Accessing the Ohio Benefit Bank

Background
Information

From: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=323

More than $1.7 billion (2010 est.) in tax credits and public benefits are not
claimed every year by eligible Ohioans, and more than 95% of these unclaimed
funds are federal dollars.  If claimed, these funds would provide economic
help for eligible Ohioans and economic development for local communities where
the funds would be spent. 

To help eligible Ohioans claim tax credits and public benefits, Governor Ted
Strickland is supporting an initiative called The Ohio Benefit Bank
(OBB).  The OBB is a web-based, counselor-assisted program that
connects low and moderate-income Ohioans with free income tax preparation
and access to potential public benefits. 

The OBB is offered in a public-private partnership between the Office of Governor Ted
Strickland, Governor's
Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Ohio Department of Job and Family
Services, Ohio
Department of Development, Ohio
Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, and more than 1100
faith-based and community organzations across Ohio that sponsor hundreds
of OBB sites. 

The OBB takes numerous, complex and lengthy tax and benefits forms and reduces
them to simple, easy-to-understand questions written at a fourth-grade
level.  At OBB sites, trained counselors guide clients through questions
seeking information needed for tax returns and to project eligibility for work
support tax credits and public benefits.  Individuals sit
side-by-side with counselors who assist them with entering information into an
internet-based system.  Once an OBB client provides all necessary
information, the answers to the questions posed by the counselor populate the
fields in the appropriate tax and benefits forms.  The results are legible, accurate tax returns and benefits forms ready
for submission to the appropriate government agency.  

The OBB e-files tax returns and benefit
forms.  The OBB also sponsors a new self-service web site for
free federal and state income tax preparation and electronic filing.  OBB
tax services are available to Ohioans earning under $57,000 per
year.  

Trained counselors staff Benefit Bank sites in all of Ohio's 88 counties
where they help prepare and file federal and Ohio income
tax returns at no cost to eligible Ohioans. Free income
tax assistance is also available through an online, self-service
program. 

Ohioans can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits
such as health care coverage, home energy assistance,
child care subsidies, and food stamps.

Procedures

1.  Explain to the students that there are a
variety of tax-supported and privately-funded programs available to low and
moderate income Ohio residents.   Briefly
discuss why tax dollars and private funds are given to provide services to
those who cannot afford them or who are unable, for whatever reason, to access
available services.  Review the
background information above.

2.  Ask students: What kinds of services should
be available to all citizens, despite their ability to pay?  This may invoke many opinions and
debate.  To keep the politics and
personal values out of the discussion, keep the discussion to “brainstorming”
process.  Make a list of possible
services.

Examples:
health care, food assistance, tax assistance, senior services, etc.

Ohio
Benefit Bank programs are listed at: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=321

3.  Introduce the “Ohio Benefit Bank” through the
OBB web pages. 

Introduction:
www.OBB.ohio.gov

History:
http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=324

NOTE:
Print promotional materials about the OBB can be ordered through the OBB web
page.

4.  Introduce the eligibility requirements of the
major programs.  http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=321

5.  Discuss the “general idea’ of the Ohio
Benefit Bank.”   Identify the “pros” and
“cons” of this kind of program and use of tax dollars. Try to avoid the
“political” arguments.