Grant to Support Tax Campaign for Working Families

PHILADELPHIA, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania has announced a grant for $60,000 to the Campaign for Working Families, a local coalition of organizations that provides free tax assistance to low-income working families. United Way is a member of the Campaign and recruits and trains the Campaign's volunteers.

"United Way is committed to improving the quality of life for the working families of Philadelphia," said Alba Martinez, President of the organization. "By assisting hard-working families in increasing their tax refund, we are promoting recognition of the value of the work families do while providing those with the least resources the ability to increase their income and allow them to pay for shelter, transportation, or education."

Over the past three years, Philadelphia's Campaign for Working Families has brought more than $45.2 million directly into the homes of low-income working families. The Campaign promotes free tax filings and connects Philadelphia residents to other tax credits, public benefits, and ways to keep and grow their household incomes.

EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) is a tax benefit for working people who earn low and moderate incomes (less than $37,263 in calendar year 2005). It reduces the tax burden on these workers, supplements their wages, and helps families pay bills or save for the future. EITC refunds can be up to $4,400 per year, based on family size and income.

Over the last 30 years, the EITC has reduced the annual tax burden for low-income working families and emerged as America's largest and most effective anti-poverty program. In 2002, in Pennsylvania, $1.2 billion in EITC credits were paid to state residents. However, an estimated 39,000 eligible households in Philadelphia do not file for EITC, leaving approximately $66.3 million in unclaimed credits.

The mission of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of donors, volunteers, and communities.

United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Founded in 1921 by the business community, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania improves people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of donors, volunteers and communities. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania is one of the region's largest non-profit organizations and one of approximately 1,400 affiliated United Ways nationwide. Each United Way is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers.