West Central Connecticut

Not sure how to provide for your family’s needs?

We can help!

Financial StabilityResource Guide

The United Way of West Central Connecticut serves the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth/Terryville.

Our Vision: To advance the common good by creating lasting changes to improve lives in our communities.

Our Mission: We will unite our communities to create opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on education, income and health.

These days, we find the residents of our communities are struggling most with our Income Building Block - becoming financially stable and independent. Whether it’s struggling to find or keep a job, not having enough money to keep food on the table and a roof over your head, or not being able to provide for your family’s growing needs, we know things are tough.

That’s where this Resource Guide comes in! We hope that by gathering all of the information on the resources we have available, we can help you to get back on the path to financial stability.

We know you just want to help your family... and we do too. So look through this guide at what we can offer to aid you in this journey. And then contact our office below to get started today.

Stay well!

Donna OsuchPresident & CPO

Contact Us:United Way of West Central Connecticut

200 Main StreetBristol, CT 06010

Phone: (860) 582-9559Fax: (860) 582-6561

Stay Updated on Our Programs & Initiatives:uwwestcentralct.org

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CHANGE YOUR

FAMILY’S FINANCIAL FUTURE

United Way of West Central Connecticut’s free Financial Coaching Program can help you get control of your finances!

We will match you with a trained volunteer who will help you develop a better understanding of your financial situation. In one-on-one sessions with your coach, you will learn how to effectively manage your income, spending, debt and savings. Your financial coach will not budget your money for you, but will coach you through the process of doing it yourself. This way, the spending plan you create will fit your personal wants, needs and goals.

Creating a realistic spending plan is never easy. It requires a degree of self-discipline and sacrifice in the short-term, in order to reach your long-term financial goals. However, this process can be easier when you have someone knowledgeable, with your best interests at heart, helping you along the way.

Call United Way to set up your intake appointment today!

Financial Coaching Program

Your spouse, if married filing jointly

Picture ID for you and your spouse

Social Security cards and birth dates for you, your spouse, and children you are claiming

W-2 forms for all jobs held during the tax year

1099 forms, such as 1099G, 1099Misc, 1099Int

Any letter or notice you received from the IRS

Copy of last year’s Federal and State returns

A blank, voided check or bank routing and account numbers (if you want your refund directly deposited)

If you paid for child care - documentation listing provider name, address, tax ID#, and amount paid

If you, your spouse, or a child attended college - tuition expense statement (1098T) and/or student loan interest statement (1098E)

Home interest and property taxes paid

Documentation of alimony and child support

Social Security benefits statement

Unemployment benefits verification

If you are itemizing, bring documentation of out-of-pocket medical expenses and charitable contributions

How to get your taxes done for freeUnited Way of West Central Connecticut hosts a free tax preparation site serving

individuals from Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth/Terryville throughout the tax season each year.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides low- to moderate-income workers and families with free tax preparation and filing.

All volunteers at these VITA sites are IRS-certified and ready to help prepare your tax return and get you all the money due to you!

If your household income is under $50,000, then you are eligible to have your taxes done at our VITA site for FREE. Appointments are required, so call (860) 612-3983!

Checklist to bring to your appointment:

Ways to $ave at Tax Time

Here are ways to avoid the “Rapid Refund Rip-Off”:

E-File with Direct Deposit - File your tax return electronically (e-file) to speed up your refund. Tell the IRS to deposit the refund directly into your bank account - you can provide your account number right on your tax return. You can get a refund in about 10 days this way - without paying one extra cent to those “instant refund” scams, which are actually loans where you borrow against your own refund by paying triple-digit interest rates! Our VITA site e-files to ensure your fast refund. *If you owe money, you don’t have to pay until April 15th - so get your taxes done early to plan ahead!

Get a bank account - If you don’t have a bank account, open one up to take advantage of direct deposit. You can use a checking or savings account to receive your tax refund... and maybe save some of it for a down payment on a house or a car, or to start saving for retirement.

Wait just a bit longer - Do you really have to get cash from your tax refund today? Can you wait a few weeks to save hundreds of dollars? If you have an urgent bill to pay, ask for more time until the tax refund check comes from the IRS. Don’t take on a new expensive loan to pay an old bill.

