New Resource: The Benefit Bank

Posted by on December 15, 2006

Solutions for Progress is pleased to introduce you to an exciting internet-based tool?The Benefit Bank (TBB?)– that allows you to provide free online access to government benefits and free tax filing for low- and moderate-income families.

This letter is an invitation to join many other organizations across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania (and the country) as a site for the deployment of TBB?. Together we can contribute to the financial stability of families in your community by connecting them to thousands of dollars in government resources that were legislated, appropriated, but are currently untapped. Each year more than $75 billion in government benefits go unclaimed nationally because of complex application procedures, confusing eligibility requirements and inadequate support for the applicants. TBB? lessens these barriers through the combination of intelligent software and participation by churches and organizations that are committed to strengthening human lives and building strong communities.

The TBB? network is growing in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Churches and other faith-based organizations, as well as social service organizations, community-based organizations, employers, and unions are using TBB? to ease the financial strain on the people they serve in their communities and to help move people toward economic self-sufficiency.

What is TBB??
TBB? is an internet-based, counselor-assisted internet-based program that simplifies the process of applying for many state and federal benefits, and helps low- and moderate-income individuals and families maximize income tax refunds and public benefits. It is a tool that enables a wide range of faith- and community-based organizations to efficiently and effectively fulfill their commitments to individuals and families.

What will TBB? cost you?
Nothing. TBB? is available FREE to the organizations that want to host the program and is always offered free to the clients using the service.

What can TBB? do for my community, congregation, clients, etc?
Every year a single site can bring over $600,000 into its community with minimal effort. We have estimated that if a single site uses The Benefit Bank to do the following:
– File federal and state income taxes for 4 families each week from mid-January to mid-April
– File an amended tax return for 1 family with average income each week from mid-April to December and for 2 families with very low income for the same period
– File applications for Food Stamps for 2 families each week from mid-April to December
– File a SCHIP application for 2 children each week from mid-April to December
it is possible to bring $600,000 plus to its community.

And an individual family can enhance its income by more than $10,000 per year, not including the value of Medicare/ Medicaid!!

In Pennsylvania we offer the following:

1. 2006 Federal and State taxes
2. 2004 and 2005 Back Taxes
3. LIHEAP
4. Child Care Subsidy
5. PACE/ PACENET
6. PA property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
7. Food Stamps
8. Medicaid
9. CHIP
10. Adult Basic
11. TANF
12. Voter Registration

What are we asking from you?
We are asking for a commitment from you to provide this needed service to your community. With one call to the SfP office, you can begin to make a very real, very tangible difference and start the process of bringing much needed services and money into your community.

What do you need to be a TBB? site?
Basically, you need a room with at least one internet-connected computer and access to a printer, at least one person willing to be trained as a counselor, and the most basic marketing effort.

Training
Tax Training sessions are scheduled for the months of December- January. We are extending an invitation to have members of your organization participate in these trainings. The two-day trainings are a thorough preparation in how TBB? works and how to help clients navigate through it. These trainings are critical in building a community of providers and counselors within the TBB? network.

Marketing
TBB? has developed professional and compelling marketing materials that can be used as direct marketing campaigns for those eligible community members and families. Posters, bookmarks, flyers, hand outs, paycheck stuffers, church bulletin notices, etc.?all are downloadable from the TBB? web site and free for your use as a TBB?site.

I welcome the opportunity to speak with you in more depth about TBB?. I encourage you to visit our website at http://www.thebenefitbank.com. Then, call me to explore how TBB? can enhance your work, to schedule training or arrange for me to visit you to discuss the possibilities and implications of TBB for your organization.

By helping individuals overcome the debilitating effects of poverty and assisting them in building sustainable economic futures we are doing the best kind of work together.

Thank you in advance for your interest in The Benefit Bank network!

Sincerely,

Matty Hart
Project Manager, The Benefit Bank
Direct: 215-701-6202
[email protected]