1. The Michigan State. University Extension. Earned Income Tax Credit
The Michigan State University Extension Earned Income Tax Credit Statewide Learning Demonstration Initiative
9/20/2018

2. Introduction
Share a strategy for delivering income support through partnerships focused on building financial security of low wage earners
Spark dialogue among participants on such a strategy
I am Susan Cocciarelli, CED Specialist with MSUE and MSU CUA; also the Project Director and Supervisor of the VISTA support component
9/20/2018

3. Topics of Discussion Asset development through income supports
EITC: Methods for achieving these income supports
Methods for growing income support
9/20/2018

4. Topic One Asset development through income supports
Access to and use of good financial information and good financial services (not just availability)
Incentives to continue earning an income and saving a portion to get ahead
Support or affordable mechanisms that allow you to keep what you earn
9/20/2018

5. Topic Two EITC: Methods for achieving these income supports
Setting up sites
Advertising to the right population
Ensuring that tax preparation assistance is trained to file for all credits
Maintaining a competitive edge with for-profit tax prep. services
9/20/2018

6. Topic Three Methods for growing income support
Connect with affordable financial services before filing
Integrate financial education and tax filing into job readiness activity
Explore existing public mechanisms which encourage savings and even have match incentives – and encourage low wage earners to participate
9/20/2018

7. Real Life Capitol Area Michigan Works!
Lessons learned so far...
Michigan Education Savings Program
Example of an incentive based education savings program
MSU-E EITC Learning Demonstration Initiative
Combining EITC sites with opportunities for savings mobilization
9/20/2018

8. Capitol Area Michigan Works- EITC Pilot
Strengths:
Have existing credit union staff on site
Have target population for EITC
Has motivational approach
Has the technology
Have the organizational capacity
Areas for improvement:
Scheduling and site management
Recruiting low wage earners vs TANF eligible
Planning ahead of time
9/20/2018

9. What This Means
Focus on efficient and proven ways that allow people to earn money, keep it, and save it to create buffer from economic downturn
Great policy discussions about the use of public funds as investment vehicles for low wage earners ... and extent to which it maintains stability of employment
9/20/2018

10. Next Steps
What are your thoughts about how this might fit into what you are doing?
Are people interested in following up through on-going conversation beyond this conference?
9/20/2018