New Additions to Brookings.edu

For individuals and OBB sites looking for information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, also known as EITC, Brookings.edu has updated their website and now includes an interactive map, which gives lots of information on the EITC over the past 10 years. The interactive map will allow you to view and create reports on how the EITC has specifically affected your area. It also features pertinent information on the EITC and is a good way to inform yourself, which will allow you to inform your clients and spread the word on the EITC. It is a great training tool for sites that will be embarking on their first tax season this year, and sites ready to take their skills and knowledge to the next level as well. You can create accounts and save material to refer to whenever you need. Not to mention this will help you with your tax lingo and answer many questions you may have.

When you can't afford to pay the tax bill...

These tips come straight from the IRS. Become familiar with these suggestions so that you are not caught off guard the next time your client owes more than expected on their taxes.

Ten Tips for Taxpayers Who Owe Money to the IRS
While the majority of Americans get a tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service each year, there are many taxpayers who owe and some who can’t pay the tax all at once. The IRS has a number of ways for people to pay their tax bill.
The IRS has announced an effort to help struggling taxpayers get a fresh start with their tax liabilities. The goal of this effort is to help individuals and small business meet their tax obligations, without adding unnecessary burden. Specifically, the IRS has announced new policies and programs to help taxpayers pay back taxes and avoid tax liens.
Here are ten tips for taxpayers who owe money to the IRS.
1. Tax bill payments If you get a bill this summer for late taxes, you are expected to promptly pay the tax owed including any penalties and interest. If you are unable to pay the amount due, it is often in your best interest to get a loan to pay the bill in full rather than to make installment payments to the IRS.
2. Additional time to pay Based on your circumstances, you may be granted a short additional time to pay your tax in full. A brief additional amount of time to pay can be requested through the Online Payment Agreement application at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-829-1040.
3. Credit card payments You can pay your bill with a credit card. The interest rate on a credit card may be lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. To pay by credit card contact one of the following processing companies: Link2Gov at 888-PAY-1040 (or www.pay1040.com), RBS WorldPay, Inc. at 888-9PAY-TAX (or www.payUSAtax.com), or Official Payments Corporation at 888-UPAY-TAX (or www.officialpayments.com/fed).
4. Electronic Funds Transfer You can pay the balance by electronic funds transfer, check, money order, cashier’s check or cash. To pay using electronic funds transfer, use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System by either calling 800-555-4477 or using the online access at www.eftps.gov.
5. Installment Agreement You may request an installment agreement if you cannot pay the liability in full. This is an agreement between you and the IRS to pay the amount due in monthly installment payments. You must first file all required returns and be current with estimated tax payments.
6. Online Payment Agreement If you owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest, you can request an installment agreement using the Online Payment Agreement application at www.irs.gov.
7. Form 9465 You can complete and mail an IRS Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, along with your bill in the envelope you received from the IRS. The IRS will inform you (usually within 30 days) whether your request is approved, denied, or if additional information is needed.
8. Collection Information Statement You may still qualify for an installment agreement if you owe more than $25,000, but you are required to complete a Form 433F, Collection Information Statement, before the IRS will consider an installment agreement.
9. User fees If an installment agreement is approved, a one-time user fee will be charged. The user fee for a new agreement is $105 or $52 for agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account. For eligible individuals with lower incomes, the fee can be reduced to $43.
10. Check withholding Taxpayers who have a balance due may want to consider changing their W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with their employer. A withholding calculator at www.irs.gov can help taxpayers determine the amount that should be withheld.
For more information about the Fresh Start initiative, installment agreements and other payment options visit www.irs.gov. IRS Publications 594, The IRS Collection Process, and 966, Electronic Choices to Pay All Your Federal Taxes, also provide additional information regarding your payment options. These publications and Form 9465 can be obtained from www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

The Nothing Campaign

This is a really great campaign put together in partnership with OASHF, Ohio's food banks, and Charter One. Visit www.nothing.org/ohio to learn more. Don't forget to watch the video on the home page. Powerful.

Hunger is affecting our friends and neighbors.

