June 2020

Are You Eligible for Benefits?

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Benefits Launch Will Tell You!

Challenging doesn’t even begin to cover what life has been like for most people over the past several months!

The COVID-19 public health pandemic has shown us how quickly life can change. Millions of people have lost their jobs or have been forced to take pay cuts. More people than ever before need a boost. Whether that means getting help to feed your family, being able to get the healthcare services you need, or much more, there are programs that can help.

Is it Hard to Get Benefits?

It’s easier than you think. Benefits Launch can make the process easy and fast. All you need is about 10 minutes to answer a few questions to see what benefits you may be eligible for.

How Do I Know if I Qualify for Benefits?

There are over 20 public benefits available, all you have to do is answer a few simple questions about your household and income. Then, Benefits Launch will quickly determine which benefits you may be eligible for. After you’ve answered a few questions, you can speak with a Campaign for Working Families Resource Specialist who can help you find the benefits you need.

But I Have a Job. Can I Still Get Benefits?

Some people are eligible for benefits even if they have a job, especially part time employees and individuals who have had their hours reduced. It’s easy to find out if you qualify using the Benefits Launch tool.

What Kind of Benefits Are We Talking About?

Just to name a few, Benefits Launch helps to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which can help with the cost of groceries, Medicaid which helps with making healthcare affordable, Child Care Works program to help pay for the cost of childcare, and more!

How Much Does it Cost?

Nothing! Zero! Completely FREE.

This Sounds too Good to Be True. How is This Possible?

Another Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization, Benefits Data Trust (BDT), helps connect people to benefits they may not know they’re eligible to receive. The organization works with the city of Philadelphia and other community-based organizations, such as Campaign for Working Families, to help people find benefits to help them purchase groceries, obtain healthcare or pay for utilities. 

Our partnership BDT helps people live healthier, more independent lives by creating smarter ways to access essential benefits and services with dignity and respect.

Okay, So If I’m Eligible for Benefits, How Do I Get them?

Each of the benefit programs has a different application process. Benefits Launch will give you the option to apply online or with help by phone. You will still have to apply, but we’ll be with you every step of the way!

You are not alone! The COVID-19 world has made life difficult for many people. Over the past 12 years, BDT has helped more than 110,000 Philadelphians heat their homes, feed their families, and pay for healthcare and CWF has filed over 250,000 returns, finding millions in refunds for families and individuals in Philadelphia. Let us know if we can help you!

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Why the 2020 US Census Matters

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There’s a Lot at Stake

Have you ever heard the old saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil”?

The 2020 US Census is your chance to be the squeaky wheel because everyone has a voice!

In order to get more of what you need to live your best life, you need to make your voice heard. The census is a powerful tool that helps you shape your future and the future of your community.

What Exactly is the 2020 US Census?

The 2020 US Census is a way for the country to measure what is needed and where it’s needed most. To name just a few things, it’s a marker that determines,:

    • District representation based on how many people live in each community
    • What programs will receive funding
    • How to keep our communities safe

It only happens once every 10 years, and the information gathered shapes a lot of major decisions for another decade.

Show Me the Money!

Money is the bottom line. We’re talking hundreds of billions of dollars! That’s a lot of the green! 

Legislators, business owners and community leaders use your answers, and the answers of everyone in your community, to make decisions about what to fund for the next 10 years. 

Decisions about money for schools. Decisions on funding community health clinics. Decisions about financing services to help families. Your response to the 2020 US Census affects you and everyone in your community.

How Can the Census Actually Help My Community?

Let’s start with a timely example—the COVID-19 pandemic.

The information collected by the 2020 US Census will help communities respond to disasters. When your community is dealing with a pandemic, the data from the 2020 US Census is what determines some of the funding for hospitals and other first responders. 

There are so many community resources that are affected by your answers. For instance, do the schools in your community have the money they need to give your children the best education possible? Are there enough protections in your neighborhood to keep everyone safe? Do families, especially children and the elderly, have an adequate food supply?

The results of the 2020 US Census inform how federal funding is allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. 

The results aren’t just used for government projects.

Ever wonder why a business opens in one neighborhood and not another? 

Business leaders review data, such as the census, to decide if there are a sufficient number of residents to support a business, and how the population in a community has changed over the years in terms of how it might affect their business. 

The census also helps nonprofit organizations, such as Campaign for Working Families, understand the best way we can help families.

What Kind of Questions Does the Census Ask?

