Contact: Bo Young Cho, 703-354-6345 (X111) / Suran Shin, 240-683-6663 /Daehyeon Choi, 301-927-1601
KCSC is funded by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to serve eligible Medicare beneficiaries, which include 65+ seniors and adults, aged 21-64, who are living with disabilities. Eligibility is based on the individual’s income and resource guidelines. This program’s goal is to help Medicare beneficiaries enroll into at least one of five “core benefits”, including: Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy – LIS); Medicare Savings Programs (MSP); Medicaid; SNAP; and/or LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).
For this program, KCSC has partnered with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) and the Association for Vietnamese Americans (AVA) enabling KCSC’s BEC to serve provide bilingual and bicultural services to Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese Medicare beneficiaries.
Contact: Bo Young Cho, 703-354-6345 (X111) / Suran Shin, 240-683-6663
‘Ca$h for $ucce$$’ is KCSC’s Assets for Independence (AFI) program. AFI is a federally funded program that allows participants to save earned income in special matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Ca$h for $ucce$$ demonstrates and supports an assets-based approach for increasing the economic self-sufficiency of low-income individuals and families (see income eligibility chart, below). This project helps participants to learn about and use sound budgeting and money management practices, to address their financial issues, and to achieve long-term success.
Eligibility:
1. Members of households eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program when they apply for enrollment in an AFI project; or
2. Persons who meet both of the following criteria:
• Their household adjusted gross income is equal to or less than twice the federal poverty line (200%) or within federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) limits; and
• Their household net worth (excluding primary residence and one vehicle) does not exceed $10,000 at the end of the last calendar year before the enrollment determination.
Poverty Level: Less than 200%
Program Guidelines:
1. Qualified participants open special savings accounts known as Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) where they deposit up to $500/participant in savings from money they earn from working.
2. Every dollar that a participant deposits is then matched 1:8 with a combination of federal dollars (up to $2,000) and private dollars (up to $2,000). With just $500 in personal savings, the participant will complete the program with a total of $4,500 in their savings account.
3. These combined assets can be used either to expand a small business or to enroll in postsecondary education or specific skills-building training.
4. Participants have up to 12 months to achieve their savings goals and until May 31, 2016 to spend their saved funds.
Matched Funds may be used either for:
1. Enrolling in postsecondary education or training or the purchase of necessary equipment or supplies, from an eligible educational institution, or
2. Expanding a small business (buying/replacing equipment/devices/system, etc.) with an approved business plan.
Requirements to use the IDA funds:
1. Taking the financial literacy classes offered by KCSC or similar classes such as the ‘FDIC-Money Smart Modules’.
2. Taking an asset related seminar/class such as a small business management class or a college financial aid-related seminar.
3. Money can be withdrawn from the IDA savings account when it has been open for at least six consecutive months and the participant has met the training requirements.
4. Checks must be made payable to a third-party vendor, or in the case of a small business, to the IDA holder’s small business bank account.
Contact : Kelly Cho, 703-354-6345 (x 127)
Contact : Jai Hoon Jung, 703-354-6345 (x 102) or Kelly Cho, 703-354-6345 (x 127)
KCSC offers immigration counseling services to Korean immigrants in the Greater Washington area, including:
Assistance in filing immigration documents
· Citizenship test preparation classes
· Citizenship test preparation study booklet & CD
· Interpretation and translation service for citizenship test
and permanent resident card interview
· Public notarization
Contact: Kelly Cho, 703-354-6345 (x127)
Calling all community members! We need your help for the 2016 tax season to assist low to moderate income taxpayers!
We need all kinds of volunteers but KCSC is working to especially recruit bilingual volunteers for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. All volunteers will receive training to serve in various roles, such as:
• Tax Counselor
• Client Facilitator
• Support Facilitator
• Technology coordinator
And lack of experience shouldn’t stop anyone from volunteering! We are currently recruiting volunteers and especially need individuals who are fluent in English and either Korean, Mandarin, or Cantonese. Prospective bilingual volunteers do not need previous experience as tax accountants. If you are interested in volunteering as a tax preparer, you will receive IRS-certified training. You will learn how to prepare tax returns for low- to moderate- income taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 and older, and ensure they receive applicable tax credits and deductions.
Who can volunteer?
• Students seeking to develop skills and community service experience
• Community service providers to build their professional resumes
• Professionals in need of continuing education credits
• People seeking to stay engaged with the community
• People like you!
To sign up to volunteer, visit aarpfoundation.org/s-kcscgw2015.
Sign up by September 30th, 2015.
There really is a role for everyone!
For more information on how you can help in your community as a Tax-Aide volunteer, contact: Daehyeon Choi, 240-683-6663
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is one of the most effective community-based volunteer programs in the nation. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.