United Ways of California improves health, education and financial stability outcomes for low-income children and families by enhancing the advocacy and community impact work of California’s United Ways. Collectively, California’s 31 United Ways raise close to $200M every year in charitable donations for targeted investments in critical health, education and human services in our communities. Individually and together, California’s United Ways build a stronger California by mobilizing our communities’ public, private and nonprofit sectors through community engagement, public policy advocacy, research and results-based funding.
Programs
CalEITC
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a reward for work to California’s working families and individuals. This tax season, the CalEITC will be available to approximately 1.7 million eligible families. Finding out if you are eligible and how much your EITC credit could be is easier than ever.
Visit https://www.myfreetaxes.org/calculator
CalSavers
CalSavers is an individual retirement account (IRA) similar to programs started in Oregon (OregonSaves) and Illinois (Secure Choice) that is designed to give millions of workers in the Golden State who lack access to an employer-sponsored qualified retirement plan a chance to save for the future. It is a portable plan that has oversight from a public board of directors. CalSavers offers traditional and Roth IRAs.
Benefit Screener
Check if you’re eligible for benefits (and how much) via UWCA’s screener on Benefit Kitchen — it’s a mobile platform to help you access 18 fed/state/local benefits for healthier and more financially secure household. Every year 103 million Americans leave $80 billion in benefits unclaimed. We help you figure out what you’re eligible for so you can receive the benefits you’ve earned.
Link to App: https://uwca.benefitkitchen.com/
MyFreeTaxes
Don’t pay to file your taxes. If your household earned less than $66,000 last year, you can file both your federal and state returns for free using MyFreeTaxes.org. Since 2009, over 1 million taxpayers filed using MyFreeTaxes, bringing more than $1.4 Billion back to households in tax refunds, and saving individuals and families at least $191 Million in tax filing fees.
Link to page: https://www.myfreetaxes.org
Healthcare
This single application will let you know if you qualify for coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal. You can also apply in person at your local county human services agency or by phone by calling (800) 300-1506. If you need help applying or have questions, you can Find Help for free. Find a certified enroller in your area.
https://www.unitedwaysca.org/our-work/health
Broadband
For today’s families, a home internet connection is more essential than ever. United Ways have helped connect millions of low-income households to low-cost, high-speed Internet at home so that students, parents, seniors and veterans can be ready for anything. We help provide eligible households with High-speed Internet service for a low monthly fee, with In-home WiFi included, but without long term contract obligations or credit checks, and without installation fees.
http://broadband.unitedwaysca.org
http://broadband.unitedwaysca.org/resources
2-1-1
2 1 1 is a free telephone number providing access to local community services. 2 1 1 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and in multiple languages, allowing those in need to access information and obtain referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions. 2 1 1 also provides disaster preparedness, response, and recovery during declared emergencies.
https://www.unitedwaysca.org/our-work/2-1-1-resources
Contact Us
United Ways of California staff are located throughout California, including Sacramento, Northern California, the Bay Area, the Central Coast, Central California and Southern California. General Email Address: info@unitedwaysca.org
“Find a United Way” tool or page https://www.unitedwaysca.org/find-united-way