Financial Stability

United Way’s financial stability work begins with tools and strategies that help families increase and maximize their income in order to meet daily expenses. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the most effective federal aid program for low- to moderate-income workers. For many eligible families, the EITC can increase their annual income by as much as 15 percent.

United Way of Dutchess County can help prevent more families from falling into poverty by increasing income at tax time. We will focus on those most at risk for falling into poverty. People most at risk of falling into poverty are those with a household income of between 100% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) who are not eligible for some or all state or federally funded programs and who do not regularly have at least $300 saved for emergencies.

Measurable Impact

• The United Way funded three-county (Dutchess, Ulster, Orange) CA$H Coalition created almost $4,000,000 in impact in the local community - half of this in Dutchess County - through free preparation of 1,882 tax returns.
• Your Community Fund dollars were leveraged to bring funding from corporate and state entities which completely funded the expense of our EITC tax initiative.
• The number of people accessing our free tax preparation service doubled in the last year.

Keep the money you earned this tax season!

Dial 2-1-1 for a appointment today! Call 2-1-1 or 1 (800) 899-1479
Click here for more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit.