Homelessness and housing insecurity are some of the pervasive obstacles identified in our field hearings and report, “Obstacles at Every Turn: Barriers to Political Participation Faced by Native American Voters.” Lack of adequate housing is a crisis across Indian Country.
In addition to making it difficult to vote, housing insecurity can make it harder to receive much-needed federal relief during the pandemic. People who are facing housing instability may not have an income that requires filing federal taxes, but that is how to qualify and receive a stimulus check. Even without a long-term address, there are ways to file with the Internal Revenue Service and receive the available funds:
HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR STIMULUS CHECK
WHEN LACKING A HOME ADDRESS
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- You need access to an address
- With permission, you may use a friend or family member’s address, or you may use a community center, church, or other community resource address (recommended to get permission in writing).
- When you get the mailing address, file a change of address form with the post office (even if there is no address to change from) to the address you are now using. You may need a piece of paper from the community center/church/etc. giving you permission to use their address.
- If you have ongoing access to a computer with internet: Make sure you have access to a personal email account and phone. Choose from a variety of free online tax filing services to file a tax return
- If you do not have regular access to a computer with internet, locate a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) center near you.
- Determine hours of operation.
- Many have tax packets for pick up. Once you fill out the information in there, VITA representatives will file your taxes for you and go over them with you.
- Select whether you would prefer your returns (stimulus check) to be delivered as a check or debit card.
- Note that most banks require an account to deposit checks.
- Check with person that gave you permission to use address for arrival of stimulus.
- You need access to an address
For more information or if you want to help more people:
Angel Resource Connection, based in Seattle, provides lots of information and training on how to reach larger numbers of people who are entitled to, but have not received, stimulus money.
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The post Receiving Federal Stimulus Checks During a Housing Crisis appeared first on Native American Rights Fund.
Homelessness and housing insecurity are some of the pervasive obstacles identified in our field hearings and report, “Obstacles at Every Turn: Barriers to Political Participation Faced by Native American Voters.” Lack of adequate housing is a crisis across Indian Country.
In addition to making it difficult to vote, housing insecurity can make it harder to receive much-needed federal relief during the pandemic. People who are facing housing instability may not have an income that requires filing federal taxes, but that is how to qualify and receive a stimulus check. Even without a long-term address, there are ways to file with the Internal Revenue Service and receive the available funds:
HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR STIMULUS CHECK
WHEN LACKING A HOME ADDRESS
-
-
-
- You need access to an address
- With permission, you may use a friend or family member’s address, or you may use a community center, church, or other community resource address (recommended to get permission in writing).
- When you get the mailing address, file a change of address form with the post office (even if there is no address to change from) to the address you are now using. You may need a piece of paper from the community center/church/etc. giving you permission to use their address.
- If you have ongoing access to a computer with internet: Make sure you have access to a personal email account and phone. Choose from a variety of free online tax filing services to file a tax return
- If you do not have regular access to a computer with internet, locate a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) center near you.
- Determine hours of operation.
- Many have tax packets for pick up. Once you fill out the information in there, VITA representatives will file your taxes for you and go over them with you.
- Select whether you would prefer your returns (stimulus check) to be delivered as a check or debit card.
- Note that most banks require an account to deposit checks.
- Check with person that gave you permission to use address for arrival of stimulus.
- You need access to an address
For more information or if you want to help more people:
Angel Resource Connection, based in Seattle, provides lots of information and training on how to reach larger numbers of people who are entitled to, but have not received, stimulus money.
-
-
The post Receiving Federal Stimulus Checks During a Housing Crisis appeared first on Native American Rights Fund.