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Federal Agency Content Roundtable May 27, 2015

Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Resource Highlights from – Department of Labor – Housing and Urban Development – Internal Revenue Service – Social Security Administration • Examples of Federal Content on Law. Help Sites

Presenters • Allie C. Yang-Green, Allie. C. Yang-Green 2@usdoj. gov Special Counsel U. S. Department of Justice, Access to Justice Initiative • Jad K. Atallah, Jad. k. atallah@hud. gov Attorney-Advisor, HUD Office of General Counsel • Carol Quiller, Carol. quiller@irs. gov Acting Chief, National Partnerships, Internal Revenue Service • Christopher Duling, Christopher. M. Duling@irs. gov Attorney Advisor, Internal Revenue Service • Diandra Taylor, Diandra. Taylor@ssa. gov National Public Affairs Specialist, External Affairs, Office of Communications, Social Security Administration

Pro Bono Net’s programs: • Enable legal advocates to make a stronger impact • Increase volunteer participation • Empower the public with resources and self-help tools to address legal issues

Department of Justice Access to Justice Initiative LEG AL AID INTERAGENCY ROUNDTABLE (LAIR) • Eighteen federal agency collaboration to explore ways in which civil legal aid can support Federal efforts to promote access to health services, housing, education, employment, family stability and community well-being. • About Access to Justice Initiative: http: //www. justice. gov/atj • LAIR toolkit: http: //www. justice. gov/atj/legal-aid-interagency -roundtable-toolkit

Special Counsel U. S. Department of Justice, Access to Justice Initiative ALLIE C. YANG-GREEN

Department of Labor ONLINE RESOURCES Presented by Allie Yang-Green Department of Justice Access to Justice Initiative Special Counsel allie. c. yang-green 2@usdoj. gov

“Know Your Rights” Video Series �Videos in English and Spanish to provide workers with useful basic information in different workplace scenarios Minimum Wage Overtime Regular Pay Off-the-Clock Hours Misclassification as Independent Contractor Child Labor Migrant and Seasonal Work How to File a Complaint

http: //www. dol. gov/whd/res ources/kyrvideo. htm

Benefits. gov What is Benefits. gov? • An official U. S. government website that informs citizens of benefits they may be eligible for. • It provides information on how to apply for assistance.

Benefits. gov

Benefits. gov

Benefits. gov � Also in Spanish: http: //es. benefits. gov/

Disability. gov � The U. S. federal government website for information on disability programs and services nationwide. � The site connects people with disabilities, their families and caregivers to helpful resources on topics such as how to apply for disability benefits, find a job, get health care or pay for accessible housing.

Disability. gov � Find information using “Guide Me”:

Disability. gov � Find information by topic:

Attorney-Advisor, HUD Office of General Counsel JAD K. ATALLAH

Webinar Law. Help. org Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Jad Atallah Office of General Counsel Jad. k. atallah@hud. gov

What HUD does • Create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. • Strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers • Meet the need for quality affordable rental homes

A Good Starting Point: Housing Counseling Website http: //portal. hud. gov/hudportal/HUD? src=/program_ offices/housing/sfh/hcc

Get Help From Local Housing Counseling Organizations http: //www. hud. gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs. cfm

Protect Yourself When Buying a Home http: //portal. hud. gov/hudportal/HUD? src=/homeownerhelp http: //portal. hud. gov/hudportal/HUD? src=/topi cs/buying_a_home

Fair Housing Information Clearinghouse http: //fhic. nfhta. org/ • Legal Staff Available Free of Charge • Partnerships with Law Firms, Legal Aid Orgs, and more http: //fhic. nfhta. org/resources/agencies

Filing a Discrimination Complaint with HUD http: //portal. hud. gov/hudportal/HUD? src=/ topics/housing_discrimination

Resources for LGBT Persons http: //portal. hud. gov/hudportal/HUD? src=/pr ogram_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/LGBT _Housing_Discrimination https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=3_NHy 1 C 53 L A&feature=youtu. be.

