New Jersey Community Resources

Time 2020-10-25 14:04:32

Web Name: New Jersey Community Resources

WebSite: http://www.njcommunityresources.info

ID:93911

Keywords:

Jersey,New,Resources,2019EarnedIncomeTaxCreditprogram,EITC,WinterTerminationProg

Description:

The following is an email message issued by a director of Voter Protection for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party which I'd like to pass along. Want to be a poll watcher on Election Day in Philadelphia?Poll Observers will be the campaign's eyes and ears on the ground throughout Philadelphia on Election Day. Responsible for monitoring a specific polling location and reporting any issues to the campaign's "Boiler Room," Poll Observers assist voters and help ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot. Poll Observers are the first line of defense against any problems that arise (e.g., long lines, ballot shortages) and any voter intimidation or confusion. Throughout Election Day, Poll Observers will be in close communication with the campaign team, who will provide direction and guidance and help troubleshoot issues. As a Philadelphia voter, you are uniquely positioned to make a big difference by serving as an Inside Poll Observer (also known as a "Poll Watcher"), in which role you will be permitted inside the polling location you are assigned. Importantly, this will allow you to observe, report, and address what is happening beyond the walls of a particular polling place, where you will raise voter protection issues with Election Officials directly and work with officials and voters to resolve problems in real time. Note that only Philadelphia voters working on behalf of a party or candidate are eligible to play the critical role of an Inside Poll Observer on Election Day. You will receive a formal Poll Watcher Certificate that authorizes you to serve in this role.Here’s what you need to know and how to sign up:Time Commitment & Assignment: Ideally, you will be available from 6:30AM until 8:00PM or later on November 3. After completing the requisite training (see below), you’ll receive our Poll Observer Manual and additional information about your role.Training: To become a Poll Observer you first need to attend an upcoming virtual training session, where you will learn the ins and outs of serving as a Poll Observer from the campaign's Voter Protection Team - including an overview of the voting process and voters' rights, what issues to be on the lookout for, how to handle various problems that may arise, and how you will report to and communicate with the campaign.Sign Up Now! Training sessions are scheduled for Oct. 19, 21, and 22. Click here to sign up for a Poll Observer Training!If you have any questions, feel free to reach out directly to Magdey Abdallah, Regional Voter Protection Director for the campaign.Annotated List of Pennsylvania Voter Engagement ResourcesPA Online Voter Registration Application Description: The preferred voter registration method but you must have either a PA Driver’s License or a PennDOT ID. Allows you to register to vote, change of address, name change. Voter Registration Application – Paper VersionDescription: Paper form to register, change address, name. Paper applications are also available in other languages. Mail-in & Absentee Ballots Online Application Description: Options: 1) apply online, 2) download paper application, 3) call Board of Elections. Problems? Call 215-686-1509. Application for Mail-in Ballot – Paper Version Description: Hardcopy paper application. Find Your Voter Registration Status Description: Search for your voter registration status with your name, Penn DOT Driver’s License or Penn DOT ID. Enter county, zipcode, DOB.Find Your Polling Place Description: Enter your residence address, assuming you are registered at that address. Otherwise, check your status using, “Find Your Voter Registration Status”. Problem? Call 833-728-6837 (833-PAVOTES). "What's In The Mail?" - How to Complete a Pennsylvania Mail-in Ballot - YouTube Description: Step-by-step instructions on what you will receive with your mail-in ballot; how to complete and return your voted ballot. Track Your Ballot Status Description: To track the status of your application or ballot enter your name, DOB and county. Voter Application Status Description: To check on the status of your online voter registration application include your application number, name, DOB.Are You Ready To Vote? Description: A great landing page! Includes a link to Ready to Vote Toolkit with a treasure chest of social media goodies. This set of voter engagement links was created on behalf of Philadelphia's 22nd Ward Open Caucus.For additional voter resources visit Michael Swayze's Community Resources Blog at https://panjcommunityresources.info.How Non-Filers Can Get Their Federal Stimulus CheckMillions of families are missing out on a $1200 or $2400 federal stimulus check, officially known as an Economic Impact Payment, because they did not file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. According to a report issued by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,"About 12 million Americans risk missing out on the stimulus payments provided through the recent CARES Act because they must file a form byOctober 15 to receive it."Households may still be eligible for payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). To claim the payment non-tax filers must complete a "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" application and provide simple information. Issuance of Economic Impact Payments do not affect various social benefit programs, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid. The stimulus payment is a tax credit and does not count against social programs or as a Public Charge.It is estimated there are 725,00 adults and children in New Jersey and Pennsylvania alone who missed receiving automatic payments, totaling$725 million.According to IRS, the following may be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment: U.S. citizens, permanent residents and qualifying residentaliens who:Have a valid Social Security number,Could not be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer, andHad adjusted gross income under certain limits.To