Regional Meetings!

Hello Central Ohio Benefit Bankers!
We are holding Regional Meetings once again.  To see the date and time for your meeting and to RSVP, please click on the registration link for your county.  The agenda will include updates on the OBB, iformation on a new partnership with UHCAN OH, tax season recognitions and debrief, and a chance to answer any questions you or your clients have about the OBB.  If you have a client, potential volunteer counselor, or anyone else you would like to bring along please do so.  Also, send pictures of your tax season and any other Benefit Bank activities at your site to Sarah (solinger@oashf.org) if you would like them featured in our presentation!  They will be shown at the meeting and on our blog.  We look forward to seeing you at the meetings!

Union :: Champaign :: Logan

Fayette :: Madison :: Clark

Ross::Pickaway::Fairfield

Delaware::Marion::Morrow 

Knox::Licking 

Franklin

FY2011 H.R.1473—Impact on Ohio’s Safety Net

Are you wondering how to sort out all the federal budget changes and implications?  Our colleague Nora Nees helps break it down, just click here. 

This document touches:

• Corporation for National and Community Service
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program
• TEFAP
• WIC
• LiHEAP
• Senior Community Service Program
• Housing for the Elderly program
• Emergency Food and Shelter Program
• Head Start
• Community Development Block Grants
• Community Service Block Grants (CSGB)

Spring Community Advisory Panel

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel held it's Spring Community Advisory Panel on Wednesday April 14. Topics of the panel include a PIPP Plus update, the impact of the New Telecommunications Bill, The Future Electric Power Grid and Smart Meters, and House Bill 95- Natural Gas Deregulation. To find out more about House Bill 95 click here.
If you would like to learn more about the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio visit them at www.puco.ohio.gov/.
If you would like to learn more about The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel visit them at www.pickocc.org.

Statewide OBB Photo Contest

*Remember, one grand prize winning OBB site will receive a free trip to the OBB Annual Conference, including mileage, hotel, and dinner for two!

AmeriCorps Outreach

Your AmeriCorps VISTA trainers are gearing up for AmeriCorps Week, May 14-21.  We are looking for places to either do quick informational presentation or set up a table for information.  If you are connected with a group of people who you think could benefit from learning about AmeriCorps as a job/experience opportunity, please let Sarah or Heather know.

Here are some examples to help you consider options:

1. Table at a high school cafeteria
2. Table in a high traffic area at a college/university
3. Job fair
4. College or high school classroom
5. Service/nonprofit community meeting or group
6. Small restaurant/coffee shop
7. Church home group or service ministry
8. GED class
9. Community resource event

Think outside the box!  Our main goal is to educate community members about opportunities with AmeriCorps and help get people connected with the potential for a fantastic year of service.  

Contact: Sarah Olinger | solinger@oashf.org | 614.357.6146
Heather Pennington | hpennington@oashf.org | 614.935.8401

Taxes + Government Shutdown

How the federal shutdown, specifically with the IRS, will impact free tax operations.

The following important pieces of information are from the IRS:

• E-files will be processed and refunds paid
• Paper returns will not be processed and refunds will not be paid. The IRS will be collecting payments but not processing returns.
• Payments will be processed both paper and electronic
• Telephone assistance will be available for 1040 individual tax issues only.
• TAC offices will be closed. Scheduled appointments must be rescheduled.
• Audits and other meetings scheduled by the IRS will be cancelled and rescheduled by the IRS after the shutdown 
•   TAS will be available for emergencies only.

Uninsured Ohioans Update

Our friends at UHCAN have releases this flier to inform the public what they help with and how representatives can be reached.
 
In summary: 

• Uninsured callers who do not qualify for Medicaid and cannot explore the option of private insurance.
• Low to moderate income level callers who want more information on affordable health care options and need help with navigation.
• Callers who do not qualify for Medicaid that need prescription assistance.
• Callers who do not qualify for Medicaid that have current outstanding medical bills. 
• General health care questions or concerns.

Call Today: (614) 456-0060 ext 233

April 18 Filing Deadline Approaching; IRS Offers Tips to Taxpayers

creditnet.com

The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that they have two weeks remaining until the April 18 filing deadline and that they can use IRS Free File to do their taxes or file an extension. 

As of March 25, the IRS has received more than 82 million individual income tax returns, which is 58 percent of the 141 million returns expected this year. The IRS has received about the same number of returns so far this year as it did at this time last year, while processing of returns is up 3 percent from the same time last year. 

Numerous economic recovery tax credits are also still available. The IRS reminded taxpayers that for some credits, such as the Making Work Pay Credit, individuals must claim the $400 ($800 for married couples) in order to receive it. (Use Schedule M to calculate your Making Work Pay credit.) 

Usually, 20 to 25 percent of all taxpayers file in the final two weeks of the tax season. And, usually, about 7 percent of taxpayers seek a six-month extension to file. 

Taxpayers have an extra weekend to file this year because of a District of Columbia holiday. The deadline for 2011 is Monday April 18, instead of April 15. 

