Press Releases
United Ways of California Denounces the Federal Decision to Halt the 2020 Census Count Made in the Wake of an Executive Order that Seeks to Skew Apportionment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 213.476.8742
United Ways of California Joins Over 500 Philanthropic Leaders in Denouncing Federal Decision to Eliminate the Final Month of 2020 Census Operations:
UWCA President and CEO, Peter Manzo, along with grantmaking executives across the United States, wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham, stating that the decision to stop collecting household data on September 30, (instead of October 31) will prove detrimental to hard-to-count Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic
[Los Angeles, CA] – United Ways of California, the statewide organization supporting California’s network of 30 local United Ways, has called on U.S. Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, and U.S. Census Bureau Director, Steven Dillingham, to rescind their decision to drastically cut short 2020 Census operations, and to restore their commitment to conducting the constitutionally-mandated count through October 31, as previously announced. Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California, is joined by the leaders of over 500 nonprofit funders across the country, in calling on the federal government to devote adequate time to the significant enumeration and data processing that remains unfinished. This correspondence reflects an unprecedented consensus among national, state and local grantmakers and philanthropic institutions that have given more than $100 million to help ensure a full and accurate count.
The Administration plans to end not only door-to-door census enumeration, but to close self-response operations as well. Please click here to view the letter and list of signatories.
While Taxes are Due Today United Ways of California Says ‘It May Not be Too Late to Do Your Taxes, for Free, with Expert Guidance’
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.
United Ways of California Helps Californian Families Count Down to July 15 Tax Filing Deadline: ‘You May Qualify for Additional Credits; Ask Free Tax Experts’
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.
United Ways of California Helps Californians Count Down to July 15 Tax Filing Deadline: ‘Know the Facts; File for Free’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Spanish Version is available when clicking READ MORE.
United Way “Tax Preparation Checklist” helps tax filers better prepare and file their taxes virtually with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 13, 2020) ‒ California United Ways and partner Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs across the state are making their services available virtually, for hard-working, low to middle-income California workers who have just a few remaining days to file their taxes before the extended deadline of July 15, 2020.* United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.org, a 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 866-698-9435, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST. Additional guidance can be found by texting TAXES to 211-211.
“With COVID-19, in-person tax appointments might be unsettling for high-risk individuals, or visits may have been postponed while trying to wait out the climbing number of positive cases,” said Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California. “United Ways wants Californians to know the facts, to get informed and to explore all their options for a free, safe, and virtual option, that in many cases can help you find additional sources of income through tax credits,” Manzo added.
To schedule a virtual visit, click here. Proceed through the dialogue box and enter in the required information to set up your virtual vita appointment.
Approaching the Last Weekend before Taxes are Due Wednesday, July 15: United Ways of California says ‘It’s Not Too Late to Do Your Taxes, Free, with Expert Guidance’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please go to READ MORE for the Spanish version.
United Way offers free tax filing services as Americans struggle with financial insecurity in the midst of the pandemic
July 10, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA) -- During these especially financially pressing times, United Ways of California is providing a free way to make a stressful task much less difficult. United Ways of California continues to build resiliency and financial security for vulnerable populations and hard-working, lower-income Californians by establishing and amplifying critical resources. Visit MyFreeTaxes.org to get help with tax filings which are due next week, postmarked on or before Wednesday, July 15, to get connected to services that provide free, virtual assistance to those who still need to do their taxes. Additionally, you can text TAXES to 211-211 to get guidance.
While July 15 is the deadline to file a tax return and pay federal taxes, if you don’t request an extension and/or pay by July 15, you may be hit with penalties and interest due on the amount you owe. It is still a good idea to file and pay sooner than later. You can still apply for an additional extension to file federal taxes until October 15 and for California state taxes you have an automatic extension to file the return. If you are getting a refund, the penalty to file is not assessed and you can file and claim a refund for up to three years for the federal and four years for the state from the due date. Several VITA sites, partners, subgrantees, MyFreeTaxes.org will continue to operate until October 15, 2020.
CalEITC Expanded to Include ITIN Tax Filers With Young Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes-Irueste, Communications Director, United Ways of California, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 213 476 8742
United Ways of California Praise Governor Newsom and Legislative Leaders for Expanding Earned Income Tax Credit to Immigrant Workers with Young Children; Call for Urgent Full Inclusion
“Great Start, Right Direction, More to Do”
(Los Angeles, CA) – After years of advocacy, especially on behalf of low-income workers, United Ways of California applauds Governor Newsom and the California Legislature for extending the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) to working taxpayers whose households include filers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and have young children under 6 years of age. This is a good step, but there is more California needs to do to meet the urgent needs of low-income working families. The expansion agreed to by the Governor and Legislature will reach approximately 32,000 to 46,000 tax filers and their families, leaving out a vast majority of ITIN filers, including over 178,000 children. With income disparities growing throughout the state, California’s advocates have been pushing for an inclusive CalEITC for over five years. Now, with a looming recession, California needs this inclusive policy to protect the state’s nearly 600,000 individuals and their families, who are excluded from federal pandemic support, from falling deeper into poverty, and also to boost spending to help local economies recover.
