Authorizing the City Council's Committees on Commerce and Economic Development and Public Health and Human Services to hold joint public hearings on how the consolidation of anti-poverty applications will stimulate the city's economy while at the same time helping those who most need these services.

WHEREAS, The Benefit Bank (TBB) is an Internet based, counselor assisted software suite that offers free services to low and moderate income individuals and families and connects individuals and families to existing tax refunds and public benefits for which they qualify and in so doing helps them move from the dangers of poverty toward self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, The Benefits Bank is a participating member of The Campaign for Working Families, the premier free tax preparation program in Philadelphia that has an expanding network of sites helping thousands of Philadelphians secure the Earned Income Tax Credit and as well as other tax credits and to file their taxes for free. The campaign also has developed a valuable program of helping low and moderate income consumers use their refunds strategically helping them to find low-cost high-value credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts that let them spend their money in more efficient ways and build sound credit. The campaign is also working to assure that homeowners who have been caught up in the subprime mortgage crisis get the counseling and financial support to remain in their homes; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 29,000 Philadelphians who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit and not receiving it, for an estimated $48.6 million in unclaimed EITC; and

WHEREAS, 51,702 Philadelphians are among the 824,000 Pennsylvanians eligible for but not receiving Food Stamps; and

WHEREAS, 45,000 Philadelphia children are among the 146,000 Pennsylvania children eligible for but not receiving health insurance; and

WHEREAS, 42,750 seniors who qualify for Rent and Property Tax Rebates of $650 per year do not secure this important cash benefit; and

WHEREAS, the consolidation of anti-poverty applications will not only benefit the recipients, but will also pump more dollars into our local economy, now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes City Council’s Committees on Commerce and Economic Development and Public Health and Human Services to hold joint public hearings on how the consolidation of anti-poverty applications will stimulate the City’s economy while at the same time helping those who most need these services.

End