HUD Inspector General Hotline • • Phone: 1 -800 -347 -3735 (Toll-Free) E-MAIL: hotline@hudoig. gov https: //www. hudoig. gov/hotline

Acting Chief, National Partnerships, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) CAROL QUILLER & Attorney Advisor, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) CHRISTOPHER DULING

Partnering with the Internal Revenue Service May 2015 31

SPEC Overview · Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC) is the outreach and education function of the Wage and Investment Division within the Internal Revenue Service. · SPEC assists taxpayers in satisfying their tax responsibilities by building and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders by informing, educating and communicating with our shared customers. · SPEC’s Business Model integrates tax education, outreach, free tax preparation and asset building with other strategies promoted by partners. · SPEC is responsible for the delivery and oversight of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. · The SPEC organization also supports the IRS’s Web first service strategy by encouraging taxpayers to use online services like, “Where’s My Refund”, “Get Transcripts” and Identity Theft guidance. 32

SPEC Partners & Coalitions SPEC currently partners with nearly 3, 000 national and local partner organizations of all types: • • Corporate Faith-based Nonprofit Educational • Financial • Governmental • Public service 33

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) • Originated with Tax Reform Act of 1969 • The program offers free tax return preparation to: • Low to moderate income • Persons with disabilities • Elderly • Limited English speaking • IRS certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations help prepare tax returns in communities across the country. • Matching grant funding was authorized by Congress in December 2007 34

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) • Originated as a result of the Revenue Act of 1978 • The program offers free tax return preparation services primarily to seniors who are 60 years of age and older. • Volunteers are trained to address questions about pensions and retirement related issues that are unique to seniors. • Grant funding is available for qualifying organizations 35

Program Scope • SPEC has: • Approximately 12, 000 VITA/TCE sites • 90, 000 volunteers • Sites are located in community centers, libraries, churches, shopping malls, schools and other locations throughout communities. • Partners with Armed Forces Tax Council to provide free tax return preparation to active and retired military personnel at domestic and overseas military bases and ships. • Provides training and materials to all volunteers 36

Filing Season 2015 • Over 3. 6 Million Federal Tax Returns • Over 2. 7 Million State Returns • Over $3. 9 Billion in Federal Tax Refunds • Returns Electronically filed – 97% 37

Low Income Tax Clinics (LITC) • Independent from the IRS • Represent low income individuals in disputes with the IRS including audits, appeals, collection matters and federal tax litigation • Help respond to notices and correct account problems • Provide education about rights and responsibilities • Services are free or low cost • Operated by legal aid and legal services organizations, clinical programs at accredited law, business and accounting schools and other non profit organizations • Grant funding is available for qualifying organizations 38

Resources • For more information about the VITA/TCE program and other services offered please visit our website: • http: //www. irs. gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for. You-by-Volunteers • http: //www. irs. gov/Individuals/IRS-Tax-Volunteers • http: //www. irs. gov/Individuals/IRS-VITA-Grant-Program • http: //www. irsvideos. gov/Individual • http: //www. irs. gov/Advocate/Low-Income-Taxpayer-Clinics • http: //www. irs. gov/Advocate/Low-Income-Taxpayer. Clinics/Information-for-Potential-LITC-Grantees 39

Contact Information Carol Quiller Acting Chief, National Partnerships 404 -338 -8091 Carol. quiller@irs. gov Christopher Duling Attorney Advisor 202 - 317 -3056 Christopher. M. Duling@irs. gov 40

National Public Affairs Specialist External Affairs, Office of Communications, Social Security Administration DIANDRA TAYLOR

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PRO BONO RESOURCE WEBINAR MAY 27, 2015 1: 00 PM EDT 42

