Self Sufficiency
The Self Sufficiency Program at SENDCAA is comprised of a variety of services all designed to improve the standard of living and help promote the self-sufficiency of low-income individuals.
Energy Share - Emergency Asistance helps Qualifying Households in paying their pasts due light bill in the even of financial crisis. Assistance is only prived when all other resources have been exhausted.
Click here to access the Energy Share Application and SFN 62.
Emergency Financial Assistance: SENDCAA offers a variety of emergency retal and utility assistance programs including Emergency Shelter Grant and Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Assistance can be provided on past due rent, first month’s rent, security deposit and utility bills. Funding is limited and not available all year round.
Click here to access the Emergency Financial Assistance Application.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program: This program distributes commodity foods to low income elderly households and families not eligible for WIC. The commodities are non-perishable food items that include fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, beans, pasta, etc. Participants receive one box and one bag of food every other month. To qualify individuals must be 60 years of age or older and be income eligible. Families with children up to 6 years of age who are not eligible for WIC may also qualify if their income falls within the guidelines.
Click here to access the Commodity Supplemental Food Program application.
Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA): February 1 to April 15, free income tax preparation is offered to low-income households. There is no cost for this service and taxes are filed electronically.
Indvidual Development Accounts (IDA) : Individual Development Accounts (IDA) allow participants an opportunity to acquire a lasting asset after saving for an extended period of time. The three eligible assets are college tuition, a first home, or small business capitalization.
These special matched savings accounts are designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular savings, and ultimately, purchase a lasting asset of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner. Such benefits include security, stability, and opportunities for increased income.
Participants are required to save for at least six months, although most save money over the course of a few years. At the end of the program every dollar deposited into the IDA by the participant is matched by a combination of federal and nonfederal funds at a rate of 2:1. At SENDCAA participants are able to save up to $2,000 for a match of $4,000. This means if the maximum amount is saved, the participant earns $6,000 to use for purchase of an asset.
Throughout the savings period participants are required to make a monthly deposit into their IDA and the contribution must come from earned income. Participants are also required to complete financial literacy training, which is a critical component as it teaches skills such as: creating and following a budget, owning and managing a bank account or credit card, credit counseling and credit repair, and guidance on refundable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Additionally, participants are required to attend asset-specific training. This training is focused on the participant’s asset that they intend to purchase upon the completion of their IDA savings.
For more information and to inquire about availability please contact SENDCAA.
Classes: The Self-Sufficiency staff are also available to provide classes on budgeting. Our Financial Literacy Course has been know to be very effective in teaching budgeting skills.
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