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Paying and filing yearly taxes can be a stressful and confusing process, especially as tax law differs based on each person’s location and personal financial situation. This guide introduces service providers to the basics of tax law and tax obligations for newcomer clients.
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This online self-directed course is designed for newcomer service providers who support clients in navigating and filing U.S. income taxes, and newcomers who want to gain knowledge and understanding about U.S. income taxes.
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Many newcomers who practice Islam adhere to Sharia-compliant finance principles, which emphasize ethical practices and prohibit interest-based transactions. However, finding financial products that align with these principles while ensuring safety and avoiding exploitation can be challenging. This guide equips service providers with essential knowledge on Islamic finance principles, ethical banking alternatives, and strategies to help…
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Led by: Kevin Davis, Sr. Program Officer, Workforce Development IRC PE Guest speaker: Maria Sigalas, Sr. Program Officer, Financial Capabilities IRC PE Episode overview: Finances are a primary concern for many newcomer families. However, newcomer women are often underrepresented in many economic empowerment and financial capabilities programs offered by refugee service providers. What are…
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This blog post, produced by Switchboard with assistance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), describes how service providers can help clients prevent and report fraud, identifies common scams that often affect refugees and newcomers, and shares resources to build newcomers’ financial literacy. This blog post accompanies Switchboard’s information guide Reporting Scams and Fraud to…
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A refugee’s resettlement journey involves not only acclimating to a new environment, but also learning the intricacies of a new financial system often vastly different from that of their home country. Navigating personal finance is thus a challenging task for many newcomers. Gaining a thorough understanding of the U.S. financial system empowers newcomers with the…
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Refugee and newcomer clients may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) depending on their age or health condition. However, applying for SSI is a long and complicated process. With contributions from Kara Friesen, Bayle Conrad, Dr. Andrea Green, and Dr. Meera Siddharth, this blog post answers some of the most common FAQs about SSI…
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Asset building and self-sufficiency are important goals for newly resettled refugees in the United States. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) can play a vital role in developing financial literacy and independence through matching funds and building assets. This resource, created by Switchboard, will assist service providers in understanding IDAs, their benefits, and provide additional resources.
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Refugee and immigrant service providers play a critical role in protecting newcomers from scams and fraud. By encouraging reporting to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), adopting trauma-informed approaches, understanding common scams targeting immigrants, and offering additional wraparound support, service providers can help clients navigate the challenges they face and empower them to make informed decisions…
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Limited but strong evidence supports financial capability interventions. Studies with low-income populations find that financial capability interventions lead to numerous positive outcomes such as increased income and savings, better job placement and retention, higher credit scores, and progress toward financial self-sufficiency. Certain characteristics of financial capability interventions can enhance their effectiveness. Bundled or integrated…
