What is a payday loan?

Know your rights: 

Alternatives to payday loans:

If you find yourself stuck in a payday loan, there are options available: 

Medical bills can be confusing and overwhelming and often come at a time when you’re already in distress. If this sounds like you or a loved one, below is information that can help currently and in the future.

Know Your Rights and Protections

• No Surprises Act

• Financial Assistance Options

• Debt Collectors

• Credit Report

• Avoid Scammers

• Navigating Medical Debt – Informational Webinar

For health insurance enrollment support through Foundation Communities, call 512-381-4520 today!

If you would like to talk to a Financial Coach about any financial plans call our Prosper Centers at 737-717-4000 or visit our web site at ProsperFinancialWellness.org.

At the March 30th ribbon cutting ceremony for Laurel Creek Apartments, a resident opened her speech
with these powerful words:

“My name is Evelyn Chase…and I am not a victim. I am a survivor.”

Evelyn is not shy about detailing the abuse she has endured. It caused her to run away from home as a teenager. And, as a mother of three, she escaped twice from her common-law husband due to alleged abuse. Evelyn says they always believed things would get better if they just didn’t give up.

“We focused on turning our pain into perseverance,” said Evelyn. “I never allow my pain to dictate my future.”

In 2019, Evelyn began looking for housing she could afford for her family. It was very difficult as she was living on disability – lupus and cancer have prevented her from holding a steady job. The family bounced around between the homes of relatives and friends, an experience that offered no privacy or stability.

Evelyn never stopped looking for housing. After enduring years of rejection from apartment managers who called her a “liability” and getting on numerous waiting lists, in August of 2021, Evelyn and her family moved into the Austin Women and Children’s Shelter. It was another temporary move, not a home. Finally, it happened. Evelyn received a call from a manager at Laurel Creek who said they had been tentatively approved for an apartment in the complex. She and her kids were elated.

“After so many doors closed in our faces, Laurel Creek opened their doors,” said Evelyn. “Our joy went to the next level when we came here to view the complex. We didn’t know we would be moving into a brand new apartment in a beautiful community.”

The most emotional moment of the speech came when Evelyn held up the keychain and keys she was given as her family moved in.

She said, “…and the chain says, welcome home. And, we felt at home. Thank you.”

Evelyn concluded by thanking Foundation Communities for giving her family a fresh start. She also said they’re looking forward to accessing support services at Laurel Creek, including the Learning Center and nursing station. Evelyn said she wants to volunteer with the Healthy Food Pantry program so she can give back to the community.

On November 30, 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new Debt Collection Rule became effective. Here are key points to know about the new rule:

For more information about how to check your credit reports for accuracy and/or how to dispute a claim, the CFPB is a great resource! You can also schedule an appointment with one of our Financial Coaches who can walk you through the process and provide any necessary support. Call 737-717-4000 or visit ProsperFinancialWellness.org to schedule your appointment.

No te preocupes esta temporada de impuestos. ¡Foundation Communities puede ayudarte a maximizar tu reembolso de forma gratuita!

¿Por qué deberías presentar con Foundation Communities este año? Aquí hay cinco razones por cual deberías usar nuestra asistencia gratuita para la presentación de impuestos en el 2022.

1. Es gratis y los preparadores de pago son caros.

El costo promedio de preparación profesional de impuestos es entre $159 a $273. ¡Este es el dinero que sale de tu reembolso de impuestos! Es más, algunos preparadores evitan revelar sus costos hasta el final de la sesión. Nuestros servicios son 100% gratis.

Como un recurso gratuito de preparación de impuestos de la comunidad, nuestro objetivo es ayudar a las personas en el centro de Texas con ingresos bajos a moderados a acceder a una preparación de impuestos de alta calidad sin costo alguno. Para calificar para nuestros servicios, las personas deben ganar menos de $50,000 al año y los hogares de 2 a 4 gentes deben ganar menos de $75,000 al año (el límite de ingresos aumenta en $5,000 por cada miembro adicional de la familia).

2. ¡Nuestro personal está certificado por el IRS!

Los preparadores de impuestos de Foundation Communities es certificado cada año por el IRS a través de un riguroso proceso de pruebas administradas por la agencia. Todas las declaraciones de impuestos siempre son revisadas por un revisor de calidad. Nuestro personal certificado por el IRS está listo para ayudarte a aumentar tus ganancias esta temporada de impuestos.

3. Nuestro personal está comprometido a ayudarte.

Como una organización sin fines de lucro, no tenemos ningún motivo de ganancia. Nuestro objetivo es ofrecer excelentes servicios de preparación de impuestos y maximizar tu reembolso de impuestos.

4. Puedes conseguir más que simplemente ayuda de presentación de impuestos.

Con el fin de ayudar a construir caminos hacia el bienestar financiero, conectamos a los clientes con recursos internos para ayudarles a alcanzar sus objetivos financieros. En nuestros Centros Prósperos, también puede acceder entrenamiento financiero gratuito, servicios de apoyo a la universidad e inscripción en seguros médicos.

5. ¡Es muy fácil!

¡El programa Ayuda de Impuestos Austin de Foundation Communities ayuda a miles de personas a maximizar sus reembolsos de impuestos cada año! ¡Ahora estamos abiertos para la preparación de impuestos en persona, visita nuestra página de citas o llame al 2-1-1 para programar una cita GRATUITA hoy!

Don’t stress this tax season. Foundation Communities can help you maximize your refund free of charge! Why should you file with Foundation Communities this year? Here are the top five reasons to use our free tax filing assistance.

1. It’s free!

The average cost of professional tax preparation ranges from $159 to $273. This is money that comes out of your tax refund! Some paid preparers avoid disclosing their fees until the end of the session.

As a free community tax preparation resource, our goal is to help people in Central Texas with lower incomes access high-quality tax preparation at no cost. To qualify for our services, individuals must earn less than $50,000/year and households of 2-4 must earn less than $75,000/year (the income limit increases by $5,000 for each additional family member).

2. Our staff is IRS Certified.

Foundation Communities tax preparers are trained in tax law and certified each year by the IRS through a rigorous testing process, and tax returns are always reviewed by a quality reviewer. Our IRS-certified team is ready to help you boost your earnings this tax season.

3. Our staff is committed to helping you.

As a non-profit organization, we have no profit motive. We are not out to collect fees; our goal is to provide you with excellent tax prep services and the maximum refund possible. You will never be charged for our services!

4. You can get more than just great free tax filing help.

In order to help build pathways to financial wellness, we connect clients with internal resources to help them achieve their financial goals. At our Prosper Centers, you can also access free financial coaching, college support services, and health insurance enrollment.

5. It’s easy!

The Prosper Tax Help program at Foundation Communities helps thousands of people maximize their tax refunds every year! We are now open for in-person tax prep, you can schedule an appointment online or call 2-1-1 to schedule a FREE appointment today!

Mary Sapp could be spending lots of time visiting loved ones, doing hobbies or just relaxing. But, that’s not who she is. The retired advocate for the aging volunteers with Foundation Communities support services programs. Ten years ago, Mary started with Financial Coaching. She later began working with students in the ESL program. Now, at the active age of 76, Mary volunteers twice every month, working with our Healthy Food Pantry program at Sierra Ridge. In fact, she was one of the program’s first volunteers.

“A good part of my life, I’ve been concerned and committed to improving the quality of life of individuals in many different ways,” said Mary. “Foundation Communities provided me an opportunity to continue living out my values in ways that are important to me.”

When the pandemic struck in 2020, the Food Pantries saw an explosion of activity as they became a lifeline for people who had lost their jobs. Mary and other volunteers kept showing up, honoring their commitments to the program. Mary says it’s because she enjoys serving the clients and working with the program’s staff. She also appreciates Foundation Communities’ model of creating affordable communities that offer a variety of support services.

“That’s what happens at Foundation Communities,” said Mary. “Yes, it’s about housing, but it’s also about holistically caring for individuals and helping them be more successful.”

Foundation Communities is eternally grateful to volunteers like Mary, and the many residents who help us make our 26 affordable communities and our financial services centers all over Austin and North Texas places where their neighbors can find success and quality of life. You can explore volunteer opportunities with Foundation Communities at foundcom.org/volunteer.

In the next two weeks, we will be featuring some of those great people as part of our “Neighbor Up, Austin” campaign for Amplify Austin, March 2-3. We hope you’ll neighbor up and help us raise money for our support services programs on our Amplify Austin page at https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/foundation-communities.

The 2022 tax filing season is here, and while more Central Texans may be looking forward to receiving a tax refund, they may also be having nightmares about forms, deductions and credits. For more than 15 years, thousands of Central Texans have trusted Foundation Communities to provide free tax preparation. This year, we will have six tax help locations open in Austin and Round Rock to help our neighbors “maximize their refund and minimize their stress.” All centers will follow recommended masking and social distancing protocols.

With the expanded Child Tax Credit, families with eligible dependents can receive up to $3,600 per child when they file a 2021 tax return. Our team of IRS-certified tax preparers is trained to help them get their maximum refund and all the tax credits they are eligible for. Eligibility for our free services is income based: up to $50,000 for a single filer, $75,000 for households of 2-4 people, and an additional $5,000 for each additional household member. Our tax services are available by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled at prospertaxhelp.org or by calling 211.

¿Por qué pasar horas declarando impuestos? Estás ocupado, ¡lo entendemos! Ahorra tiempo al entregar tus documentos de impuestos en un Centro Próspero. ¡Nuestro Programa de Drop Off es una forma confidencial y segura de presentar tus impuestos!

Para ayudarnos a preparar tus impuestos, por favor asegúrate de traer todos los documentos de impuestos a la entrevista de admisión. No podemos preparar tu declaración si olvidas alguno de estos documentos. Si no estás seguro qué traer a la entrevista de admisión, hicimos una lista para ayudarte.

¡Los Centros Prósperos ahora están abiertos para servicios en persona! ¡Programa tu cita GRATIS de admisión para el programa Drop Off hoy!
¡Recuperemos TODO tu dinero esta temporada!

In the Financial Wellness program, we love making plans for reaching financial goals! This is a very exciting time of year where many people are getting a tax refund, and can make big strides toward their financial goals – even if one of those goals is to just catch up!

Here are a few tips for how to make the most of your tax refund:

*Pro tip: talk to your Financial Coach about what savings vehicle is best for you and your goals.

If you would like to talk to a Financial Coach about your tax refund plans (or any financial plans!), call our Prosper Centers at 737-717-4000 or visit our web site at ProsperFinancialWellness.org.