Maximizing Economic Impact Payments through Community Engagement
This guide empowers EIP referrers to assist low-income non-filers in accessing Economic Impact Payments by providing background information, steps to engage community partners, scripts for warm referrals, and additional resources. It highlights the urgency for eligible individuals to file by November 21st, reaching out to specific demographics at risk of missing out. By leveraging existing networks and resources, referrers play a crucial role in ensuring that those in need receive the financial assistance they are entitled to.
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Economic Impact Payments (EIP)
Economic Impact Payment (EIP) Referrer Guide Congratulations on being named (or choosing to be) an EIP referrer! Your work will help low-income non-filers receive payments they are eligible for. This guide provides background on EIPs, outlines steps to find a community partner, how to approach warm referrals, worker scripts, and has a list of additional resources to help you help others.
Who is Missing Out? About 12 million Americans risk missing out on Economic Impact Payments sometimes called stimulus checks provided through the recent CARES Act. They, unlike millions of people who are receiving the payments automatically from the IRS, must file a form by November 21st to receive it this year. Together they represent $12 billion in payments that can stimulate state and local economies.
Reaching Non-Filers The target population includes very low- income and individuals and families - 9 million of whom likely participate in TANF, SNAP, and/or Medicaid. Of the 9 million: 3.2 million are under age 17 40% are adults without minor children (many under 25 as well as those between 50-65) Many are likely people without secure housing
Who Automatically Receives an EIP Check? Those who filed taxes in 2018 or 2019 Recipients of: o Social Security o SSI o Disability o Veteran s Pension o Railroad Retirement
Filing Deadline Eligible individuals have until November 21 to file for their EIP to receive payment this year.
Why You? Youhave the access and power to help individuals who get SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF receive their stimulus checks. The payments can help your local economy in an uncertain time.
Who Should You Look For? Very low-income individuals All recipients of federal and state cash assistance programs Individuals without secured housing (homeless) People who are chronically unemployed Low-income adults without minor children / ABAWDs Children 17 and under
Finding Community Partners
Who to Contact Plan to pick up the phone to make some calls to find community partners that are helping people get their stimulus checks. Here are 4 places to start. 1. Nonprofit Pillars Start by contacting your local United Way, Community Action Agency, and Catholic Charities. Think about other organizations that are go to agencies in your area. 2. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites These programs offer free, high quality tax preparation from IRS- certified volunteers. While many sites closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some sites offer virtual services or limited in-person help. Look up VITA sites in your area and call to lean what help they provide.
Who to Contact 3. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) These programs assist and legally represent lower-income taxpayers who are in disputes with the IRS. Generally, LITCs don t offer free tax help. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some are helping people to file 2019 tax returns and may know of other resources. Identify the LITC that serve your area using this map. 4. H&R Block The H&R Block website allows people to submit their information for EIPs for free. The chain has a national policy that offices are to extend this practice to in-person help to get the payments, however there isn t a process to enforce this. If the above groups aren t offering help in your area, contact the local H&R Block offices in your area. If needed, reach out to other paid tax preparers about their policies for in-person help.
Questions to Ask Potential Community Partners Do you provide free help with the IRS non-filer form for Economic Impact Payments? If no: What are local sources for free help with the IRS Non-filer form? Are there any eligibility requirements to use your free tax preparation services? How do people make an appointment? What is the phone number people can call for questions? What are your hours of operation? Is there anything else people need to know before contacting you? Is the information you ve shared available on a website? What is your name?
Warm Referrals Once you ve found a community partner who has agreed to provide assistance to clients with the non-filer form, a communication protocol should be established. Options could include: Including the community partner as a cc in your e-mail to the client An e-mail notification to the community partner when a client requests assistance A voicemail notification to the community partner when a client requests assistance Remember to be flexible. If the partner asks all clients, how did you learn about us? they may not feel the need to arrange a formal process.
Worker Scripts for EIP Referrers Boilerplate language has been developed to make your job easier, including: E-mail SMS Voicemail You can find the scripts at: https://www.cbpp.org/stimulus-payments- outreach-research. Scroll toward the bottom of the page to Caseworker Scripts to Referrers to download a Word copy. Worker FAQs can be found in the same location (above the scripts).
Resources Free File Fillable Forms FAQs https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/eip.faqs Provides more guidance if your client needs help with the Non-filer form United Way s 211 Economic Impact Payment Helpline 1-844-322-3639 Operates 24/7 with live agents available 8 am 8 pm ET M-F through November 21, 2020. Refer clients to for help filing out the form in addition to (or instead of) referring to your community partner. IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center IRS tool to check the status of payment delivery https://www.irs.gov/getmypayment Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site locator https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ Some sites may offer help for non-filers to sign up for their EIPs. IRS EIP Hotline 1-800-919-9835
Free Webmail Account Set-Up 1. Visit one of the sites below for the webmail provider your client wants to use. 2. Enter their name, the username they d like (if the username is already taken, some sites will offer alternatives), create a password, enter required information (e.g. phone number, birthdate, gender, etc.) have client review terms and agree or decline. oGoogle: https://accounts.google.com/signup oYahoo!: https://login.yahoo.com/account/create oMail: https://signup.mail.com oAOL: https://www.aol.com/ - then click Login/Join, then click Sign Up at bottom of screen.
Opening Free Online Bank Accounts Visit https://covidbanking.joinbankon.org Learn the process and requirements to safely open an online account. Choose from accounts offered by financial institutions that meet national standards.
Thank You! Thank you for doing your part in helping low- income individuals access the stimulus payments for which they are eligible. And for all the work you do every day to provide valuable benefits and resources to people in need!