2020-21 State Budget Deal: CalEITC Coalition Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 22, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes-Irueste, Communications Director, United Ways of California, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sumeet Bal, Communications Director, California Immigrant Policy Center, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shimica Gaskins, Executive Director, Children’s Defense Fund California, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
California Advocates Praise Legislative Leaders on Earned Income Tax Credit Inclusion for Immigrant Workers with Young Children; Call for Urgent Full Inclusion
(Los Angeles, CA) – California’s Legislature took a stand for children today by insisting the final state budget deal agreed upon with Governor Newsom includes filers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and have children under 6 in the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). During a time of budget deficits, this win was hard-fought for immigrant workers and families who too often are excluded from the most basic public support.
Today the CalEITC Advocacy Coalition recognizes the work of so many leaders critical to ensuring this milestone was reached, including community voices, Legislative Budget Leadership, Legislative Caucuses, big-city Mayors, and economic experts. This partial inclusion will reach approximately 32,000 to 46,000 immigrant tax filers and their families – families who are bearing a disproportionate share of COVID-19-related job losses. We cannot overstate the impact that expanding the most powerful poverty-fighting tool will have for families with young children who for too long have been working and paying into a tax system that discriminates against them, simply for the number they use to file taxes.
Black Lives Matter: Our Collective Commitment to Racial Justice
Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Statewide statement on behalf of our network of California United Ways) — Californians from every background and generation are braving a global pandemic to march for racial justice. All across the Golden State, we are saying the names George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many more Black Americans who have been unjustifiably killed by police.
California’s United Ways share in the deep sorrow and anger of our neighbors, and we stand in solidarity with those demanding justice and change in order to overcome the continued loss and devaluing of Black lives, rooted in a deeply painful history of violence and police brutality against our communities of color, particularly our Black communities.
United Way’s mission is to fight for the education, health, and financial stability of every person in every community. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be healthy, to learn, and to live with dignity. Our society has an obligation to work to remove barriers for and provide support for all people. We must work for concrete changes in policy and policing to reduce risk to Black and Brown lives. We must fight for equity, recognize that our communities of color deserve more than life, they deserve hopes and dreams, the right to access quality schools, safe and affordable neighborhoods, jobs and careers with economic mobility.
United Ways of California Rolls Out KinshipCareCA.org, a Kinship Navigator, to Celebrate World Foster Day on May 31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 29, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
United Ways of California Rolls Out KinshipCareCA.org, a Kinship Navigator, to Celebrate World Foster Day on May 31
New statewide website offers kinship and foster families access to critical resources, services and live help call specialists
(Los Angeles, CA) — Preparing for World Foster Day on May 31, United Ways of California, the state network of California United Ways, and California Department of Social Services today announce plans to roll out a new website, KinshipCareCA.org, a free, one-stop navigator to meet the immediate needs of kinship caregivers and foster parents, helping them locate nearby resources, access benefits, and/or receive general support via its online search feature and dedicated team of highly trained call specialists. The website is aimed to increase the capacity of kinship caregivers in providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children in their care.
Economic Justice Advocates Respond to Governor’s May Revise: Stop Excluding Californians From CalEITC; Critical to COVID-19 Recovery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 14, 2020
Contact: Unai Montes, (213) 476-8742, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Economic Justice Advocates Respond to Governor’s May Revise: Stop Excluding Californians From CalEITC; Critical to COVID-19 Recovery
United Ways of California together with a coalition of 60 organizations make urgent plea, highlight need for outreach to eligible households to access poverty-fighting power of earned income tax credit
(Los Angeles, CA) — In response to the Governor’s May Revision to the proposed 2020-2021 state budget announced today, United Ways of California and a coalition of 60 organizations thank Governor Newsom for continuing the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) program, but call out continuing to exclude hundreds of thousands of working taxpayers from anti-poverty tax credits designed to reward work.
“Now more than ever we need to make California, a California for all,” says Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California. “While we applaud the Governor for keeping the CalEITC in the budget, all hard-working, tax-paying Californians regardless of their immigration status deserve equitable treatment, most especially during this pandemic,” Manzo added.
California United Ways Announce Statewide Relief Fund to Support those Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2020
CONTACT:
Unai Montes-Irueste
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(213) 476-8742
California United Ways Announce Statewide Relief Fund to Support those Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Funds will support local United Ways in their efforts to support working families, due to quarantine or disruption of income, and to support the coordination of community relief efforts
LOS ANGELES—As California responds to the coronavirus pandemic, United Ways of California announces the creation of the California United Ways COVID-19 Relief Fund to relieve hardship for vulnerable working families throughout the state, and to support the coordination of local community relief efforts.
