Income
One-third of working families in America do not earn enough money to meet their basic needs, such as food, rent, transportation and medicine, in spite of the fact that many are employed.
In fact, credit card debt for the average person living in America hovers around $9,000 as credit cards often function as a safety net to help weather job losses and deal with unexpected expenses.
It is imperative that we work together to solve these issues. United Way is working nationally with our partners to cut the number of struggling families in half. By focusing on prevention, we enable families to remain independent while receiving the support they need to become financially stable.
Here in the tri-state region, United Way is leading efforts to strengthen communities by identifying and tackling the underlying causes of the financial hardship facing today's families.
United Way in the Tri-State Region
United Way's Financial Stability Partnershipinitiative helps families and individuals achieve stability that leads to long-term independence.
- United Way's tax preparation services help low-income families throughout the tri-state region claim the Earned Income tax Credit (EITC), access savings programs and receive financial mentoring and support. All programs aim to help residents increase their income while saving for the future.
- Low-income families in New York City benefit from United Way's Food Card Access Project, which uses grassroots methods to improve awareness of and access to food stamps. Volunteers work with residents to determine eligibility, assist with applications and advocate on their behalf if problems arise within the system.
- For those on Long Island who struggle to pay their heating bills, United Way's Project Warmth is there to connect them with case managers who help them solve their financial difficulties while remaining warm during the winter months. Project Warmth also helps low-income seniors install ENERGY STAR high-efficiency furnaces, which save up to 30% on heating costs.
Our Housing for All initiative works with individuals and families to access and maintain affordable housing.
- Homeless families in Greater Mercer Countywork with United Way partners to receive supportive services that help them stay in their home. Services such as job training and low-interest loans are critical to stabilizing families and preventing future homelessness.
- Hardworking families are often priced out of Westchester's housing market. United Way's Affordable Housing Initiative works with local communities to raise awareness of the need for, and to commit to, increasing affordable housing for working class families.
