bridging the gap training series, winter 2011 hillary lazar, program director, nhsa

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Bridging the Gap Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA Home is Where the Heart Is Programs that Help to Create Safe, Thriving Homes and Families

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Bridging the Gap Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA. Home is Where the Heart Is Programs that Help to Create Safe, Thriving Homes and Families. Understanding the Basics: What Home and Family-related Supports Are and Why They Matter. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Bridging the Gap Training Series, Winter 2011Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Home is Where the Heart IsPrograms that Help to Create Safe, Thriving

Homes and Families

Page 2: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Understanding the Basics:

What Home and Family-related Supports Are and

Why They Matter

Page 3: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

• Foreclosure Assistance• Rental Assistance• Energy/ Utility Assistance• Childcare Subsidies• Caregiver supports

Page 4: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Did you know?

Childcare can be more expensive than college

Page 5: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Did you know?

The foreclosure crisis is predicted to be only halfway over.

Page 6: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Did you know?

Over 5 million people rely on housing supports, nearly half of whom are elderly or disabled.

Page 7: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Home and family supports are crucial for several reasons:

1. Family Success

2. Workplace Success

3. Community Success

Page 8: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Family Success:

Income Income

Food Stamps

Medicaid

Rentand Utilities

Other

FederalTax Credits

State and CityTax Credits

HEAP

Budget GapFood

Health Care

Transportation

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

Annual Expenses Annual Resourcesbefore Benefits

Annual Resourceswith Benefits

2011 Poverty Line for Family of 3 $18,530/Year

Budget Gap – Single parent, 2 children, working as a childcare provider, $8.00/hour

Budget Surplus: Up to $2000+/year

Page 9: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Workplace Success:

Decreased absenteeism

Increased retention

Greater employee commitment

Higher-levels of productivity 

Page 10: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Employee Support

Puts Money Back Into the Economy.

Page 11: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Home and Family

Supports 101

Page 12: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

1. Energy Assistance - HEAP

2. Foreclosure Assistance - HARP

- HAMP

3. Rental Assistance- Vouchers

- Public Housing

4. Caregiver Supports

Page 13: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

What it is:  

Who it benefits:

Helps with heating, cooling and weatherization

Low-income families and individuals

Page 14: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility: 

Page 15: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Categorical Eligibility/Other info: • Enrolled in SNAP, TANF, SSI, Veteran’s Benefits

• At immediate risk.

• “Qualified” immigrants (unless in multi-unit household)

• Enrollment is seasonal

Page 16: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

How to Claim it:  For more information, please visit: Liheap.ncat.org; [email protected]

NEAR LIHEAP hotline: 1-866-674-6327

Page 17: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

What it is:  

Who it benefits:

Lowers monthly mortgage payment to 31 percent of verified monthly gross (pre-tax) income

At-risk homeowners

Page 18: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility: • House is primary residence

• Mortgage obtained on or before January 1, 2009

• Mortgage payment is more than 31 percent of monthly gross (pre-tax) income

• Up to $729,750 is owed on the home

• At-risk due to financial hardship

• Sufficient, documented income to support the modified payment

Page 19: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

What it is:  

Who it benefits:

A new loan that helps refinance into a new affordable, more stable mortgage

At-risk homeowners

Page 20: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility: • Mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae

• Mortgage must have been sold to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae on or before May 31, 2009

• Mortgage cannot have been refinanced under HARP previously unless it is a Fannie Mae loan that was refinanced under HARP from March-May 2009

• Must be current on your mortgage at the time of the refinance with a good payment history over the last twelve months

• The current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be greater than 80%.

Page 21: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

How to Claim it:  For more information, please visit:

Page 22: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

What it is:

 

Who it benefits:

Participants are able to find and pay for their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments using vouchers.

Very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled.

Page 23: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility: • Eligibility is determined by the PHA.

• In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area.

• By law, a PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income.

Page 24: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Other Information: • Participants can select a unit with a rent that is below or above the payment

standard and pay 30% of monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities.

• Moves are permissible as long as the family notifies the PHA ahead of time.

• Everyone -- tenant, landlord and PHA -- has obligations and responsibilities under the voucher program.

Page 25: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

What it is:

 

Who it benefits:

Safe, affordable housing

Low-income families

Page 26: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility: • Annual Income does not exceed the income limits established by HUD.

• Good credit, no balances to prior landlords.

• No habitual, current or previous housing conduct that would be likely to endanger other residents (Five incidences in the previous three years) • No recent record of violent criminal activity or criminal activity involving drugs or drug-related activity in three years or a sex offender.