The 2020 US Census asks really simple questions, such as:

    • The number of people who live in your household and whether they’re related to you or not
    • Whether you own or rent your home;
    • Your race
    • Your age

Yes, it gets personal. But that’s what makes it possible to count as many people as possible and make sure every individual is represented appropriately. The census will also ask for your phone number, but don’t fret—they’re not going to call to bug you or give away your information. They’ll only collect your phone number in case they need to call about a specific question based on your responses. Your answers are completely confidential and will never be shared or sold to anyone. 

Who Should Participate?

By law, the government is required to ask everyone living in the United States to complete the 2020 US Census. And there is no citizenship question. 

How Do I Participate?

It’s really easy to participate and it takes less than 30 minutes (possibly less than 15 minutes for most people). You have probably already received a notice via a form in the mail (if not, call English: 844-330-2020 or Spanish: 844-468-2020 to participate). Representatives are available to speak to you in 14 different languages. You can also answer the questions by phone or online.

Don’t Get Scammed!

Unfortunately, there are dishonest people who will try to take advantage of the census and to get access to your personal information. 

One main way to identify a scam website is to check the website address. Note that valid Census Bureau websites will have “.gov” at the end. 

The website 2020census.gov provides key information about the 2020 US Census and how to respond. 

My2020census.gov is the direct website address you can use to respond to the 2020 US Census online, and 2020census.gov will also direct you to my2020census.gov to respond. 

Remember, the Census Bureau will never ask for: 

    • Social Security numbers
    • Bank account or credit card information
    • Anything on behalf of a political party
    • Money or donations

Should I Participate?

Even if you think things are going well in your neighborhood, there’s always room for improvement! 

The 2020 US Census is a tool that puts the power of deciding:

    • What communities get resources
    • What families get the help they need
    • How your community will be represented. 

Use the power of your voice! everyone counts!

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CWF Offers Virtual Tax Prep

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Connect with Us Remotely for Tax Filing

These last few months have been a whirlwind. If you’re feeling as though your world has been turned upside down, you’re not alone. A lot of things have been postponed—even taxes.

If you still haven’t filed your tax returns (you have until July 15, 2020), free, professional help is still available for those who qualify. And, because our tax sites are only open on a limited basis due to the pandemic, you could even complete your entire return in your pajamas if you wanted to!

With CWF Virtual Tax Prep, you don’t have to get all your information together and deliver it to one of our offices. You still have to get your information together, but all you have to do is pick up your phone or log on to your computer. It’s easy and it keeps everyone safe, which is the most important thing right now.

[fusion_button link=”/virtual/tutorial/” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”default” button_gradient_top_color=”” button_gradient_bottom_color=”” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”” border_color=”” border_hover_color=”” size=”” stretch=”default” icon=”fa-video” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]Watch This Tutorial on How Easy Virtual Tax Prep Works[/fusion_button]

Is This One of Those DIY Tax Software Programs?

No!

This isn’t like a do-it-yourself tax program (like TurboTax, TaxAct or H&R Block) you see advertised. You will still receive the same professional tax preparation service from our experts, just not in person. Instead, one of our experts will prepare your tax returns remotely. It’s the same great service that helps families who live in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey and earn less than $55,000 annually with services to get the refund they deserve.

So, How Does It Work?

All it takes is a few easy steps:

    1. Go to CWFphilly.org/virtual
    2. Click the link to GET STARTED (you’ll be directed to our partners at GetYourRefund.org)
    3. Answer some simple questions and verify your identification. 
    4. Upload your documents (W-2’s, 1099, 1095-A,B,C)
    5. Do a phone review with an IRS-certified preparer
    6. We’ll file your taxes…you wait for your refund!

No Computer, No Problem!

If you have access to a computer, great. If not, all you need is a smartphone that can access the internet and take photos of your important documents.

Is It Secure?

Yes! This portal meets all IRS security standards, and your information will be as secure as if you were visiting one of our in-person tax sites. GetYourRefund is a partnership between Campaign for Working Families (CWF) and Code for America, a non-profit that uses the principles and practices of the digital age to improve how government serves the American public, and how the public improves government, starting with the people who need it most.

Filing taxes can be complicated and confusing.

It’s not like we’re taught how to do our taxes in grade school—and even if we were, tax codes change all the time making it a challenge to keep up. 

Do you qualify for a tax credit or a tax deduction? Are you eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? The skilled and experienced professionals at CWF can help you answer all those questions and make sure you take full advantage of any tax credits available. 

Whether you use CWF Virtual Tax Prep, or have other questions about your taxes, let us know. We’re on your side!

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