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Email Part of the Community Service Society’s Urban Agenda is to promote policies and programs that advance the economic security of the working poor. Recognizing that access to public benefits and financial education are crucial for low-income New Yorkers to effectively manage their money and gain financial stability, CSS has created special projects that build awareness and expand access to public benefits and financial education. Highly trained volunteers are placed in community agencies to support low-income individuals and families through public benefit counseling, free tax preparation and ongoing financial coaching.
The need for these programs is great as nearly $2 billion in state and federal money that is set aside for poor New Yorkers goes unclaimed due to individuals not being aware of their eligibility and because of barriers to applying – especially for full-time workers and low-literacy populations. CSS believes that the alleviation of key hardships is the first step toward helping families get on a pathway out of poverty, and that access to existing public benefit programs combined with financial education can significantly move people from poverty to financial stability. The following three programs draw on CSS’s successful programming experience and expertise in training and working with older adult volunteers (55+), especially those of diverse backgrounds who serve as trusted resources.
The Advocacy, Counseling and Entitlement Services (ACES) Project helps low-income New Yorkers receive needed public benefits and services. Volunteers receive training in Medicaid, Food Stamps, SSI, Public Assistance, housing, and many other government benefit programs. After successfully completing the training course, ACES volunteers work in hospitals and community-based agencies throughout New York City, where they provide information and referrals, screen for eligibility for public benefits, advocate for clients when they run into problems, and help people fill out applications. In 2007, over 7,000 individuals received information and advocacy on 9,000 public benefit related issues.
In addition, CSS works in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to train volunteers through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) another resource that supports those with low-income to ensure that they have the opportunity for free tax preparation and access to tax credits if eligible.
In 2008, RSVP launched a new initiative, the Financial Coaching Corps, which is designed to build the financial capabilities of low-wage individuals, families, and young adults throughout New York City. Recent subprime loan scandals targeting poor communities are in fact prime testimony to the need for education programs that help low-income residents understand money management. The findings of CSS’s most recent Unheard Third survey indicate that 43 percent of low-income respondents use non-banking financial services such as check-cashing stores and payday loans at least once a month. To support those in need of money management skills, volunteers are trained to serve as financial coaches. The coaches work one-on-one with individuals, guiding them in self-selected areas of financial literacy including: creating a budget and setting financial goals; organizing and prioritizing bills; obtaining and reviewing credit reports; screening for public benefits and tax credits; and opening a bank account and avoiding fringe banking services. The volunteers work with individuals on an ongoing basis providing education and support with the goal of improving the clients’ financial health and stability.
Rebecca Haase
Project Director, Advocacy, Counseling and Entitlement Services (ACES) ProjectRetired and Senior Volunteer Program
Voluntary Initiatives
212.614.5482
rhaase@cssny.org