CCCS Seeks Volunteers: Improve the Economic Stability of Niagara County Residents

By -

 

CCCS Seeks Volunteers: Improve the Economic Stability of Niagara County Residents;

Seeking Tax Preparation Volunteers

Volunteers have 27% higher odds of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers

Make A Difference in Your Community—while adding skills to your resume

Between the pandemic and our country’s recent social justice reckoning, the financial insecurity faced by millions of Americans is finally being seen as a systemic issue in need of reform.

An emerging movement for economic justice calls for intervention from the government, employers and nonprofit organizations. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Niagara (CCCS) and the Niagara County Financial Literacy & Empowerment Coalition are leading the efforts in Niagara County.

And while the work is complex and will take much time, CCCS and the Coalition are beginning part of this ongoing project by announcing that they will once again hold their Free Tax Prep/Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in Niagara County with sites in Lockport and Niagara Falls.

Volunteers will help low income individuals and families file their taxes—and access eligible tax credits--saving them hundreds of dollars in unnecessary tax preparation fees (Average cost of tax prep=$300 and tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, ranges from $506-$6,269) and avoiding refund anticipation loans and inflated filing fees (typically about $200 per filer—this makes the cost of filing taxes $500 or more!).

CCCS and the Coalition announced today that they are seeking volunteers for a few hours per week February through April 15th 2021 to help with its Free Tax Prep Program. Those interested in becoming volunteers are urged to register with CCCS by contacting Robby Dunn at robert.dunn@cccsbuffalo.org by November 30th.  There is no prior experience required. Volunteers will receive free training and be part of a program that helps thousands of households every year. We encourage all those who want to help the individuals and families who are hurting the most to join our team.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Details of President Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Program; Announces Final Extension to Student Loan Repayment Program

By -
  Millions of Americans have waited eagerly over these past two and a half years for student loan forgiveness. This week, President Biden issued the first of his student loan forgiveness plans. For those earning less than $125,000 a year—or couples with incomes under $250,000--up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt will be forgiven . If individuals used Pell grants to attend college (which are reserved for students with greatest financial need), up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt will be forgiven.   President Biden also this week officially extended the “ student loan payment pause” until December 31 st , 2022. Interest rates will remain at 0% until repayments start in January 2023. Biden states that this will be the last extension for student loan payments.   Mandatory student loan payments as well as interest accrual have been “on pause” since March 13, 2020, the beginning of the pandemic. 98.8% of borrowers did not make payments during this time perio...
Read more

Debt Management FAQs - Part 2

By -
What types of debts can be included in a Debt Management Plan (DMP)? You would be able to include any credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, or collection accounts. What types of debts CANNOT be included in a DMP? You would not be able to include student loans, mortgage, auto loans, or personal loans that are secured by collateral. What are the costs associated with a DMP? There is a monthly service charge of $35* (included in your monthly payment to us), and a one time initial set-up fee of $55* (payable with your first month’s payment only).  Unlike a debt settlement or debt relief agency, we do not charge fees based on a percentage of your debt, and the fees are nominal to cover administrative costs only, as we are a non-profit.  There are no “hidden” fees.  The only other fee you would ever see from CCCS is if your payment was returned (bounced check or returned ACH), and the amount of that fee is $25. *The amount of the monthly service charge and set-up fee may...
Read more

Loan Cancellation for Student Loan Borrowers Who Attended Corinthian Colleges

By -
Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced the cancellation of $5.8 billion in federal student loans for 560,000 individuals who borrowed to attend schools owned by Corinthian Colleges, the for-profit college conglomerate that is now defunct. Corinthian was a notorious repeat offender that defrauded its students and the public over many years. This loan cancellation would not have been possible without the tenacity of so many individual student loan borrowers harmed by Corinthian’s tactics. Many of them came forward to law enforcement agencies and regulators to detail systemic abuses. Others even had the courage to make their stories public to urge government authorities to act, rather than sitting on the sidelines. Over the last decade, I had the opportunity to speak with many of them to learn about Corinthian’s conduct. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state attorney general actively pursued Corinthian for its misconduct. The CFPB filed a lawsuit in 2014, obt...
Read more