Financial & Tax Resources

• My Free Taxes – Anyone with a simple return can file their taxes for free through My Free Taxes. More complicated returns can be filed for an additional fee.

• Tax Information in 20 Languages
• IRS Tax Tips
• Why Use an IRS Certified Tax Preparation Site?
• Low Income Taxpayer Clinics
• Tax Identity Theft
• Save Your Refund, Enter to Win Prizes

https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions
Most income tax materials can be downloaded using the form and publication search on this Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.

https://whatcomcounty.us/3406/Exemptions-Tax-Relief
“Information from Whatcom County about
-tax relief programs for senior citizens and people with disabilities
-Limited Income Deferral – postpone payment of your property taxes or special assessment
-Destroyed Property – If your property is damaged or destroyed, you may be eligible for a reduction in your assessed value
-Home Improvement – Improvements to a single family residence may apply for a 3-year exemption from taxes on the value of the physical improvement”

https://dor.wa.gov/get-form-or-publication/publications-subject/tax-topics/disaster-relief-taxpayers

DOR will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their taxes on time due to a natural disaster.

• Filing extension for excise tax returns
• Late payment penalty waiver request

Businesses can request an extension or penalty waiver by sending a secure email in their My DOR account or by calling Revenue’s customer service staff at 360-705-6705, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Businesses in the impacted areas can also request:

• An application for credit for damaged timber for forest taxes.
• Rescheduling of a planned audit (contact the auditor).
• More time to file a business license or registration renewal (Call Business Licensing Service at 360-705-6741 or by email at BLS@dor.wa.gov).
• An extension of its expiring resellers permit (Call 360-705-6217 or by email at Reseller@dor.wa.gov).

Website: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/

Washington Connection offers a fast and easy way for families and individuals to apply for a variety of services such as Food, Cash, Child Care, Long-Term Care, and Medicare Savings Programs. Individuals that are age 65 or older, blind or disabled may also apply for medical assistance.
Benefits and Programs you can apply for: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/availablebenefits.go

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/3301/Veterans-Program

360-778-6050

If you’re a Whatcom County veteran, we can help you or your family access local, state, and federal benefits and services. You can receive assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for: Health care Compensation and Pension Housing and Home Loans Employment Education Childcare

https://www.homelessworkerstipend.com/

(855) 582-3973

The Homeless Service Worker Stipend Program offers economic relief for homeless service workers up to $4,000.

Who is eligible for the homeless service workers stipend?
If you are a homeless service worker with an immediate economic need and you are working for an organization that contracts with a Washington state city or county providing homeless services, you may qualify!

https://www.oppco.org/flare-registration/

FLARE is a FREE series of seven consecutive classes designed to increase adults’ knowledge on money habits, saving strategies, budget skills, credit, and landlord/tenant law.

Tuesdays, October 11-November 22, 2022 from 5:30-7:45. In-person at Opportunity Council, 625 Cornwall Ave. Dinner will be served. We are unable to provide childcare.

Contact Yarrow Greer at (360) 734-5121 ext. 1223 with any questions.

https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation

On Aug. 24, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a Student Debt Relief Plan that includes one-time student loan debt relief targeted to low- and middle-income families.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will provide up to $20,000 in debt relief to Federal Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt relief to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers with loans held by ED are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 (or $250,000 for households). More information available here.

https://www.futuresnw.org/
The path to higher education shouldn’t be a secret, so we make sure every student has the information and guidance they need to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. We achieve these goals through academic mentoring, family engagement, as well as through workshops such as QuickStart to College and Financial Literacy (FAFSA/WASFA) events.

North Sound ACH Care Coordination Referral Form: https://northsoundach.org/referral/
Address: 1204 Railroad Ave., Suite 200 Bellingham WA 98225
Phone: (360) 543-8858
E-mail: info@NorthSoundACH.org

North Sound ACH currently works with clinical and community organizations across five counties – Island, San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom. We partner across the state with other ACH regions, working to make Washington a place working to make the state a welcoming place for all.

Care Coordination Agencies:

• Compass Health
• San Juan County Health and Community Services
• SeaMar Community Health Centers

Call, email, or use submission form to indicate areas of need and North Sound ACH staff will connect you to the appropriate resource(s). Examples of resources include:
1. Distributing food kits, care kits
2. Providing hotel vouchers
3. Connecting to navigators in multiple languages throughout the North Sound

Website: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.

Website: https://mil.wa.gov/for-individuals-households-businesses#Individual
The Individual Assistance Program (IA): IA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program to support individual and business recovery and is authorized through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. The IA program has multiple components including cash assistance and crisis counseling, a detailed declaration process and benefits that vary depending on several factors.  For more information, please click here.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program: SBA disaster loans are available even without a Presidential Disaster Declaration and are a great tool to provide low-interest loans to individuals, families, businesses and organizations that suffer physical or economic loss due to a disaster or other disruption. For more information, please click here. For more information, please click here.

Limited English Proficiency Program: The LEP program supports language accessibility for individuals, families and businesses by working with state and local governments and community organizations to promote preparedness activities in communities around the state. For more information, please click here.

Disaster Resilience, Recovery and Restoration: Disaster Recovery includes both pre-disaster recovery planning and post-disaster recovery to re-envision and restore a community. Technical assistance and information is available for local governments, special districts, and organizations. Please click here for more information.

Individual Assistance, SBA, other Human Services Programs
Travis Linares-Hengen
Human Services Program Manager
Travis.linares-hengen@mil.wa.gov
(253) 512-7028

Limited English Proficiency Program
Lewis Lujan
Limited English Proficiency Coordinator
Lewis.Lujan@mil.wa.gov
(253) 512-7138

Washington Department of Social and Health Services Disaster Cash Assistance Program
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/emergency-assistance-programs/disaster-cash-assistance-program

4101 Meridian St., Bellingham, 98226
877-501-2233

Cash program activated due to natural disasters or other specified states of emergency declared by the Governor. It is available to families or individuals without children who face an emergency and don’t have the money to meet their basic needs.

Northwest Region Disaster Relief and Recovery Website: https://www.redcross.org/local/washington/get-help.html
Northwest Region Website: https://www.redcross.org/local/washington.html
Northwest Region Disaster Relief and Recovery Phone: (206)-323-2345

https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
1-855-265-4038

U.S. Department of Education
FedLoan Servicing
P.O. Box 69184
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9184

If you are employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.