• Has not been evicted from any assisted housing in 3 years.

• Must submit evidence of citizenship/eligible status.

Page 27: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

How to Claim it:  For more information, please visit: www.hud.gov

1-800-569-4287

Page 28: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

What it is:

 

Who it benefits:

Helps pay for childcare so that parents/guardians can work.

Low-moderate income, working parents and guardians.

Page 29: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility: 

Page 30: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Eligibility/Other info: • Be a state resident w/a child or children who needs child care while working or in school

• Work 20 or more hours a week - or- work 10 hours and go to school or train for 10 hours a week

• Have a promise of a job or school

• Child who needs care must be a US citizen or an Lawful Alien

Page 31: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

How to Claim it:  For more information, please visit: www.childcare.gov www.childcareaware.org nccic.acf.hhs.gov

1-800-424-2246

Page 32: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

• Helps cover child care or caregiver expenses

• Maximum expenses that can be claimed:– $3,000 for one dependent, $6,000 for two or more

• Credit amount = 20 - 35% of expenses – depending on income

• In a few states the credit is refundable

Page 33: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For families with annual income under:

• $110,000 for married couples

• $75,000 for single or head of household

• $55,000 married filing separately

$1000 for every “qualifying child”

Page 34: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Filers must have children

Each child claimed must count as a “qualifying child”

Immigrant applicants and children musthave a valid ITIN

Page 35: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Proof of identity Proof of address Social Security numbers or Individual Tax Identification Numbers

(ITIN) Proof of the amount of all earned and unearned income before

taxes or deductions Household composition Proof of housing and utility costs

Proof of immigration status for non-citizens (for some programs) Proof of child support and child care payments Proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses if you are age 60 or older or receive federal disability benefits

Page 36: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Home and Family Supports

Outreach

Page 37: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Outreach:First Steps

What outreach works best for your organization?

• Communication methods• Existing programs• What worked in the past• Special Considerations

Self-Assessment:

Page 38: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Outreach: You Don’t Have to be an Expert

You do NOT have to be an expert to help families claim their benefits. You have two jobs:

1. Raise Awareness

2. Connect them with the Experts and Enrollment Specialists

Page 39: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For Employers/HR: How toRaise Awareness Include fliers with paychecks/stubs or when

distributing W-2s

Put up posters in the break room or bathrooms

Talk about programs during staff meetings

Offer to do one-on-one conversations about supports, when talking about other benefits

Bring in a VITA volunteer counselor or other agency representative for an information or enrollment session

Page 40: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For Providers: How toRaise Awareness Mail out info

Put up posters throughout the site

Talk about supports, provide enrollment assistance, refer clients to enrollment single-stop sites

Piggyback on existing programs

Bring in an enrollment counselor for an information or enrollment session

Become a single stop site or join a community outreach campaign

Page 41: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For Employers and Providers: How to raise awareness

7 is the MAGIC number.

Page 42: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For Coalition-builders: How to Raise Awareness Distribute info and

direct workers/ clients to free enrollment sites

Conduct outreach events and create opportunities to provide enrollment services

Get in position to enrich and sustain outreach efforts in the future

Engage others in reaching out through their own networks

Expand and improve enrollment services

Page 43: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For Coalition-builders: How to Raise Awareness

PARTNERSHIPS

Page 44: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

How to Talk About Income Supports Talking points to emphasize:

It’s for working families

They earned it – they should get it!

The financial crisis

It’s a simple process

It’s money for healthy food, medical care, and more

Use Language That’s Positive and Empowering.

Page 45: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Workplace Outreach:Use Existing Resources

Access Information Online:

- www.govbenefits.gov

- State and city gov pages

- Bridging the Gap

Page 46: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Workplace Outreach:Use Existing Resources

- 211

- www.Insurekidsnow.gov

1-877-Kids-Now

- www.ncat.org

Use Referral and Info Services:

Page 47: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Workplace Outreach:Use Existing Resources Connect with Enrollment Specialists:

Page 48: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

Stay Tuned:Upcoming Webinars!

Tuesday, December 13th, 1-2:30 EST – Money that Matters: Tax Credits for Working Families

Page 49: Bridging the Gap  Training Series, Winter 2011 Hillary Lazar, Program Director, NHSA

For more information about benefit outreach or the Bridging the Gap Initiative please contact:

Hillary Lazar, Program Director – NHSA202-347-2080 x15 • Ph 202-393-4517 Fax

[email protected]

LEARN MORE!