The IRS offered these filing tips as the final countdown begins: 

Start now to gather information and prepare your return to avoid hasty and possibly costly errors;

• Many tax credits from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are available. There’s an expanded American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 for tuition, books and fees; a larger energy credit of up to $1,500 and an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit for larger families of up to $5,666. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit is still available for people who entered into a binding contract by April 30, 2010, and went to settlement by September 30, 2010;
• File electronically to get a faster refund, have secure, encrypted transmission and a more accurate tax return.
• If you cannot meet the April 18 deadline, file an extension, Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. All taxpayers can use Free File to submit a Form 4868 for an automatic six-month extension.
• The six-month extension is to file a return only; it is not an extension to pay taxes due. If you are unable to pay your taxes, file a tax return anyway to lessen the penalties and pay all that you can. Then work with the IRS to set up a payment plan or you can go to IRS.gov and use the Online Payment Agreement Application. 

As always, you can contact The Benefit Bank helpline at 1.855.822.4357 if you need assistance with the program, or contact a regional representative for the Ohio Benefit Bank.

Important Information about HEAP and the Winter and Summer Crisis Programs

The Regular E-HEAP season comes to an end today!!! Your customers who have still not turned in their application for Regular HEAP should do so immediately, the deadline is April 15. For more information on important utility assistance deadlines, and for information about the potential impact of federal budget cuts on the upcoming Summer Crisis Program, click HERE If you have updates to share with the OBB Central Region send them to Zach Reat at zach@oashf.org

Now Hiring: AmeriCorps VISTA Community Organizer for Central Ohio

Here is the posting on Idealist:

http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/5ZkbtJwKn5sP/

The AmeriCorps VISTA program is a national service program dedicated to fighting poverty. VISTA members commit to serve for a full year at a nonprofit organization or agency. Members work within the community to fight poverty from multiple fronts: illiteracy, hunger, improve health services, increase access to community resources, and much more! Serving in the VISTA program allows you to make a difference within your community; gain new skills and experiences; and has amazing networking opportunities. VISTA is a full-time position that comes with multiple benefits, including health coverage.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) VISTA program focuses on increasing the financial security of low-income community members by assisting them in accessing public benefits and tax credits and by increasing financial literacy. VISTA members achieve this through development and maintenance of The Benefit Bank sites. The Benefit Bank is a free, secure, web-based software that allows trained, certified counselors to screen clients on a variety of Ohio public benefits including Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid and Ohio Works First as well as filing federal and state taxes. Once the client's pre-eligibility is determined, a complete application is printed and ready to be submitted at the local Department of Job and Family Services.

We are currently recruiting VISTA members to be “community organizers”. In that position you will help current Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) sites expand their capabilities by implementing the OBB Direct Access program; continue efforts in recruiting educational institutions as OBB referral organizations and counselor-assisted sites; aid OBB sites in fostering a cohesive relationship with the county Departments of Job & Family Services to reduce the barriers to receiving public benefits; connect OBB sites with other community resources such as banks, credit unions and county extension offices to provide wrap-around services; recruit & train community organizations, staff & volunteers as OBB counselors; prepare reports on the economic impact of the project; fundraising, food drives, grant research & writing and other capacity-building projects specific to the assignment site.

How to apply:

1.       Go to www.americorps.gov>
2.       Click on “advanced opportunity search”
3.       Click “program type”, VISTA
4.       Type under “program name”, OASHF
5.       Select “OASHF- Columbus, OH”

Contact:
Maureen Ringlein, VISTA Leader | mringlein@oashf.org
51 N High Street
Columbus OH 43215
614-221-4336
www.oashf.org

Great News for Uninsured Ohioans!

This e-mail came to me today from UHCAN Ohio with this attachment:

My name is Mallory Greenham, and I am an Information and Referral Associate here at UHCAN Ohio, in Columbus, as well as a active HarvestCorps member. I am reaching out to inform you of this wonderful new service for all Ohioans, UHCAN Ohio’s Helpline. You may have already received our information, but just in case, I am attaching our flyer. Please feel free to distribute it your OBB counselors or anyone else who you think may have clients who would benefit from our services. If you have any questions about the Helpline and the services we offer I would be happy to answer them!

Mallory D. Greenham
Information & Referral Associate, UHCAN Ohio
AmeriCorps Member, The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks

UHCAN Ohio
370 South Fifth Street Ste G3
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.456.0060 Ext 233
Fax: 614.456.0059
mgreenham@uhcanohio.org

Make sure that your clients are aware of this important resource, keep up the good work Mallory!

Jail n Bail

A Benefit Bank site in Central Ohio has found a really creative way to do a fundraiser.  They are "jailing" staff and volunteers, and asking for "bail" to get them out.  The event is happened on April 1st.  While I do think it would be quite funny to tell everyone I know on April 1st that I am in jail and need bailed out, Heather and I (Sarah) are in training all week so neither of us can help out.  If anyone out there wants to be involved in the Jail n Bail with T.O.U.C.H. (a prison re-entry organization), here are a couple ways you can get involved:

1) Register to be "locked up" on the day of the event and raise your "bail" by calling people you know to donate. I am attaching a registration packet if you would like this to do this option.
2) Register to be "locked up" right now and raise your bail from home (we have an email template for that that you can send to people)
3) Donate to my (Lena) bail. I am jailed ahead of time for being guilty of "overuse of deadlines" and need to raise $1,000 bail. You can help bail me out by going to www.touchimp.org and clicking on the "Donations" tab which will take you to PayPal.