SSI Ohio Project Update

The SSI Ohio Project, administered by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), helps individuals 18 and older who are dealing with homelessness and/or mental health issues apply for SSI and SSDI and other benefits. If you know someone who needs assistance applying for SSI/SSDI benefits you may now use the Site Locator to find an SSI Specialist.  Be sure to check the SSI/SSDI box on the right side of the page.  Here is the SSI Ohio Specialists for Columbus:     Community Shelter Board in Partnership with YWCA Wings Specialist: Meridith Bardus YWCA Columbus 65 S. 4th Street 614-224-9121 ext 1273 Mbardus@ywcacolumbus.org  (Only accepts referrals from Community Shelter Board agencies)

OBB Services offered to Ex-Offenders: OPLC Event

Public Benefits Legal Information Presentation for Ex-Offenders

• This legal information session is open to the public, but some of the information may be geared  toward exoffenders.
• This legal information session is FREE!
• Snacks and drinks will be available at no charge.
• All attendees will be provided with useful printed materials to take home.

Date: Wednesday, March 9
Time: 6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Location: United Way of Central Ohio
360 S. Third Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC) and the Franklin County Reentry Task Force present a FREE reentry-focused legal information session for ex-offenders.

An OPLC Staff Attorney will present information on public benefit programs, such as what is available, who is eligible, and what to do if you are denied.

Ohio Benefit Bank Counselors will be available to check eligibility and submit applications for public benefits such as food stamps, cash assistance, medical coverage, and more.

Champaign County Service Prodivers: Event

(Click the image to view a larger version in your browser)

To register as a resource information provider, please complete the section below and email to Carlene Sands carlene@ctcn.net no later than March 25th. Please put Project Connect Registration in the subject line.

Table and chair(s) will be provided. Being ready to start at 5 pm is appreciated.  You may set up as early as 12:00 if you wish.

My Name/Title:

Name of my agency:

Services that you provide:

Person(s) who will be present:

Phone:

Email: 

Do I need table space that is against a wall?

Do I need electricity? 

Any other comments, questions, etc:

Woohoo Central Ohio!

Did you all see this in the weekly Tax Update Email?! Central Ohio Benefit Bank sites are doing AMAZING work!

Tax Site Spotlight:

• With the help of just four OBB counselors The Salvation Army of Marion, Ohio filed 121 state and federal returns last week. More than 85% of these were completed by just two counselors. Great work!

Do you know a tax counselor or tax site that is doing really great things this tax season? Reply to this e-mail (cambrose@oashf.org) with their name, organization, and why they are so great and you may see them in next week's Spotlights!

http://who-is-awesome.com/

Did you know: Back Taxes

Did you know you can help clients file up to three years of back taxes with the Ohio Benefit Bank?  Check out this article we recieved from the IRS, and help your clients potentially claim past credits!

IRS Has $1.1 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2007 Income Tax Return

Video: How to Request a Copy Your Tax Return: English
WASHINGTON — Refunds totaling more than $1.1 billion may be waiting for nearly 1.1 million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2007, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2007 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 18, 2011. 

The IRS estimates that half of these potential 2007 refunds are $640 or more.
Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. 

For 2007 returns, the window closes on April 18, 2011. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund. 

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2007 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2008 and 2009. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans. 

By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than a refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2007. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds, which in 2007 were $39,783 for those with two or more children, $35,241 for people with one child, and $14,590 for those with no children. For more information, visit the EITC Home Page. 

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2007, 2008 or 2009 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by ordering on-line, calling 1-800-908-9946, or by filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS. 

Individuals Who Did Not File a 2007 Return with a Potential Refund  in Ohio