Hunger no longer lives solely in the inner city of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Hunger is no longer isolated to the foothills of Appalachia. Hunger is all around us; in once prosperous suburbs, in small rural communities and in our own back yards. As a way to become involved in the fight against hunger, we invite you to do something, with Nothing. The Nothing campaign is a way to learn about more hunger in Ohio, stay informed, and take action in the fight against hunger, making a difference in the lives of those who are faced with hunger each and every day.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks and food banks throughout the state are selling cans of Nothing, as a way to raise awareness about hunger and as a way to take action in the fight against hunger.

Cans of Nothing are empty and represent the reality that thousands of our friends and neighbors face every day: hunger. Cans of Nothing can be purchased for $3.00 and will provide at least 12 meals to help feed our hungry friends and neighbors. Proceeds from each can of Nothing will go to support the efforts of your regional food bank.

Do Something with Nothing
Joining in on the fight against hunger is easy. Your civic group, faith community or school can help in the fight against hunger by raising funds for those in need by filling cans of Nothing with donations. We’ll even ship you the can! Joining the fight against hunger is simple:

Submit a request for cans in writing, via email, snail mail or fax.
Fax requests should be sent to the attention of Charles Barber, Communications Manager, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks to 614-221-4338.
Requests submitted in writing should be sent to: Charles Barber, Communications Manager, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, 51 North High Street Suite 761, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Agree to the following terms and conditions of the Nothing campaign:
You will provide the cans free of charge to willing participants, such as students and organizational members.
Collect the filled cans from the participants.
Count all donations collected by participants and send a check representing the total amount to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks.
In return, OASHF will recognize your organization, civic group or school with a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement on the Nothing website.

Here are creative ways to Do Something About Nothing:
Donate to the Nothing campaign.
Making a donation to the Nothing campaign is easier than you think! You can donate online or via text message by sending FOODBANK to 85944 to donate $10 now.
Volunteer.
Reach out to your local food bank to learn of ways to give your time and talents. Food banks are always in need of groups to help sort through donations or pack food boxes to distribute to their member agencies.
Host a food drive.
Visit your local food bank website and learn how your organization can collect food that will help those who face hunger within your own communities.
Visit and Learn about your local food bank.
Get a behind the scenes look at how food comes into the emergency food assistance network, it sorted, packaged and made available to share with pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that provide food to Ohioans in need. Get connected with food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters within your community where you can share your time and talents as well.
Compete in a business or organization Nothing challenge.
Request the needed number of cans per department or group within your business or organization Select a time frame to hold the competition—one day, three days, 2 weeks, it’s up to your group. Inspire and educate those who are participating in the Nothing challenge. During the selected time frame, participants compete against one another to raise funds for your local food bank. Collect all funds that were raised and write a check to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, 51 North High Street Suite 761, Columbus, Ohio 43215, along with a brief description of your competition as well as the winner.
Hold a Brown Bag Lunch day.
Each participant donates the money he or she would have spent on going out to lunch to the Nothing Campaign. Collect all funds that were raised and write a check to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, 51 North High Street Suite 761, Columbus, Ohio 43215, along with a brief description of your competition as well as the winner. OASHF will issue a press statement acknowledging your organization and business’s commitment in the fight against hunger.
Stay connected and get social.
Follow @OASHF on Twitter to learn more about Nothing and to stay engaged in the fight against hunger.
Like OASHF on Facebook to stay connected with the Nothing campaign as well as learn more about ways to become involved in the fight against hunger in Ohio.
Sign up for the OASHF newsletter. Sign up for action items and email alerts from OASHF.
Spread the word about Nothing by adding a brief article about the campaign into your organization, civic group or company newsletter.
Request the newsletter template.

Food Prices Rise

Have you noticed a change at the grocery store?

Below is a summary from our director, Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, of the Consumer Price Index for the First Quarter.  This effects clients, providers, and the capacity power of our local pantries and soup kitchens. 

Food prices rose at a 7.5-percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2011, with grocery store prices increasing at an 11.2-percent rate. The increase in grocery store prices outpaced a 2.8-percent increase in the prices of food away from home.

Double-digit increases were seen in 3 of the 6 major grocery store food groups in the first quarter. The largest rate of increase was in the index for fruits and vegetables, which increased at a 23.3-percent annual rate. Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased at a 13.5-percent rate; nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials rose at a 10.4-percent annual rate.

The jump in prices of fruits and vegetables was led by a 28.6-percent increase in the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables, with fresh vegetables increasing at a 69.3-percent rate because of bad weather in many areas. Fresh fruit prices decreased at a 3.2-percent rate, caused primarily by an 18.2-percent drop in the prices of oranges. The increase in fresh vegetable prices was caused by substantial increases of 147.1 percent and 227.8 percent in the prices of lettuce and tomatoes, respectively.

The 13.5-percent jump in prices for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs was led by a 20.0-percent increase in meat prices. The four major food items within the beef and veal index posted double-digit price increases. The same was true for all major food items within the pork index. The index for other meats saw a relatively more moderate increase of 6.5 percent. Poultry prices were up 3.3 percent, fish and seafood 9.5 percent. Bucking the trend was the price of eggs—down 7.7 percent for the quarter, following an increase of 6.1 percent in 2010.

Prices of the remaining grocery store food groups also increased—dairy and related products at an 8.4-percent annual clip, followed by other food at home and cereals and bakery products at 7.1 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively. The increase in the prices of dairy and related products was led by increases of 19.0 percent and 15.8 percent in the prices of fresh whole milk and fresh nonwhole milk, respectively. The increase in the index for other food at home can be attributed in part to the 25.8-percent jump in the index for fats and oils, including 44.4-percent and 46.4-percent increases in the prices of butter and margarine, respectively. Finally, within cereals and bakery products, double-digit prices increases were registered for cereals and cereal products, flour and prepared flour mixes, and fresh biscuits, rolls, and muffins. The price of bread increased at a relatively modest 3.1-percent rate.

The acceleration in grocery store price changes in the last half of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 follows a drop in these prices in 2009 and modest inflation in the first half of 2010. Grocery store price inflation was relatively high during most of 2008 but then fell sharply in 2009, decreasing 2.9 percent, year over year, from November 2008 to November 2009, the sharpest annual drop in grocery store prices since June 1959.

Regional Meeting Review and Resources

Thanks to everyone who made it out to our bi-annual Regional Meetings!  In case you missed yours, you can still look at some of the information we provided.

Here is a copy of the PowerPoint that we showed at each meeting: CLICK HERE

If you want to view the tax presentation video on YouTube (not included in the above PowerPoint), check out Sarah's YouTube Channel to find your county HERE. (there is a list on the right side, click "See all")

Here is a quick link for the information on Summer Feeding Sites:
Visit the Ohio Dept. of Education website for a “clickable map” of all SFSP sites in Ohio by county.
https://oh.cnpcares.com/summer/SfspFoodServByCnty.asp

Here are links to our commercials on YouTube (featured on the Prezi tax presentation)
Taxes Commercial
Benefits Commercial

A Story of Hope from a Desperate Place

I got this e-mail because I am on a listserv for Advocates for Ohio's Future, a statewide group that "Advocates for Ohio’s Future works to maintain vital public services — health, human services, and early care & education — at a level that meets people’s basic needs and protects our most vulnerable populations." The story below is really an incredible testimony to how critical these services are for Ohio citizens. Please consider taking the action steps suggested at the end of the story. As always, thanks for reading!

Last week we highlighted the loss of 430,500 jobs in Ohio through the Great Recession. Joe Fabiano, a 48-year-old father of two, was one of the people to lose his job.

Joe has been a vocal and visible advocate over the last week, sharing his story with the Senate Finance Committee and the media. He also shared his story with us:

Joe provided computer and technical assistance to a variety of companies and customers for over 20 years. Life for Joe, while not always perfect, was good until he was laid off in 2009 as a result of downsizing. Never in his life had Joe even applied for unemployment, let alone other government subsidy programs. Having exhausted his unemployment benefits, Joe was forced to turn to a food pantry to keep food on his table for himself and his daughters. While visiting a local pantry, a volunteer advised Joe of a program called The Ohio Benefit Bank, which would allow him to complete and submit an application for Food Assistance and Medicaid for both him and his daughters. After completing an interview with a Job and Family Services Case Manager, Joe was approved for Food Assistance and Medicaid.

