Community Action News
December 2020
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SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM WCAC
Whether your holiday traditions include lighting a menorah or a kinara, gathering around a Christmas tree or another means of celebrating, we at WCAC wish you peace, good health and happiness. 2020 has tested us all and while the promise of a vaccine brings a sense of hope, WCAC remains committed to helping all those in need throughout our community for as long as it takes to collectively recover from this devastating pandemic. Happiest holiday wishes from our family to yours, and cheers to a joyous, prosperous, happy new year!
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P.S. Photo is from WCAC's 2019 Festive Sweater Day... look forward to having our staff all back together someday soon!
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EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE
The City of Worcester has provided funding to WCAC to provide an emergency payment to tenants at risk of eviction because of the economic impact of COVID-19. This activity is specifically to prevent Coronavirus spread to people at risk of homelessness through COVID-19 rental assistance. The program is open to qualifying Worcester tenants at risk of eviction due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 and disbursing rent and utility payments on their behalf. Program Assistance is limited to a total of $ 3,000 per rental unit. This assistance is not considered an income payment.
In order to qualify, an applicant must qualify as low income at/or below 80% AMI and be able to document loss of income due to COVID-19. Prioritization is given for those ineligible for unemployment assistance. Applicant must have been a Worcester resident on March 1, 2020, and must not have received RAFT funds or any other COVID related rental assistance since that time. Agency payments are to be made directly to property owners and utility companies.
Additionally, the tenant and property owner must agree to the following:
- Landlord must agree to waive any additional rent arrearages and not pursue eviction for non-payment of any rent and utility arrearages
Please visit WCAC's website for additional details of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Please call (508) 762-9800 or email rent@wcac.net with questions.
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HOME HEATING HELP
We know many households are struggling financially due lost or reduced wages as the result of COVID. We also know many households are experiencing increased utility usage because they are working from home or have children doing remote learning. What we want those households to know, is that WCAC is here to help – home heating help is here! Whether you are a returning client or someone finding themselves struggling for the first time - home help is here!
Please refer to WCAC's fuel assistance webpage for additional information about eligibility as well as forms required to complete your application.
In order to do our part to keep our employees, our clients and the community safe, WCAC’s offices remain closed to the public. All first-time applications will be done by appointment over the phone. Both online scheduling and online applications are coming soon. Applications can be returned by mail or dropped off to drop box located outside WCAC's main office on the 2nd floor of the Denholm Building, 484 Main Street, Worcester. To check the status of your application call the 27/7 automated line at 508-754-7281 and follow the voice prompts.
Be assured, our staff is working hard, but please be patient if there is a delay in our response time. The best way to reach our fuel assistance staff is to email LIHEAP@wcac.net
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VITA GOES VIRTUAL
Through WCAC's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, IRS-certified volunteers prepare taxes and specifically look for tax credits the household may be eligible for, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, and others. Utilizing the free tax preparation services allows families to retain their full refund, avoiding typical preparation fees which can often cost hundreds of dollars.
Tax preparation for 2021 will occur using a new online system that enables clients to submit their documents from a smartphone or computer for 100% contact-free tax preparation. Additionally, limited hours will be available at WCAC's headquarters, 484 Main Street, Worcester for clients unable to utilize the online system to drop-off their documents for tax preparation. Tax preparation will begin the first week of February. Check back soon to WCAC's website for the schedule of drop-off times and the link to begin your taxes.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare tax returns for income-eligible individuals and families for the upcoming season, January-April. Training and IRS certification is provided- no previous tax experience is required. Volunteers may prepare returns from home and will be supported by advanced level preparers to ensure accuracy of every return. Interested? Email vita@wcac.net or leave a message at 508-754-1176 ext. 171
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THE SHOW MUST GO ON
For the past five years, WCAC has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with The Hanover Theatre where a portion of proceeds from a performance of their annual production of A Christmas Carol benefited the agency. While we will certainly miss sharing this wonderful holiday tradition with our clients and staff this year, we encourage you to consider supporting the theatre by enjoying A Christmas Carol Reimagined... a special COVID inspired, video-on-demand performance available through December 31st.
Learn more and buy tickets here.
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Please note:
WCAC's offices will be closed on Thursday & Friday, December 24th & 25th, 2020.
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Lighted snowflakes are installed in WCAC's Denholm office windows as part of the BID's snowflake project. |
SNOWFLAKE PROJECT
WCAC is proud to be participating in the Downtown Business Improvement District's Snowflake Project. In lieu of the City of Worcester's traditional Festival of Lights and skating on the common, the city together with the BID and local businesses are working together to light up downtown. Check out WCAC's Denholm Building windows along with many others illuminated throughout downtown Worcester now through February.
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WCAC is hiring. Several opportunities now available. Click on the Help Wanted icon for additional details.
Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, membership in the uniformed services or any other classification which is protected under state or federal law.
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www.WCAC.net Info@WCAC.net |
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