EITC Qualifying Limits EITC Maximum Credits Miscellaneous EITC Facts Claiming the EITC

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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Child Tax Credit Empire State Child Credit Education Credits Federal and State Dependent Care Credit

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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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Complex program eligibility requirements Lack of information about available benefits Limited access points Stigma Others

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Outreach to New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet Networking with community service providers and multi-level government agencies Connecting with business community

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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

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Information on major programs Links to OTDAs 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

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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.

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

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

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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 agencys website Include information in your newsletters Disseminate WorkPays NY materials

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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

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Internal Revenue Service United Way and the CA$H Coalitions

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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

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