WCAC Joins Push to Encourage Area Residents to Apply for New Federal Funding
Millions of dollars available in expanded food benefits, child tax credits and stimulus checks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24,2021
CONTACT: Ellen M. Ganley, Director of Policy, Public Affairs & Advancement
EGanley@wcac.net 508-762-9807
Terra Oliveira, Director of Financial Empowerment
TOliveira@wcac.net 508-754-1176 x111
WORCESTER, MA – WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell has joined Mayor Joseph Petty in calling on Worcester residents to apply for millions in new federal funding available to Massachusetts residents through several new and expanded government programs.

Mayor Petty said, “We know that right now may be a difficult time financially. We want to make sure everyone in the city gets what they are entitled to.”

“The federal government is issuing several forms of economic stimulus payments,” noted WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell. “We want to make sure anyone who is eligible takes advantage of them.” In particular the groups are reaching out those that haven’t yet gotten a stimulus payment, those with a child or dependent not already in the IRS system; those that haven’t filed their taxes for last year; and those with low to no-income.

  •  Tax Credits: Beginning in July, low or no-income families with children are eligible to receive monthly payments of up to $300 per child, per month. In addition, hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents are eligible for up to $3,200 in federal stimulus checks if they did not get them. And thousands of dollars in additional benefits are available through the Earned Income Tax Credit. To receive all of these benefits, Worcester residents need only to file 2020 taxes. To learn more and to receive free application assistance, visit https://www.findyourfunds.org.

To assist eligible families, WCAC is re-opening the agency's free tax preparation program for four days to encourage parents who haven’t yet filed their taxes access the new Child Tax Credit monthly payments starting in July. 
WCAC's VITA office will be open for walk-ins at 484 Main Street, Suite 202, Worcester on Friday and Saturday June 25th & 26th and again Saturday & Sunday July 9th & 10th from 9 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Clients should bring all of their tax paperwork (income, unemployment, disability statements, ID and SSN/ITIN cards for themselves and dependents). Documents will be scanned, and tax preparation will happen by off-site volunteers. A signature will be required prior to filing, after a phone interview with a tax preparer and client approval of their draft return.  


  • SNAP: Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP provides money for food purchases. It is currently easier than ever to apply for SNAP, and the benefit amount is at an all-time-high. For example, a family of four with an annual household income below $53,000 is eligible for $782 every month. If you received P-EBT, you are likely eligible for SNAP and can get both benefits at the same time. As many as 10,000 of the 18,000 Worcester students who received P-EBT could be eligible for SNAP. With P-EBT ending at the end of this summer and temporary increases in SNAP, there’s no better time to apply. To learn more and to receive free application assistance, visit https://www.map-ebt.org/snap. 

 
Mayor Petty was joined by Campbell and Gina Plata-Nino, Staff Attorney for the Central West Justice Center, to create videos discussing the importance of applying for these programs


 The videos are available below:
About WCAC

Since 1965, the Worcester Community Action Council has served as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for central and southern Worcester County, with a mission of helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships and advocacy.

Serving the City of Worcester and 45 neighboring communities of Auburn, Blackstone, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northborough, Northbridge, Palmer, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield and Westborough.
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