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Newark Now Programs:
Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)
The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) directly connects thousands of Newarkers annually to important governmental, financial, and legal services. The FEC operates Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Refund Now sites that in 2008 helped more than 2,100 low-income families obtain more than $3 million in tax refunds through free, professional tax preparation services.
The following are a list of services that the FEC provides to people in the community:
* Free benefits screening and help with claiming food charge cards and vouchers, child care assistances, tax credits & health care.
* Free on site referrals to family counseling for help addressing problems, including domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health care.
* Free tax preparation and filing which is professional and simple. Through the VITA and Refund Now programs the FEC is able to assist clients in getting back the money they have earned at no cost and in some case in as little as two days.
* Free financial counseling one on one sessions with a trained professional on credit issues, debt issues, budget management and savings strategies.
* Free Financial Literacy & Credit related workshops.
* Free legal counseling concerning housing and tenant issues.
* Access to our Individual Development Account (IDA) program where we match a client’s savings on a 2 to 1 basis. The money can be used for asset building in one of the following areas: Higher Education, homeownership, or starting a new business or expanding an existing one (eligibility is based on income).
* Access to reduced prices for medical prescriptions and in some cases free prescriptions for those who qualify.
* Free legal counseling concerning housing and tenant issues.
Current Partnerships:
* City of Newark
* Newark Works -One Stop Career Center
* Single Stop USA
* Essex County Department of Citizens Services
