Income Strategies

 

The North Texas Area United Way is committed to affecting system change and funding programs that contribute to the following outcomes:

• Increasing financial literacy and life skills among low to moderate-income individuals and families.
• Connecting Individuals and families to coordinated support services that reduce barriers to achieving resilience and financial stability.
• Build and sustain assets among low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

Direct Impact Through Programs:

• Programs that provide workforce development
• Programs that provide financial education
• Programs that provide adult literacy
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

VITA

The United Way is the community convener around the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. This program offers free tax preparation to low to moderate-income families and ensures that all eligible individuals receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the largest anti-poverty tools in the United States. This refundable tax credit reduces or eliminates the taxes that low-income working families pay and generates a refundable credit, therefore increasing family income.

In Wichita County alone it is estimated that 15 % to 20% of eligible working families do not claim the EITC. Utilizing free tax preparation offers a means for low income families to save limited financial resources .

In 2009, we successfully prepared over 1600 low-income tax returns, resulting in over $2.4 million direct dollars returned to our community and an economic impact far greater.

>> Click here to learn more about the VITA program.

2-1-1 Texas

2-1-1 Texas is a free statewide 24-hour information and referral service.  By simply dialing 2-1-1, callers can received information about community and social services, such as food pantries, emergency shelter, rent assistance, utility bill assistance, child care, and senior services to name a few. 

2-1-1 is also a key component of the state emergency disaster plan.  Trained 2-1-1 Information and Referral specialists serve as a centralized information clearinghouse for the latest information from local, county, state and national agencies.

In 2008, 2-1-1 handled 16,918 local and disaster calls. 

>> Click here to access the 2-1-1 Database of Services

TRIAD

With hundreds of military personnel in the North Texas area involved in the Iraq and
Afghanistan deployments, the impact is taking a physical, emotional, and financial toll on the families of these dedicated service members. This creates special challenges for military families.

>> Click here to learn more about the TRIAD program

Indirect Change Through Changing Systems:

 

United Way and 2-1-1 determine unmet community needs and convene community coalitions to address them and improve service delivery in our community.

 

The North Texas Area United Way is working with diverse community stakeholders and experts to implement a system framework for improving the financial stability of our community.

>> The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

>> 2-1-1 Texas

>> Find help now!

>> Community Impact Council

>> Our community partners