United Way of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Monday, May 10, 2021

Contact:

Anna Hasselblad
Public Policy Director, United Ways of California
916 317 4997 

Advocates come together to praise this move, outline a bold and equitable proposal to build on the Administration’s May Revision, and craft a vision for inclusive economic hardship relief

[Los Angeles, Calif.] - California is facing record budget revenues and Governor Newsom’s proposal today to expand the Golden State Stimulus makes powerful use of a portion of this windfall. Advocates from the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) Coalition are heartened by the May Revision proposal, knowing that this is a starting point for negotiations within the Legislature. The CalEITC Coalition looks forward to working with legislators and the Governor to ensure those most impacted by the pandemic are equitably supported and that our community voice is heard throughout this process. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2021

CONTACT
Pete Manzo
President & CEO
877 355 8922 x2

United Ways of California, issued this statement regarding the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, convicted of murder in the killing of George Floyd.

We hope the guilty verdict handed down today provides some measure of justice and peace for Mr. Floyd and his family. What is left after the verdict in Minneapolis is a nation still reeling from the seemingly unrelenting occurrence of killings by police of unarmed individuals, disproportionately people of color, and stark disparities in administration of justice based on race, ethnicity and class.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Contact:

Peter Manzo (323) 309-8522
Anna Hasselblad (916) 317-4997                                                     

Golden State Stimulus, Eviction Protections, and Rent Relief Urgency Budget Proposal Announced by Governor Newsom with Legislative and United Way Leaders

The stimulus will reach low-income Californians, including undocumented households that file taxes with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; local leaders note urgency and readiness to connect families to relief

(Los Angeles, CA) — Statement from United Ways of California and Local United Way Leaders:

“Today marks a critical moment in California’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic with Governor Newsom’s Budget Proposal to provide a much needed $600 state stimulus check to low-income residents via the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) structure. This combined with extending eviction protections and providing rent relief funds comes at the right time as so many households struggle to stay afloat financially,” said Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California, (UWCA). “Local United Ways throughout California are on the frontlines of connecting communities to services and assistance, raising and disbursing millions of dollars in 2020 alone to help tens of thousands of families grappling with the devastating impacts of COVID-19. 2021 will require a similar commitment to getting aid where it is needed most, and we are ready to partner closely with the Legislature and the Newsom Administration to see this budget proposal through with urgency.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2020

Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Press READ MORE for Spanish version

United Way offers free tax filing services, guidance and tax credit advice to Californians already struggling with the pandemic and increasing financial insecurity

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 15, 2020) ‒ This past week United Ways of California has been running a Tax Countdown Informational Series in the media to inform low to middle-income hardworking Californians about critical tax information, key deadlines and free solutions at United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.org site. Today (July 15) is the deadline to file a tax return and pay federal taxes. If filers don’t owe taxes above what has been withheld from their paychecks already, they receive an automatic additional extension to file federal and state taxes until October 15. If filers think they owe taxes but aren’t ready to file a return, they must request an extension, or they may be hit with penalties and interest due on the amount owed. In either case, it is still a good idea to file and pay sooner than later. 

Several Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, partners, subgrantees, and MyFreeTaxes.org will continue to operate until October 15, 2020. The website helps people get connected to services that provide free, virtual assistance to those who still need to do their taxes. Any immediate tax questions can be answered by calling 1-866-698-9435, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, PST. Additionally, you can text TAXES to 211-211 to get guidance.

“Filing taxes is nobody’s favorite thing, and it’s an especially daunting task during the complexities of COVID-19,” says Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California. “We’re trying to break down the information into actionable items so individuals and families don’t lose money through unnecessary interest payments and may even find additional money through tax credits,” Manzo added.

FOR RELEASE July 14, 2020

Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Spanish Version, Click READ More

United Way encourages tax filers with children under 6 to see if they qualify for California’s $1000 Young Child Tax Credit

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 14, 2020) ‒  California United Ways want to inform low to middle-income hardworking families that it is still not too late to file 2019 taxes for the impending July 15* federal deadline and they may even be able to receive additional money with state credits like the Young Child Tax Credit. This tax credit enables those who qualify for another tax credit, California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), and have a child under the age of 6 as of the end of the tax year to receive an additional $1,000 credit. Families can claim this credit by filing or amending a state income tax return. United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.org hotline and texting options provide several ways to aid Californians with their taxes in a free, quick, and trustworthy way. Any immediate questions pertaining to tax filing can be answered by calling 1-866-698-9435, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., PST, Monday through Friday. Additional tax guidance can be found by texting Taxes to 211-211.

Research shows that families who receive additional tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, have, who do better in school, and are more likely to attend college, and earn more as adults.

“The Young Children’s Tax Credit can make a crucial difference for lower-income and vulnerable families,” said Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California. “Especially during this difficult-to-navigate pandemic, we want to spread the word so that as many families as possible claim the credits they deserve.

Many families also may not realize they can file retroactively for up to three years of refundable credits that they did not claim in prior years,” Manzo added. The extension for filing this year applies retroactively, so you can get the help you need to file your returns for 2019, 2018, 2017, and even 2016.

To schedule a virtual visit to complete taxes with the help of a volunteer tax preparer, click here.