Disabled and Need Tax Assistance? United Way Can Help

By Doug Sawyer

April 15 is just around the corner, but if you haven’t started working on your taxes, don’t worry. There’s still time, and United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) is helping locals file – and maximize – their income tax returns.

Thanks to new federal grant support, UWSD is expanding its free tax prep services and benefits screening and making them more accessible to San Diegans with disabilities.

A $12,500 matching grant — the first-ever that UWSD has received from the federal government — enables trained, volunteer tax preparers to go to organizations that serve individuals with disabilities. This assists those who cannot travel to one of over 100 local Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. 

Free tax assistance is just one of the many ways in which UWSD seeks to help San Diegans manage their money and build a strong future. The nonprofit’s income support services can make the difference for low- to moderate-income working families and individuals.

A long-time leader in the local Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition, United Way has helped bring back more than $44 million in EITC dollars to San Diego’s local economy.

“Many individuals in the disability community are working but are unaware of the potential tax credits they could be receiving,” says Shaina Gross, senior community impact manager for UWSD. “We are partnering with staff at nonprofits so that they are educated, and can then educate their clients.”

Additional grant support from Walmart, a long-time EITC supporter that increased its grant, will also aid UWSD’s free tax prep and benefits screening services around the county.

Bank of America, another strong supporter, increased its grant to further strengthen UWSD’s commitment to providing tax preparation assistance to locals in the most financial need.

For more information regarding United Way of San Diego County’s free tax assistance programs, visit uwsd.org. 

Volunteers are also needed, for both general and specialized tasks. Learn more about becoming a tax prep volunteer.