The recession is taking its toll on working families. Millions are living in asset poverty, meaning they don’t have enough savings to survive for three months if they were to lose their job, or suffer a medical emergency. Wealth inequality is at historic highs, jobs are less secure, and family incomes are increasingly volatile. Amidst all of these challenges, there is positive news from the legislative front that will empower California’s families.
At the end of the 2011 legislative session, Governor Jerry Brown signed a series of bills supported by a broad and diverse coalition.. Together, the bills streamline eligibility to critical state health and social programs, spur greater financial inclusion and financial education, protect indigent residents from crippling medical debt, and notify taxpayers of their hard earned tax credits. We welcome you to join our efforts and help spread the word about these new state laws and programs described below.
AB 6 (Fuentes) CalFresh
Increases access to the state’s food-stamp programs by eliminating the statewide finger imaging system and reporting requirements.
AB 152 (Fuentes) Healthy Food Access
Provides a tax credit to California growers who donate fresh fruits or vegetables to food banks and creates the State Emergency Food Assistance Program.
AB 509 (Skinner) Earned Income Tax Credit
Requires all state departments and agencies that serve low-income residents to notify recipients of their eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
AB 597 (Eng) Consumer Financial Education Fund
Creates the Consumer Financial Education Fund to allow the state Controller to raise private funds for statewide consumer financial education efforts.
AB 922 (Monning) Office of the Patient Advocate
Strengthens the Office of the Patient Advocate to empower consumers searching for accurate, and up-to-date health care information and assistance.
AB 1296 (Bonilla) Health Care Eligibility, Enrollment, and Retention Act
Requires the Health and Human Services Agency to create a seamless application system to provide consumers easy access to public health programs.
AB 1388 (Wieckowski) Earnings Withholding Orders
Ensures that medical debts do not drive low-income people into hunger or homelessness by allowing them to apply for an exemption preventing wage garnishment.
Please mark your calendar for this upcoming event.
Tuesday, November 15, Marriott Hotel, Burbank
Addressing Poverty Through Asset Building
Join us as we explore best practices and policies that will shape the future of Asset Building. Learn what you can do to help low-income Californians claim available federal tax credits and build financial stability.
Click here for details.
We welcome you to join the growing financial empowerment movement in California. Please contact me at calderon@newamerica.net for additional information.
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