Shortly thereafter, Joe was seen by a doctor, who told him that only one-third of his heart was working and that in order for him to stay alive, he would need a heart transplant. Due to his rare blood type, Joe received a heart five weeks to the day after he was put on the National Donor List at the Cleveland Clinic. Though currently deemed disabled, Joe looks forward to the day when he can return to work and is now pursuing a degree in holistic medicinal practices. Joe attributes his life being saved to the volunteer at the local food pantry who connected him with The Ohio Benefit Bank, which enabled him to see a doctor for the first time in years. When speaking with Joe about what these programs mean to him, he said, “Folks have paid into these programs their entire lives and should not feel ashamed of needing them when the time comes.”
Watch Joe tell his story on YouTube.

Advocates for Ohio's Future needs your help to share the stories of real people, like Joe, and raise the voice of struggling Ohioans.

Will you call your senator and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chris Widener (614-466-3780) and send the following urgent message?

• Along with new jobs, this budget should prioritize workforce supports for those who, despite working hard every day, still fail to provide adequate food, health care, and security for themselves and their families.

• Any new revenue identified during the budget process must be prioritized for health, human service, and early care & education programs. If revenue projections increase, then those additional funds should be used to improve vital services for Ohio’s most vulnerable.

Prefer to send an email rather than call? Click here to email your senator and Senator Widener.

SaveNOW - A Financial Literacy Program that Pays!

I was on the Treasurer of State's website on Saturday morning and was reminded about this really neat program, details below. In sum, you open a Savings account with one of 4 banks (all Ohio banks) and the TOS send you financial education newsletters throughout the year. In the thirteenth month you complete a survey which magically turns in to an extra 3.25% interest on your money!

SaveNOW pays off

SaveNOW proves that savings pays off. Many Ohioans lack a savings safety net for life's unexpected events and expenses. The SaveNOW program is an easy, rewarding way to start building your savings and gain financial education.

What is SaveNOW?

SaveNOW is a higher interest savings account, which rewards savers with a 3.25% interest rate bonus. The Ohio Treasury partners with qualifying banks to offer Ohioans interest-earning savings accounts. Each applicant who opens an account receives a welcome letter from the Treasury and three financial education newsletters during a 12-month period. Ten months after opening an account, the participant will receive a financial literacy assessment survey. The survey must be completed in order to receive the bonus. The saver will receive a 3.25% interest rate bonus on the account’s average daily balance, approximately in the 13th month from opening an account.

SaveNOW has savers in 76 out of 88 counties throughout Ohio. Start today, don’t delay, To enroll in SaveNOW, please complete an application and open a SaveNOW savings account at one of our participating banks (see the list below).

Goal

SaveNOW encourages Ohioans to save a portion of their income, and then rewards them for doing it. More important, the program increases financial literacy by giving Ohioans access to relevant guidance and education.

How it can help

It is important for Ohioans to have resources when the unexpected happens. That improves their financial security, and bolsters the state’s financial health too.

Ohio Saves adds lasting benefits

The Ohio Treasury has a new and exciting partnership that benefits SaveNOW savers. Participants who enroll in the SaveNOW program will automatically be enrolled into Ohio Saves unless they decide to opt out.

Enrolling into Ohio Saves continues financial literacy. Ohio Saves motivates participants to gain control of their finances and develop saving strategies. It allows access to the America Saves newsletter. Ohio Saves is affiliated with America Saves.

For more information go to SaveNOW FAQ.

For more information about Ohio Saves please visit www.ohiosaves.org.

Participating Banks:

PNC Bank
www.pncbank.com

First National Bank
www.fnblifetime.com

Wayne Savings Bank
www.waynesavings.com

CF Bank
www.cfbankonline.com

Guest post invitation

Have you ever wanted to share best practices at your site?  Tell everyone about an inspiring client story?  Share tips on volunteer management? Be a published author?

If you said YES to any of the above questions, we would love to have you guest post on our Central Ohio OBB Blog! 

Guidelines*:

1. Length: Roughly 500 words (or less)
2. Images: Include a picture or headshot of the author
3. Style:  Use a writing styles that read more like an individual would talk as opposed to a press release.  Posts may be serious or humorous, as long as they are authentic, personal and transparent.
4. Content: Other than what is mentioned above (stories, tips, etc) consider topics that are unique, authentic, and that can't be found anywhere else in the network.  Also make sure it caters to other sites and counselors, not clients in particular.
5. Sources: Please give credit to any sources that you use, including links where appropriate.
6. Layout: Make your content easy on a reader’s eyes. Bullet points, bolded sections and short paragraphs work best.
7. Include a small biography for the footer of your post. You may include up to three links to your website or other media outlets.
8. We reserve the right to edit/cut/reject your post before publishing, to help it fit with the voice and image of OBB and OASHF.

