Benefits Advocacy: Case managers at ACS provide benefits advocacy services to help low income households secure or maintain their entitled benefits. Benefits advocacy can help you identify and apply for public benefits such as SNAP (Food Stamps), health insurance, and Social Security. Tri-CAP can also help resolve problems related to denial or termination of benefits. Benefits advocacy is provided as a stand alone service and as part of case management in Tri-CAP’s Advocacy, Energy and Child Care programs.
Financial Literacy: Tri-CAP collaborates with local financial institutions and community agencies to offer financial literacy classes. Come learn how to get out of debt, manage credit, start saving, and become “MoneySmart.” Classes are held four times each year. Next class starts in October 2012. To register, call and leave a message at 1-866-833-2823. Information on upcoming classes.
Taxes: Tri-CAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program can prepare your federal and state income taxes for free. Tri-CAP’s IRS-certified staff and volunteers will make sure that you get any credits for which you are eligible. Tri-CAP works closely with the IRS to provide this service, which is open to all.
Asset Development: Individual Development Accounts are matched savings accounts for people with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (200% income eligibility chart). For every dollar you save, Tri-CAP provides a matching donation of $3 to your savings account up to a total of $5,000, helping you accomplish your goal of funding education, buying a house, or starting a business. IDA savers receive financial literacy education and participate in an ongoing Savings Club. Call Freda at 781-322-4125 to find out more.
Second Chance Banking (New!) : Tri-CAP offers a 2nd Chance Banking Program to eligible individuals from the financial literacy program. Participants will save money in a special savings account to be used towards repayment to a bank so they can become “bankable” and open up their own bank account.