• The Social Security Administration delivers a broad range of services online at socialsecurity. gov and through a nationwide network of over 1, 400 offices across the country. • The rich diversity of our employees mirrors the public we serve, and we have a proud history of protecting the integrity of our programs and service to the public. • This year marks the 80 th Anniversary of President Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act. Few government agencies touch as many lives as Social Security. Our customers reflect the full diversity of the American public in age, education, income, ethnicity, race, and ability. 43

Social Security can be found online at: www. socialsecurity. gov Individuals can get information regarding: • Retirement • Disability • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Other benefits and services 44

RETIREMENT Social Security allows beneficiaries to file for their retirement benefits online. 45

RETIREMENT The online application is easy and takes as little as fifteen minutes from the convenience of your home or office. Below are some links to help start the retirement online process: • Apply for Benefits - http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/retire/ • Find your full retirement age http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/planners/retire/ageincrease. html • Full Retirement Age for Survivors http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/planners/survivorchartred. html#about • Delayed Retirement - http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/planners/retire/delayret. html 46

RETIREMENT CALCULATOR http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/planners/benefitcalculators. html An important tool to help you plan your future based on various scenarios of your choosing. 47

RETIREMENT Other Retirement Resources http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/retire/ • Retirement Related Publications • Retirement Planner • Benefits for a spouse • Benefits for Children 48

DISABILITY The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured, " meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need. 49

DISABILITY Online Disability Resources • Disability Starter Kits http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/disability_starter_kits. htm#sb=1 • How to Apply for Disability Benefits http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/disability. html#sb=1 • How We Decide if You Are Disabled http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/planners/disability/dqualify 5. html • Benefits Planner: Your Future Benefits http: //www. ssa. gov/planners/index. html • Benefits for Children with Disabilities - http: //www. ssa. gov/pubs/EN-0510026. pdf 50

THE FACES AND FACTS OF DISABILITY • Social Security’s disability education and awareness initiative launched in May 2014. • The campaign’s objective is to educate the public about the Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and dispel common misconceptions. • To learn more about the campaign you can begin here: • The Faces and Facts of Disability 51

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes): It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. 52

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME • Understanding SSI http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/ssi/text -understanding-ssi. htm • SSI Application Process -apply-ussi. htm • SSI Work Incentives -work-ussi. htm http: //www. ssa. gov/ssi/text http: //www. socialsecuirty. gov/ssi/text 53

my Social Security Create an Account & Sign In www. socialsecurity. gov/myaccount 54

my Social Security www. socialsecurity. gov/myaccount A my Social Security account allows you to • Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year; • Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working; • Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them; and • Manage your benefits: Change your address; Start or change your direct deposit; Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042 S for tax season; and Get a replacement Medicare Card. 55

OTHER RESOURCES • Social Security Card Information - http: //www. socialsecuirty. gov/ssnumber/ • For Persons With Limited English Proficiency http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/people/veterans/ • Information for Wounded Warriors and Veterans Who Have a Compensation Rating of 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/people/veterans/ 56

OTHER RESOURCES • People Experiencing Homelessness and Their Service Providers http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/homelessness/ • Special Notice Option For The Blind Or Visually Impaired http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/people/blind/ • Immigration - http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/people/immigrants/ • Benefits After Incarceration: What You Need To Know http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/reentry/ 57

QUESTIONS 58

Examples of DOL Resources

Examples of HUD Resources

Examples of IRS Resources

Examples of SSA Resources

Thank you! • Allie C. Yang-Green, Allie. C. Yang-Green 2@usdoj. gov Special Counsel U. S. Department of Justice, Access to Justice Initiative • Jad K. Atallah, Jad. k. atallah@hud. gov Attorney-Advisor, HUD Office of General Counsel • Carol Quiller, Carol. quiller@irs. gov Acting Chief, National Partnerships, Internal Revenue Service • Christopher Duling, Christopher. M. Duling@irs. gov Attorney Advisor, Internal Revenue Service • Diandra Taylor, Diandra. Taylor@ssa. gov National Public Affairs Specialist External Affairs, Office of Communications, Social Security Administration