Avoid check cashers - Check cashers charge an extra fee to cash tax refund and RAL (refund anticipation loan) checks. So you would have to pay the charges for the loan, tax preparation fees, and the extra fees, just to get your money! A smarter move is to use a bank account.

Best Way to Save $ = Use a VITA SiteCall (860) 612-3983 today to see if you are eligible

to have your taxes done for free!

Connecticut Money School (CMS) provides free financial education for adults and seniors. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to become financially stable and successful. One way to achieve financial stability and success is through a better understanding of how to manage your money and your assets.

Mark your calendars for our upcoming free classes:

- September 24, 2013 – BudgetingWith a budget, your choices are prioritized to help you stay on track and follow the plan. This is the single most important activity that can help you reach your destination.

- November 12, 2013 – Debt ManagementKnow the warning signs of a credit crisis to avoid overwhelming debt. If you have already been derailed by debt, there are several options available to repay creditors and bypass the debt detour.

- March 25, 2014 – Using Credit WiselyOne of the essential tools that can help you reach your financial goals is your credit management.

- May 20, 2014 – InsuranceThe new insurance laws and requirements can be confusing but this is so important for you and your family to understand.

All classes are held from 6:00-7:30pm at theUnited Way office, 200 Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010

Seats are limited, so register today! Call our office at (860) 582-9559 or log onto www.uwwestcentralct.org/financial-education-classes and

click on the class you would like to attend. Light refreshments are served at each class.

Stop & Shop gift cards will be given to attendees. Childcare is available - must register your child in advance with our office.

Financial Education Classes

FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card

This free FamilyWize prescription drug discount card saves up to 75% on the cost of prescription drugs for people with no insurance and for medicine not covered by an insurance plan or Medicare. Average savings are 35% or about $20 per prescription.Anyone can use this free program - you don’t have to apply, qualify or wait for a card to come in the mail. Cut out the card below and use it anytime you need it. And it’s valid for your whole family.

• Covers all prescription drugs• Accepted at most pharmacies nationwide • No enrollment, activation or fees• No age or income restrictions• Photocopies accepted. May be photocopied for family, friends and co-workers.

2-1-1 is Connecticut’s free information and referral service. Simply by dialing 2-1-1, a toll-free number throughout Connecticut, callers can reach knowledgeable, multilingual staff and get information, referrals or seek help in a crisis. 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

When you’re looking for:Basic Needs - Food, Clothing, Shelter

Child CareConsumer Help

CounselingCrisis InterventionDisability Services

Drug/Alcohol ProgramsEnergy Assistance

Health CareJob Training

Legal AssistanceLiteracy Classes

Parenting ProgramsSenior ServicesSummer CampsSupport GroupsTransportation

Veteran’s ServicesVolunteering

Voting Informationand much more

Need Information?Have a Problem?

Don’t know where to turn?

DIAL

United Way’s 2-1-1 NAVIGATOR is an online survey that tells you the state and federal financial assistance programs you may qualify for.

It’s QUICK, EASY and ANONYMOUS. You never enter your name or any other identifying information.

How do you use it?

1. Go to: http://navigator.211ct.org2. Answer a few simple questions3. Find out the programs you may qualify for and how to apply for them

2-1-1 Navigator was developed and is maintained by the United Way of Connecticut.

2-1-1 is supported by Connecticut United Ways and the State of Connecticut.

Other Resources:Community Programs Funded by United Way

United Way supports many community programs that align with our work under Education, Income and Health. Here are a few that might help struggling families.

For the full list of our partners, please see our website.

General Social Service Issues Bristol Community Organization55 South Street, Bristol (860-584-2725)BCO provides energy assistance, employment opportunities, housing placement, job training and social service referrals (including for childcare, health, food, furniture and clothing).

Food Pantries/Soup KitchensPlainville Community Food Pantry (860-747-1919)54 South Canal Street, PlainvilleThis organization provides food, energy assistance, clothing, crisis intervention and referral services to Plainville residents in need. All individuals and families must complete an application and provide the documents on the Requirements list before the pantry can assist them. Please call the pantry for more details.

Plymouth Community Food Pantry (860-584-1750)20 Dewey Avenue, TerryvilleThis organization provides food and referrals to Plymouth/Terryville residents in need. The pantry is open to clients on Mondays and Fridays from 10:00am-12:00pm and on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:00-7:00pm. A home-delivery program is also available for home-bound residents.