“Governor Newsom and state and local officials throughout California are moving quickly to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California. “California United Ways are doing their part to help working families experiencing the loss of income due to quarantine or shelter in place orders, sensitive families and children affected by closures of schools and child care centers, seniors who have limited ability to access food and medical prescriptions, and others affected by this crisis.”
Coalition Calls on Governor Newsom to Make CalEITC Available to Immigrant Workers Unable to Access Federal Safety-Net Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 16, 2020
Contact:
Unai Montes (Bilingual)
Communications Director, United Ways of California
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(213) 476 8742 cell
CalEITC Coalition Urgently Calls on Governor Newsom to Deploy Critical Resources Now to Boost Anti-Poverty Tax Credits to All Working Californians, Regardless of Immigration Status, In Light of California COVID-19 State of Emergency
600,000 Californians without SSNs Prepare and File Income Taxes with ITINs; Their Exclusion From CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credit Makes Their 200,000 (Mostly U.S. Born) Children Even More Vulnerable in Wake of Economic Response to Nation’s Health Pandemic
What: The Coronavirus outbreak is already having a significant economic impact on our communities, hitting some Californians harder than others. Legislative champions and the CalEITC Coalition—made up of over 45 California anti-poverty, immigrants’ rights, faith-based organizations and children’s advocates — continue to build momentum and speak out about the unjust exclusion of ITIN filers from the CalEITC, one of our state’s most powerful means of lifting families out of poverty and buffering against economic crisis. Additionally, ITIN filers are still not allowed to take advantage of the Young Child Tax Credit. With our nation in a state of emergency and the level of economic uncertainty ramping up, CalEITC is calling for Governor Newsom to change these two tax credits immediately, in time to promote the programs for an April 15, 2020 income tax filing season….making a California for ALL.
Statement by Peter Manzo, President & CEO of United Ways of California Regarding Governor Newsom's January 2020-21 Budget Proposal
For Immediate Release
January 10, 2020
Unai Montes, (Bilingual)
213-476-8742
Governor’s January Budget Invests in Housing, Homelessness, and Supports School-Community Collaboratives; But Misses Opportunity to Make CalEITC/Young Child Tax Credit for All
United Ways of California, representing 30 local United Ways across the state, praises investments to counter the housing and homelessness crisis; expresses excitement over decision to fund innovation in local education agency partnerships designed to meet the needs of students; disappointment in the continued exclusion of households using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) from tax credits in today’s state budget proposal
(Los Angeles, CA) — Statement from Peter Manzo, President and CEO, United Ways of California, (UWCA) regarding Governor Newsom’s 2020-2021 budget:
“We are pleased to see so many of our shared values reflected in the Governor’s January Budget proposal. California continues to experience a revenue surplus heading into 2020, giving the Governor and policymakers greater opportunities to make critical investments in issues facing our state, amounting to a record-high $222.2 billion state budget, while still continuing to ensure a robust rainy day fund. In the coming months, we look forward to a vigorous negotiation process with lawmakers and advocates alike to agree on a final budget that further reflects the values and needs of all Californians, especially those households that are struggling financially to stay afloat.
Joint statement on opportunity to invest in proven program to bridge silos and facilitate partnerships between schools and nonprofit service providers
For Immediate Release
January 10, 2020
Unai Montes, (Bilingual)
213-476-8742
Governor Newsom’s Budget Proposal Targets Opportunities to Foster Innovative Partnerships Across Silos and Sectors via Community School Investment and Makes Investments in Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Higher Education
With the promise of universal screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the horizon, California’s Departments of Health and Education need pathways for coordinating and integrating service delivery, and the community schools model holds great promise for addressing the needs of students and their families
(Sacramento, CA) — Today the Governor released his budget in which substantial funding is proposed to be allocated towards California’s public education system. We thank the Administration for its continued commitment to invest in the future of children and families by prioritizing education funding, while better recognizing the intersection of academic achievement and the social determinants of health.
Joint statement on the ongoing exclusion of ITIN tax filers from CalEITC/Young Child Tax Credit
For Immediate Release
January 10, 2020
Unai Montes, (Bilingual)
213-476-8742
Advocacy Coalition of Over 30 California Organizations Urge Governor Newsom to Add Tax Filers With Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to Refundable Tax Credits via State Budget
California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) Advocacy Coalition notes that including hard-working California immigrants with an ITIN to both the CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credit would help to lift 200,000 children out of poverty
(Sacramento, CA) — Today the CalEITC Advocacy Coalition urges equitable benefits for all hard-working Californians, regardless of their immigration status. Currently, Californians who file taxes with ITINs—due to their immigration status—are not eligible for the CalEITC or Young Child Tax Credit. Over 200,000 of California’s children are excluded from these critical benefits.
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