*Some of the guideline were based off this great post on the AmeriCorps Alums website, and Heather Huhman.

New counselor assessment - computer literacy

Have you ever wanted a way to make sure you volunteers would be a good fit for The Benefit Bank? It's hard to put into words what skills they may need, so we put it into an online assessment!  This is not meant to be the final word on whether someone should be a counselor, rather a tool to help someone realize if they possess the computer literacy need to be a successful counselor.

The test reveals a score at the end, and I believe getting a 75% or higher means the person would make a proficient counselor.  If someone gets below a 75% but they are able to explain their misunderstandings or willing to spend a little more time familiarizing themselves with basic internet skills, they should still be okay.

If you have any other aptitudes or skills you think are crucial, email Sarah (soligner oashf.org) with suggestions to this work in progress.

Drumroll please.... here it is!

Internet Skills Assessment

Franklin County - New Agency Search Tool!

We received a press release about a great new website that acts as a search tool for agencies across Franklin County.  You can search by whatever service your client needs.  I picture OBB sites using this (for example) if you only handle disability issues but your client also needs housing help, you would head to this website for a quick reference of other housing/rent services.  Below is an excerpt of the press release. I wish every county in our region had a site like this!

A new web site that offers information on more than 70 local human service agencies, along with an online donation option.  Donors using the site will see 100 percent of their gift go directly to the agencies they choose to support.

The new GiveDirectCentralOhio.org Web site is sponsored by the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County.

“The new Web site is a great example of the power of one voice speaking for human services in Franklin County,” said Qiana Williams, Executive Director for the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County (HSCFC).  “GiveDirectCentralOhio.org is a one-stop-shop for donors who are looking to support an agency that helps children, families, seniors or individuals.  Visitors to the site can learn what an agency does, choose what they want to support and then donate right there, online.”

The site includes information on more than 70 member agencies of the HSCFC.   Services provided by the agencies include meals-on-wheels for senior citizens, child care and after-school programs, food pantries, housing, services for people with developmental disabilities, as well as assistance to people with cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, mental illness and addiction.  In addition, agencies provide help to people who have lost a job or home, among many other services.

The Human Service Chamber of Franklin County is an association of social service organizations in Franklin County dedicated to improving the quality of human services through collaboration, advocating for the needs of their clients, and impacting public policy.  The Chamber’s mission is to enhance system efficiencies and effectiveness in order to develop one voice for the human service system by promoting, enhancing, and advocating for human service organizations and the clients they serve in central Ohio.

Visit www.humanservicechamber.org for more information and for a complete list of member agencies.

Ohio Will Have Summer Crisis Program

The Office of Community Services has announced that, thanks to an additional release of funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a Summer Crisis Program will be held this year.

  

The program will be held in July and August to assist elderly and low-income disabled residents with air conditioning bills. Details will be forthcoming.

  

Fiscal Year funding for LIHEAP for 2011 is just over $181 million, a decrease from last year's $220 million. 

Read the article or find more news from the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies here.

Tabling Event tips

 This post is written by Sarah Olinger

They got to park right out front. Hello OBB Express!

One of the many perks about working with the Ohio Benefit Bank is traveling around Ohio, meeting organizations and people who are doing great things (or are in need or great help).  Last week I went with another VISTA and our OBB Mobile Express to a school in Cincinnati. I was excited to connect with a school in need, as my project focus is school outreach in Central Ohio.

My colleague Beth managed to wrangle a couple of Kings Island tickets as donations, and she set up a raffle opportunity with the school.  Our table was set up in the middle of a hallway, and our goal was to catch parents as they went by.  What better way to attract attention than the opportunity to win free tickets?

We also made sure to have plenty of marketing, squishy fruits, and signage to alert people to the opportunities at our table.  If you are doing a tabling event in the future, make sure you have enough OBB marketing to pass out.  Need more marketing for your site? Order it here. Some sites also print stickers with their contact information, placed on the brochures. 

If you need an OBB representative to do a tabling event, or need any materials or advice, we do plenty of outreach and would be more than happy to give you a hand! Let us know.