The Midcoast Maine Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) coalition had another record-breaking tax season, helping 443 taxpayers file federal and state income taxes that resulted in about $763,000 worth of federal and state refunds going back to the local economy.

This year the coalition was backed by an incredible crew of community and Bowdoin student volunteers who were honored last week at a volunteer recognition event at the Brunswick Inn. With such a great commitment from the community, the coalition was able to reach more individuals and families in the low- to moderate-income bracket and increased the amount of returns filed by about 21 percent from last year. Plus, nearly $269,000 worth of Earned Income Tax Credits were returned to the local economy. The EITC is the federal government’s largest anti-poverty program. The benefit is intended to reduce the tax burden on those workers and supplement wages.
“The service continues to serve a crucial need in the midcoast area, with the average wage of those served at about $20,000, every little bit saved during the tax preparation process makes a world of difference,” said Volunteers of America Project Director Sharon Ross.
Plus, volunteers help make the process less intimidating, as one client said, “I am like a fish out of water. Taxes [are]… definitely hard for me even just to get through the basics. These guys (Midcoast CA$H volunteers) were really on top of it.”
Since the 2007 tax season, the Midcoast Maine CA$H coalition has helped about 1,600 individuals and families with free tax preparation services, with more than $1.7 million being returned back to the local economy. During the 2011 tax season, CA$H Maine served about 3,633 Mainers, and $2,342,844 worth of EITC refunds was brought back to the state economy.
The Midcoast CA$H coalition was formed in the fall of 2006 in an attempt to educate the public about the Earned Income Tax Credit . The program was launched through a grant from the Department of Justice Weed & Seed Program, which was fiscally managed by Volunteers of America Northern New England, and funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Funding this year was provided by an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Grant, Volunteers of America, and mini-grants from Key Bank, Annie E. Casey Foundation, United Way Mid Coast Maine, and One Economy.

Midcoast Maine CA$H partners are: Annie E.Casey Foundation; Bath Savings Institution; Bowdoin College; Brunswick Housing Authority; Casey Family Services; Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; Money Management International, Maine; Downeast Energy; Goodwill Industries; Internal Revenue Service; Kennebec Intra-District Schools; Key Bank; Merrymeeting Adult Education; Midcoast Maine Community Action; One Economy; RSU1 Adult Education; United Way of Mid Coast Maine; University College at Bath/Brunswick; U.S. Department of HUD; Volunteers of America Northern New England; and Women, Work and Community.

Families struggling to make ends meet shouldn’t have to pay to get their tax refund and, in Maine, they don’t – thanks to the Midcoast Creating Assets Savings, and Hope (CA$H) Coalition. Midcoast CA$H offers free tax preparation from Jan. 22-April 14, 2012 to anyone who earned less than $50,000 in 2011 (combined income).

Call 207-319-1390 to make an appointment starting Jan. 9, 2012. Or 207-373-1140, ext. 206 for more details.

Maine’s Circuit Breaker program allows eligible Maine residents to receive a partial refund of property taxes and/or rent paid on their primary residence.  For more information: http://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/tnr.htm

WWC  provides training, advocacy and assistance in four program areas: Building a Career; Starting a Business; Managing your Money; and Becoming a Leader.  For more information go to: http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org/

Maine CareerCenters

Maine CareerCenters provide information on job hunting, training opportunities and/or services available to veterans, young people and persons with disabilities: http://www.mainecareercenter.com/

University College/UMS System

University College uses the Web, interactive television (ITV) and other options to bring classes to your home and community, so you won’t have to commute to campus. To view degree programs available off-campus, and all other related information go to: http://www.learn.maine.edu/

Southern Maine Community College/SMCC

Southern Maine Community College offers programs in business, health, education, the arts, trades, and the natural and social sciences.  For more information: http://www.smccme.edu/

Southern New Hampshire University/SNHU

Southern New Hampshire University/SNHU offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs on location at several continuing education centers; and online through one of New England’s largest distance education programs.  For more information: http://www.snhu.edu/

Pine Tree Legal’s LITC helps clients deal with questions and problems with the Internal Revenue Service. Their services are free.  For contact information go to: http://www.ptla.org/taxpayer/taxpayer.htm

Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)

CEI provides financing and business counseling support to start-up microenterprises and expanding/job-creating small businesses through the Small Business Development Centers at CEI and the organization’s Women’s Business Center.  For information about all of CEI’s financial and business education programs go to: http://www.ceimaine.org/

Women, Work and Community

WWC can help you build skills, gain confidence, and develop the networks.  For information on classes and funding options go to: http://womenworkandcommunity.org/?page_id=18

Family Development Account Coalition – Matched Savings Program — FDAs

The FDA Program enables low-income families to establish matched savings accounts which can be used to establish a business.  For a program description: http://womenworkandcommunity.org/?page_id=101

The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community (WWC) and Midcoast Maine Community Action are the two agencies offering the program in the Sagadahoc/Lincoln County area.

The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community offer Family Development Accounts (FDA’s), or “matched savings accounts”.  The learn more about FDA’s and whether you are eligible, go to http://womenworkandcommunity.org/?page_id=80.

Midcoast Maine Community Action also offers FDAs.  To learn more about their FDA program: http://www.midcoastmainecommunityaction.org/

Tedford Housing

Tedford Housing provides shelter, housing and services to those in need. For contact information: http://tedfordhousing.org/

2-1-1

The 2-1-1 Maine Resource Directory includes program and service information as well intake procedures, eligibility requirements, and other vital information. To access the Directory go to: http://www.211maine.org/about.asp.  To speak to a 2-1-1 Operator any time any day, simply dial 2-1-1.

Homeless shelters in Maine

For a comprehensive listing of the homeless shelters in Maine go to: http://www.maine.gov/education/homeless_ed/shelters.htm

General Assistance

General Assistance (GA) is a program run by every town to help residents with emergency needs.  In an emergency, you can apply by phone.  For more information about the General Assistance Program go to: http://www.ptla.org/ga.htm

Emergency Food Assistance

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program offers food assistance to individuals and families.  For more information: http://www.mchpp.org/

Food pantries in Maine

To locate food pantries across the State of Maine go to: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/co/tefap/countysearch.html

Fuel/Utility Assistance

LIHEAP

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating costs.  For more information, including contact info, go to: http://www.mainehousing.org/PROGRAMSLiheap.aspx?ProgramID=37

Low Income Assistance Plan at Maine Housing

If you receive residential electric service from an electric utility and you are not living in government subsidized housing, you may be eligible for assistance with your electric bills from your electric utility’s Low Income Assistance Plan at Maine Housing.  For information: Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP).

Appliance Replacement Program at Maine Housing

If you pay your own electric bill, you may be eligible for a new, energy-efficient refrigerator from MaineHousing’s Appliance Replacement Program.  For information: Appliance Replacement Program.

Central Heating Improvement Program at Maine Housing

If your heating system is in need of repair or replacement, you may qualify for the Central Heating Improvement Program at Maine Housing.  For information: Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP).

Housing Authorities provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.  Locally there are two Housing Authorities: the Bath Housing Authority and the Brunswick Housing Authority.

The Bath Housing Authority has Public Housing Properties for families, elderly and disabled, and also a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program.  Contact the Bath HA: 443-3116.

The Brunswick Housing Authority has Public Housing Managed Properties for families, elderly and disabled.  In addition, the HA manages various programs, including Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher, Family Self-Sufficiency, and congregate housing services.  For information: http://www.brunswickhousing.org/

To see a listing of all Housing Authorities in Maine go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/me.cfm

Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers

MaineHousing’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance to income eligible tenants.  For more information: http://www.mainehousing.org/RENTALProgramsDetail.aspx?ProgramID=50

Affordable Rental Units

Affordable apartments have been developed across the State. For more information go to:  http://www.mainehousing.org/RENTALSubsidizedHousing.aspx

http://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/publications.htm

The HoMEworks goal is to provide homeownership education.  Buyers who have taken the home buying classes are more confident about homeownership and loan products, and the education gives buyers the tools they need to avoid predatory lending and possible foreclosure.

Click on the following links for more HoMEworks information.

HoMEworks brochure

HoMEworks class schedule and fee information