NEW CASTLE (March 7, 2019) – The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is urging working individuals and families in Delaware to meet with volunteer tax preparers at locations across the state to determine if they are eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and to file a federal tax return by April 15 if they are.

In January, DHSS sent out notices to clients who might be eligible for the EITC, the single largest check that many working families receive each year. To be eligible, an individual or couple must have earned income from a job and meet other requirements. Income can come from salaries, wages, tips, commissions, royalties, self-employment net earnings, jury duty pay, union strike benefits, non-taxable combat pay or long-term disability benefits before the minimum retirement age.

“For thousands of working families and their children in Delaware, the Earned Income Tax Credit is a proven benefit, lifting many families out of poverty,” said DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “We urge individuals and families to meet with tax preparers across the state to help determine if they are eligible for this important tax credit and to file their tax returns.”

To qualify for EITC, for example, a single parent of two qualifying children must have earned income and adjusted gross income of less than $45,802 in 2018. For a married couple filing jointly with two qualifying children, the limit is less than $51,492. Other income requirements:
• A single parent with three or more children: $49,194 ($54,884 if married and filing jointly)
• A single parent with one child: $40,320 ($46,010 if married and filing jointly)
• Single, with no children: $15,270 ($20,950 if married and filing jointly)

The refundable tax credit means that tax filers are likely to get back more from the federal government than they pay in taxes, so they are in line for a significant refund. In Delaware last year, about 71,000 eligible workers and families received about $171 million through the Earned Income Tax Credit, with an average credit of $2,401. In the U.S., about 25 million eligible workers and families received about $63 billion through the EITC last year, with an average credit of $2,488.

“It is important to DHSS and our community partners to increase the number of Delaware working families who know about the Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as the number who apply for it,” said Ray Fitzgerald, director of DHSS’ Division of Social Services. “This is money that can make a real difference in the lives of so many people in Delaware and enhance the lives of their children.”

The list of Delaware Tax and Financial Services Campaign Sites open through April 15:

•  Claymont Library (drop off only): 400 Lenape Way, Claymont; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Northeast State Service Center: 1624 Jessup St., Wilmington; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Woodlawn Library (Spanish speakers available): 2020 W. Ninth St., Wilmington; 3-8 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Route 9 Library and Innovation Center: 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday
• Hudson State Service Center: 501 Ogletown Road, Newark; Noon-8 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Williams State Service Center: 805 River Road, Dover; noon-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday
• Goodwill of Delaware-Milford: 694 N. DuPont Highway, Milford; 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
• First State Community Action Agency-Georgetown (Spanish speakers available): 308 N. Railroad Ave., Georgetown; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• Free Taxes-$tand By Me Delaware (online self-prepared returns only): myfreetaxesde.org/

Fitzgerald said individuals and couples who plan to go to tax preparation sites need to bring these documents with them:

• Driver’s license or another form of photo ID
• Social Security cards (for yourself, spouse, children and other dependents listed on the tax return)
• W-2s, 1095s, 1098s and 1099s
• List of other income/expenses (for possible itemized deductions)
• Child care information (provider’s EIN number, address and receipts for amounts paid)
• Bank account information for direct deposit
• Copy of last year’s return if available

A growing body of research has found that the EITC increases incentives to work, stabilizes income, is linked to improvement in maternal and infant health, leads to better performance by children in school, and increases work effort and earnings when children reach adulthood. The IRS estimates that 20 percent to 25 percent of qualifying workers do not receive the tax credit because they do not file a federal return to claim it.

In Delaware, volunteers are needed at tax sites. Those who are interested can go to www.nehemiahgateway.org to sign up.

DOVER, DE – Two of Delaware’s programs benefitting potential homebuyers received national recognition October 15 when they were honored with a 2018 Annual Award for Program Excellence during the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) annual conference.

The awards recognized the success of DSHA’s partnership with $tand By Me, which offers Pre-Purchase Financial Coaching for potential homebuyers, and the agency’s Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund, a community development program designed to assist potential homebuyers living in blighted communities throughout the state.

“We are honored to receive these awards on behalf of our partners and the many Delawareans who have benefitted from these programs, and we are proud to be recognized for the innovative work we are doing,” said Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi. “Both the financial coaching program and the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund are helping individuals and families throughout the state realize their dreams of becoming homeowners.”

DSHA was one of 40 housing finance agencies across the country to submit entries in the 2018 awards program. NCSHA judges evaluate each entry for its level of innovation, replicability, measurable benefit to housing agency customers, effective use of resources and achievement of strategic objectives, among other criteria. The judges are affordable housing industry leaders and subject matter experts selected for their relevant expertise, experience, and impartiality.

“These award-winning initiatives reflect the creativity and commitment that state housing finance agencies across the country are bringing to solve their states’ and the nation’s affordable housing challenges,” said Stockton Williams, executive director of NCSHA. “They demonstrate that progress is possible through pragmatic approaches focused on results.”

Potential homebuyers who participate in DSHA’s Pre-Purchase Financial Coaching program with $tand By Me are offered support to address topics like improving their credit, reducing debt, and building savings to better prepare them for purchasing a home. Since its creation in early 2016, the financial coaching program has served more than 1,100 clients, and more than 30 percent of those clients have either purchased a home, are under contract for a home or have been pre-approved thanks to the financial coaching they have received through DSHA. Before this program was created, clients would often be charged a significant amount of money for similar financial coaching programs, and many would get discouraged and give up before purchasing a home.

“We are very excited about this recognition for DSHA, because it validates a great partnership that enables $tand By Me to support aspiring homeowners as they work diligently, for months or even years, towards their dream of home ownership,” said Mary Dupont, director of financial empowerment at $tand By Me. “Through this work, we have learned first-hand that becoming a home owner is a powerful motivating force that makes the impossible possible, especially when paired with financial coaching.”

DSHA’s Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund puts money directly into neighborhoods experiencing high crime, low homeownership rates, and large numbers of vacant, abandoned or foreclosed properties. Through the program, properties are removed, renovated or replaced and sold to low-income residents who then become homeowners and stakeholders in their communities. This locally-driven, block-by-block approach to community development and new home production is taking place in communities throughout Delaware including in Wilmington, New Castle County, Dover, Milford and Laurel.

DSHA’s partner organization, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, is using the program to improve neighborhoods throughout Kent County.

“The Strong Neighborhood Housing Fund has allowed Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity to partner with NCALL in a focused strategy to improve home-ownership rates. Over a two year period, our collective efforts will place more than 30 families into affordable homes in Kent County,” said Dan Simpson, executive director of Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity. “The support we receive from DSHA has allowed our organization to expand its impact and to provide strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable home-ownership.”

The Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund was initially funded using one-time bank settlement dollars and is now funded with a $3 million allocation in the FY 2019 state bond bill. This funding has provided resources to remove, renovate, or replace at least 200 blighted properties throughout the state.

About the National Council of State Housing Agencies
The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created by the nation’s state housing finance agencies. The NCSHA Annual Awards for Program Excellence were established in 1984 to identify and elevate industry best practices and encourage continued HFA innovation.

About the Delaware State Housing Authority
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it is also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit DEStateHousing.com.