Salvation Army (860-583-4651)19 Stearns Street, BristolThe Salvation Army provides services that meet basic human needs, such as food and clothing. Their soup kitchen is open Monday through Friday 11:30am-12:45pm for a lunch-time meal. Their pantry is available by appointment Monday through Friday 9:00am-2:00pm. They also have a separate bread program available Monday through Wednesday from 1:30-2:00pm

Homeless ShelterSt. Vincent DePaul Mission of Bristol (860-589-9098)19 Jacobs Street, BristolThis local shelter provides a place to stay (along with food, bathroom, shower, laundry, and safe sleeping facilities) for homeless individuals or families. They also provide case management services aimed at overcoming barriers to independent living.

Legal Aid:CT Legal Services (800-453-3320)62 Washington Street, MiddletownCLS provides free civil law representation and counseling to help low-income individuals and families obtain just legal solutions to serious life problems. Some of the areas of law that they provide help with include: domestic violence, custody/visitation, immigration remedies, the rights of disabled children and adults, disability benefits conflicts, elderly issues, access to health services and Medicaid, unemployment compensation, government assistance programs, and housing rights issues. Apply online for help at: http://apply.slsct.org/

Help with LiteracyLiteracy Volunteers of Central CT ((860-229-7323)20 High Street, New BritainTutors are available to low-literacy adults in reading, writing, math and/or English literacy to help them reach their work, family and community goals. Family literacy classes are also provided to teach low-literate parents how to support their children’s success in school.

State & Federal Resources

Download “Programs That Help People in Connecticut” from this website: www.cahs.org/publications-resources.asp.

You’ll find information on the following topics:

The Basics:Food

Cash AssistanceHousing

Energy Assistance

Self-Sufficiency: Jobs

Adult EducationMoney Management

Homeownership

Health Care: Insurance

ClinicsChildren, Youth, and Motherhood

Mental Health and AddictionAIDS

Specialized Health Services

Families and Children: Child Care

Support Services

Multi-service Agencies

Special Populations:Elderly

Disabled Veterans LGBTQ

Foreign Born

Know Your Rights:Workers’ Rights

Denial of Benefits or ServicesLegal Advice and Representation

Resources for Plymouth/Terryville Residents

Town of Plymouth Human Services:80 Main Street, Terryville(860) 585-4028

Call for information about resources that are available including: - CHOICES Counseling (Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening) - Open to anyone with questions about Medicare, supplemental and Medigap, Part D, Medicaid, etc. - Medicare Savings Program - Pays Part B Premium and helps with co-pays and prescriptions. - Operation Fuel and Plymouth Fuel Bank - Provides emergency energy assistance. Can help with preventing utility shut-offs and emergency oil deliveries. - SNAP (Food Stamps) - provides financial assistance for food purchasing. - State Insurance Plans - HUSKY (Children)/Charter Oak; Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled; Medicaid for Low-Income Adults; Medicaid for the Working Disabled; Homecare Waiver Program. - WIC - Food vouchers available for pregnant women, infants and children. - And information about other resources available to Plymouth/Terryville residents.

Other Resources:

- Health & Wellness:Torrington Area Health District350 Main Street, Suite A, Torrington(860) 489-0436Full-service local public health agency.

Community Health Center of Bristol Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington395 N. Main Street, Bristol 469 Migeon Avenue, Torrington(860) 585-5000 (860) 489-0931Offers comprehensive primary medical for adults and children, sick and urgent care, well child care and immunizations, physical exams, gynecological care including family planning, breast and cervical cancer early detection, nutrition counseling, eligibility and application assistance for public insurance programs, and dental hygiene services.

- Housing:Plymouth Housing Authority31 Gosinski Park, Terryville(860) 584-9355Low-income housing for the elderly or handicapped. Rent is dependent on income.

- Transportation:Town of Plymouth/Cooks Dial-A-Ride(860) 283-0060Provides transportation to the town’s senior citizens and handicapped residents. The following is the schedule for this service: Monday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m; Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m; Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

West Central Connecticut200 Main Street

Bristol, CT 06010(860) 582-9559

www.uwwestcentralct.org