For Individuals and Families: United Way of King County offers free tax preparation assistance is available at 17 different locations in King County for people who made less than $50,000 last year. Tax sites are staffed by volunteers who can assist people in preparing their tax returns and provide information about tax credits that help working families increase their income and save money for the future.

AARP - Seattle Office coordinates free income tax assistance programs from February 1 through April 15 each year. The service is available to people of all ages who are middle- and low-income.

Senior Services Income Tax Assistance provides information on locations of tax assistance sites and programs which will send income tax assistance volunteers to the homes of homebound seniors or people with disabilities. Program begins in February.

I-CAN! E-file offers free online community resource at www.icanefile.org that allows one to file their federal tax return by mail or by electronic filing at no cost. Free online chat is available to answer any questions about using I-CAN E-File. You can generally use I-CAN!™ E-file unless you or your employer have a non US address, own a business, are a church employee or clergy member, or sold real estate in 2009.

For Small Businesses: Highline Community College StartZone’s Business Tax Center is offering free Schedule C tax preparation workshops and tax filing assistance. This program assists low-income small business owners in many ways:

• Other low-income tax prep sites generally do not provide Schedule C filing assistance for sole proprietors with self-employment income.
• For many small sole proprietorships with limited household incomes, finding competent and affordable tax preparation services is a challenge.
• Self-employed individuals are often not aware that the Earned Income Tax Credit and Making Work Pay Credit applies to self-employment income as well as W-2 wage income. As a result, small business owners fail to access one of the largest sources of federal funding available for asset and business development.
• Small business owners can take this opportunity to learn about business finance as well as the many free and low-cost business development services in the area. This program can help low-income small business owners move from the informal economy (i.e., “cash only under the table”) to the formal economy where they have a better chance to grow their businesses and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact Nigam Shah, StartZone's Business Tax Center Manager, by phone at (206) 878-3710, ext. 6510 or by email at nshah@highline.edu.

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Way Back Inn offers a service that was recently added to Community Resources Online. They provide rent or move-in assistance once per lifetime to low-income families of Renton, Kent and Tukwila. They will not usually assist with refundable deposits, but can assist with first month's rent and past due utility bills.

The Flu Hotline, provided as an emergency service by Public Health - Seattle & King County, transitioned to recordings only on January 22, 2010. Callers (including Spanish speakers) can still listen to important health and safety information about H1N1 influenza 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by dialing (877) 903-KING (5464).

The GriefWorks Board of Directors voted to dissolve the organization as a 501c3 on December 31st, 2009. If you have any questions, you may call (253) 333-9420.

A new Health Point location opened on February 1, 2010. 10808 NE 145th St, Suite B, Bothell, WA 98011. Phone: (425) 486-0658.

YouthCare - Straley House is now named Youthcare - Catalyst at Straley.

Deafmd.org is a new agency added to Community Resources Online that provides ASL videos about health issues to the deaf world.

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February Resource Highlights
National Eating Disorders Association is sponsoring National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) held during the last week of February each year. Call for information and referral or access referral lists on the Web site at http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

The City of Bellevue provides up to 75% discount on utility bills (water, sewer, garbage) for older adults and citizens with documented disabilities in the city of Bellevue. Senior and renters with disabilities who do not actually pay a utility bill, but pay through their rent, can also receive a rebate. Applicants can make appointments with city staff February 1 through November 30.

Seattle Children's - Stanley Stamm Children's Hospital Camp coordinates a week-long summer camp in August for children with medical problems that disqualify them from other camping programs. Applications are distributed beginning in February each year and the camp is usually full by April 1st.

Washington Women in Need provides financial assistance for health care. Focuses on preventive care including physical exams, hearing exams, Pap smears and mammograms. Does not pay for hospitalizations, cosmetic dentistry, braces or implants. Dental care may include major restorative work. Eye care may include exams and glasses. Assists between 20 and 30 women during each funding cycle. Pays a set fee schedule, and the upper limit of the grant is $3,000. Visit Web site in February to learn about the application process. Next grant opening will be in early spring of 2010.

Master Builders Care Foundation "Rampathon" weekend event coordinates volunteers who build wheelchair access ramps for low-income homeowners with long-term physical needs. Applications are accepted through February annually for the May event.

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March Resource Highlights
Highline Community College provides an annual Women's Celebration and Women in Action Awards this spring. For information, call (206) 878-3710, Extension 3340 or e-mail Women's Programs: wopro@highline.edu.

Overlake Service League provides camp, summer school and tutoring scholarships for children in low-income families and children with disabilities. Must apply starting in March for camp and summer school. Apply for tutoring assistance year-round.

Families for Effective Autism Treatment - FEAT of Washington works with teens to improve their self-management and social problem-solving skills within a service learning context during two, two-week sessions in July. Student may attend one or both two-week sessions. Service-learning offers a unique opportunity for young people to get involved with their communities in a tangible way by integrating service projects with learning. Students are enrolled May through June through FEAT's parent network. Applications are first distributed in March to the membership.

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