Financial & Tax Resources

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

identitytheft.gov

IdentityTheft.gov can help you report and recover from identity theft.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint

(360) 753-6200

1125 Washington St SE
PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General offers an informal complaint resolution service to Washington state residents, and to consumers with complaints about businesses located in Washington state. Types of complaints include Robocall, Reproductive Rights, Pregnancy Accommodations, Manufactured Housing, Medicaid Fraud, COVID-19, and General Consumer Complaints.

https://wsac.wa.gov/college-bound

1 (888) 535-0747, Option 1

917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502

The College Bound Scholarship is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who enroll in middle school and meet the pledge requirements. The College Bound Scholarship covers average tuition at public college rates, some fees, and a small book allowance at over 65 colleges, universities, and technical schools in Washington.

What are the College Bound Scholarship requirements?

As part of the College Bound sign-up process, you pledge to:
• Graduate from a Washington State high school or approved homeschool program with a
cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) beginning your senior year of high school.

In order to receive the scholarship, you must fulfill the pledge and:
• Be determined as income-eligible by your college with the information from your FAFSA or
WASFA.
• Start attending college within one year of graduating from high school. In order to receive
College Bound funds, you must attend an eligible college at https://wsac.wa.gov/sfa-institutions
• Meet the program’s state residency standards for College Bound.

https://wsac.wa.gov/wcg

360-753-7800

Washington College Grant gives eligible people money for types of education like certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college. The amount you receive depends on family size, income, and the cost of your school or program. Visit the website to learn more about who is eligible and to estimate what your financial aid award could be.

https://www.dvsas.org/

360.715.1563

Mailing Address: 1407 Commercial St. Bellingham, WA 98225

With one-to-one support and advocacy counseling, DVSAS can help you plan for your safety, answer legal questions, connect you with services like housing and counseling, and stand by you as you recover and heal from domestic violence and sexual assault. 24 Hour Helpline: 360.715.1563

https://cob.org/services/safety/police-services/reporting/identity-theft-tips
Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

Find information for local groups you may want to contact if you are the victim of identity theft or fraud as well as helpful tips for proactive protection.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/senior-fraud

1125 Washington St SE, PO Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504

Consumers lose billions of dollars each year to fraud. People over age 50 are especially vulnerable and account for over half of all victims, according to a study conducted by AARP. People who commit these types of crimes, “con criminals,” often target older people knowing they have spent a lifetime earning their savings. Con criminals go wherever they can to find money to steal. They use everyday tools—the mailbox, the telephone, the Internet—to reach into your pocketbook.

You can help educate your friends, parents, and others by becoming familiar with some of the more common scams and how they operate. Then share that information with others.

Find resources specific to protecting seniors from fraud and scams here.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/guardit.aspx
1125 Washington St SE, PO Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504

Find resources to help:

PROTECT my personal information
RECOVER from identity theft or fraud and/or report a crime
IMPROVE security and privacy practices for my business or organization

LEARN about:
common scams
AGO initiatives
Data Security Breaches Affecting Washington Residents

ATTEND a free shredding event

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is a free resource for all. With AARP as your partner, you’ll learn how to proactively spot scams, get guidance from our fraud specialists, and feel more secure knowing that we advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to protect consumers and enforce the law.

If you’ve been targeted by scams or fraud, you are not alone. Our trained fraud specialists provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future. The AARP Fraud Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and available to anyone. We also offer online support sessions for further emotional support.

Looking for resources in Spanish? Go to www.aarp.org/fraude

https://www.whatcomabc.org/money-management/taxes/
360-746-0100

One stop source for a number of resources in Whatcom County providing tax support. Tax Hotline: Call 360-746-0100 Mon. – Fri. 8am – 4:30pm or email taxes@oppco.org. Scheduling information for volunteer tax return preparation support for eligible households making less than $66,000/year. Information about how to file your own taxes online by utilizing free tax software.

One stop source for a number of resources in Whatcom County providing tax support.

Tax Hotline Email taxes@oppco.org, or call 360-746-0100 | Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.
File your taxes online by utilizing a free tax software program or fillable forms:

GetYourRefund – This free service partners with IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to provide tax filing assistance to families earning less than $66,000 a year. Get started at GetYourRefund.org

IRS Free File – IRS Free File lets you prepare and file your federal income tax online for free. File at an IRS partner site with the IRS Free File Program or use Free File Fillable Forms.

• 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.

Additional Tax Supports:

• 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).

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.

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.