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In recent years a number of community organizations have pioneered efforts to link free tax preparation services with work support benefits (e.g. food stamps, low-cost and free health insurance, etc.). Each work support benefit represents a potential tool to help a low-income family raise its standard of living. Given this potential, service providers are attempting to effectively link to work support benefits to ensure that they are easily accessible. Such linkages can be challenging, and a compilation of proven best practices remains a goal for the future.
In an effort to assist free tax preparation practioners in successfully linking their services to work support benefits, we researched several programs that have started such linkages. This research laid the foundation for this Benefits Outreach Resource Library, which features Program Profiles of five free tax preparation programs. Each program's Innovative approaches are highlighted, providing a framework for other organizations when developing their own work support benefit initiatives.
In addition to program profiles, visit the Resource Links section for additional informational resources that could be especially helpful to benefits outreach organizations and their clients.