apply use the IRS Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool ifyou are not required to file a federal income tax return for 2019 for any reason, including:Your income is less than $12,200You're married filing jointly and together your income is less than $24,400You have no incomeInformation you will be required to provide includes: full name, current mailing address, an email address, dates of birth and valid Social Security numbers, bank account and routing number, if you have one, driver's license or state-issued ID, if you have one.To provide the required information individuals must create an account with IRS, providing their email address, phone number and establish auser ID and password.Additional information is available in a recent Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reporttitled, "Aggressive State Outreach Can Help Reach the 12 Million Non-Filers Eligible for Stimulus Payments."The deadline to apply is October 15, 2020.2019 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) InformationThe Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for families and individuals who have income from employment. It increases the amount refunded to a taxpayer or reduces the amount of tax owed. For 2018, 576,000 filers in New Jersey were able to be credited $1.4billion with an average tax refund of $2,360. However, almost 25% of eligible New Jersey taxpayers never file for EITC. You must file a tax return to claim your EITC. Twenty-nine states, including New Jersey, maintain their own EITC program. New Jersey taxpayers may receive a credit equal to 39% of their federal credit. It is based on their employment earnings, filing status, number of children and adjusted gross income(AGI).Number of Qualifying ChildrenSingle/Head of Household or Widow(er), Income Must be Less ThanMarried Filing Jointly, Income Must be Less ThanMaximum Federal CreditMaximum NJ State CreditThe EITC Assistantis an online tool to estimate if an individual or family may qualify by answering a number of questions. The IRS also publishes a one page fact sheet, IRS Notice 797 and a more detailed booklet, IRS Publication 596.Free assistance to prepare and file your federal income tax return is available from a number of organizations andprograms. The United Way and H&R Block partner to offer MyFreeTaxes. All income levels areeligible to file both federal and state returns for free using MyFreeTaxes.com. Also available is Free File another free, easy to use online software program. Taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is $69,000 and below are eligible. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation to low and moderate-income taxpayers, especially age 50 and older.The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older. Most VITA and TCE sites are open February to April.The IRS provides a Find a Location for Free Tax Help page. The NJ 2-1-1 Partnership maintains a NJ Free Tax Assistance Locations page. South Jersey residents in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland Counties, as well as residents in Philadelphia and Montgomery County, can get tax preparation help from the non-profit Campaign for Working Families. Non-profits, advocacy groups and government agencies can participate in outreach efforts by promoting the NJ EITC Page and their NJ EITC Informational Flyer. Groups interested in conducting an outreach campaign or promoting EITC on social media should subscribe to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Get It Back Campaign.Employers are encouraged to distribute copies of "Have You Told Your Employees About the Earned Income Credit (EIC)?", available as Notice 1015 by the IRS. The New Jersey Division of Taxation publishes a Statement to Employees.Smartphone users can downloadIRS2Go, the officialIRS mobile app. You can use it to check your tax refund status, find free tax prepartion services, or even send a paymentto Uncle Sam.DCAid - New Screening Tool For Housing and Energy ProgramsThe New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Housing and Community Resources launched "DCAid", an eligibility screen tool to help consumers find housing-related assistance programs for which they may qualify. In a press release, Lt. Governor and DCA Commissioner Sheila Oliver stated, "the DCAid tool is a quick and simple process that allows people to find out if they are eligible for housing assistance programs, utility assistance, homelessness prevention services, and other programs that will help to improve their quality of life."The press release further stated: "The eligibility screening process is a series of questions that takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete. Users can find out if they are eligible for DCA services that provide assistance with rent, including the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and the State Rental Assistance Program, heating costs, utility bills, removal of lead hazards in the home, Veterans Affair Supportive Housing (VASH), weatherization assistance, and homelessness prevention programs. The results, based on general income and household information entered, will provide the user with a brief description of eligible programs with contact information for the agency where the user can apply."To find out if you are eligible for any of these programs visit the eligibility screening tool, DCAid.NJSave - Online Application For SeniorsThe New Jersey Division of Aging Services has launched a new online application, NJSave, for the benefit of older New Jerseyans. It is targeted to individuals with lower income and disabilities. The application makes it easier to evaluate program eligibility in such areas as: prescription drugs (PAAD program), Medicare premiums, utilities (Lifeline Utility Assistance) and other living expenses.Additional information is available on the Division's NJSave page.

TAGS:Jersey New Resources 2019EarnedIncomeTaxCreditprogram EITC WinterTerminationProg

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A site providing information to New Jersey residents on community agenices, energy assistance programs, benefit programs, links to elected officials and more. Online since 1995.

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