It feels like just yesterday we were in the midst of the 2022 tax season. In case you missed it in the last newsletter, we helped 13,813 clients get $21 MILLION back in tax refunds this year! The Prosper Tax Help team is excited to continue helping community members file for free as we resume our services starting June 20th through October 14th for year-round tax preparation services. 

Our IRS-Certified Tax Preparers can help with the following: 

• Filing and correcting tax returns (current and prior years)
• Responding to IRS letters 
• Applying for and renewing ITINs 

We will be open for in-person services at our two Prosper Centers on the following days/times: 

• Tuesdays 12pm – 6pm  
• Thursdays 9am – 3pm  
• One Saturday a month (6/24, 7/8, 8/19, 9/16, 10/14) 9am – 1pm  

Click here to view our NEW Year-Round Tax Services flyer. 

Our appointment scheduler is now LIVE on our website, with appointments starting on June 20th. Clients are welcome to schedule an appointment, but walk-ins are welcome! Visit ProsperTaxHelp.org or call 737-717-4000 to schedule an appointment. 

Summertime means adventures, and adventures sometimes lead to injuries.  

Thousands of Texans over the summer are going to lose Medicaid, but they're not going to know it until they try to take their kids to the doctor or the ER for an accident or summertime injury. 

In April, Texas HHS started asking people on Medicaid to renew their Medicaid applications for the first time since COVID started in 2020. Thousands of people are unaware of this renewal period, and many are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Only 20% of households that received renewal requests from HHS since April have responded. 

If your office serves people who are on Medicaid or have kids who are on Medicaid, advise them to reach out to Foundation Communities' Benefits Assistance Program for friendly, local help finding out what their status with Medicaid is and how they need to move forward. If people can't be on Medicaid any longer, we can help them make plans for other coverage, through employers' health insurance plans, the federal health insurance Marketplace, or local public health programs. 

What: Medicaid Renewal Help 

Who: Foundation Communities' HHS Benefits Assistance Team 

How: Call 737-249-6394 or email [email protected] 

Want flyers? Visit https://foundcom.org/pc-flyers/ and click on "Health Coverage" for Medicaid Renewal flyers in twelve languages 

Want a presentation for staff or community members? Email Lynn Cowles at [email protected] 

This month we want to highlight our newest team members and the people that make our Benefits Assistance program possible! Our two Benefits Assistance Specialists Jessica and Lorena joined us a few months ago and since then have been meeting with clients on a daily basis helping them enroll, renew, and troubleshoot their Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits available with YourTexasBenefits. 

Meet the Benefits Assistance team!

Jessica Valdez

Birthplace: Houston, Texas 

Time at Foundation Communities: 6 months 

Background: Former Kindergarten teacher at Charter School 

Hobbies: Going to the gym, taking dance classes, hiking 

“Connection has been a continuous theme in my growth path through life. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my students and clients on a real level. I’ve always been passionate about guiding and empowering people to achieve healthier minds and lives. As an advocator for helping people feel their best, it has always been a part of my profession in some ways. This type of work motivates me because it allows me to build relationships and continue my values of helping my community. I’m able to advocate for my clients and provide some piece of mind by helping them enroll in benefits.” 

Lorena Santos

Birthplace: Tamazula, Jalisco

Time at Foundation Communities: 6 years as a Tax Help seasonal employee, 1 month as a Benefits Enrollment Specialist 

Background: Case management 

Hobbies: Zumba, spending time with family, swimming, watching movies 

“I really enjoy assisting people in navigating different systems that can be difficult to understand. Knowing that I can make a difference in the community though my experience and knowledge makes my job very rewarding. Knowing that we can give people the peace of mind of being able to have medical coverage and food on their table motivates me to continue doing this type of work.” 

With the end of continuous Medicaid Coverage, the Benefits Assistance team is eager to help community members apply for coverage. Schedule an appointment with them at our website or call 737-717-4000! 

Are you interested in enrolling in college or career training this fall? Not sure where to start? The College Hub is here to support you all summer long. Escape the heat and pay us a visit to:  

• Plan your college journey and familiarize yourself with the admissions process.  
• Explore a wide range of degree options tailored to your interests.  
• Navigate the enrollment process for ACC or other local programs.  
• Discover financial aid and scholarship opportunities.  
• Brainstorm creative solutions to overcome obstacles hindering your enrollment.  

You can schedule an appointment with us or simply drop by our offices at the Prosper Centers.  

No prior appointment is necessary, and all of our services are free. We're here to help you every step of the way!  

An Update from Free Minds 

Lastly, we wanted to celebrate our Spring semester grads through the Free Minds program. Free Minds students recently completed their semester and wrapped up earning three credits in Creative Writing at Austin Community College. The class marked the successful culmination of the program on May 11th with a special celebration. Congratulations to the Spring 2023 Free Minds class! 

Looking ahead, Free Minds will be taking a pause and will not offer an academic course for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. This decision has been made due to a combination of factors, including low enrollment and program structure adjustments. Partner organizations are in communication about the program's future direction.