IDA Initiative Forums: Recent Posts

IDA Initiative Forums: Recent Posts http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Just another bbPress community en Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:42:31 +0000 JoyH on "Native American Per Capita Income" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=30#post-84 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:33:29 +0000 JoyH 84@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ In accordance with HUD's "Part 5" income definition, the first $2,000 of per capita income is not included in income calculations unless the funds come from bingo or gambling proceeds. I revised the Standard Operating Procedures to reflect this. Haley will post the updated SOP's soon. I'd also like to propose this working definition of per capita income: Per capita income is income received from judgments awarded by the Indian Claims Commission, or from funds held in trust for an Indian tribe by the Secretary of the Interior. If you think this needs tweaking and would like to propose an alternate definition, please post something here or send me an email. Thanks Maggie and Deanne. rebekah on "Counties in OT" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=31#post-83 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:13:57 +0000 rebekah 83@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ I actually thought middle of nowhere and far out where set up for us down here. :) Thanks Joy for having Tim set this up. JoyH on "Word version of the RFA cover sheet" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=35#post-82 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:55:05 +0000 JoyH 82@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ A "fill-able" Word version of the RFA cover sheet is now available on the sidebar of <a href="http://www.tnpf.org." rel="nofollow">www.tnpf.org.</a> We're still in the process of uploading it to the forms section this site. JoyH on "When and how will NPF/PSU access credit scores" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=26#post-81 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:34:15 +0000 JoyH 81@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Yes, Karen will run reports based on what's entered into Outcome Tracker. JoyH on "Counties in OT" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=31#post-80 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:32:47 +0000 JoyH 80@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hi Ben - We sent an Outcome Tracker change request to Tim asking him to fix this for everyone. I'm hoping the change will be made by 2009. Thanks for your question, Joy mreilly on "Data Entry Guide & Categories" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=34#post-79 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:28:23 +0000 mreilly 79@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hi, everyone! CASA staff was at a regional training on the October 30 FO call. I'm trying to get up to speed with the information covered. Did anyone take any notes that they'd be willing to share or would anyone mind filling me in? Thanks a bunch! mreilly on "Native American Per Capita Income" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=30#post-78 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:19:22 +0000 mreilly 78@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hope this response is (somewhat) helpful: According to the admin rules, a "household having an income equal to or less than 80 percent of the median household income for the area as determined by the Department, giving consideration to area household data published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development." Where does a per capita payment appear, if at all, on a tax return? Is it part of adjusted gross income? Maybe start there and see if the IRS has any guidance beyond what HUD says. Michelle P on "Demographic Report - Current Account Holder, Graduates" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=33#post-77 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:04:09 +0000 Michelle P 77@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ We need a demographic report uniquely for our current IDA participants (meaning those clients who are actively saving, not terminated, not graduated) and also the same demographic report uniquely for graduates and one uniquely for terminations. (The current IDA Demographic Report includes both current participants and graduates) I am wondering if someone else has developed this already and would be willing to share it with other FOs? deanneg on "Reports for Finance and Accounting Office" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=32#post-76 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:00:25 +0000 deanneg 76@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hello, I'd like to know what reports other FOs run for their internal Finance offices? Our Finance office will track our clients, but require more detailed information than our reports to NPF, such as all client deposits, matching interest, etc. If anyone can send me an email with the reports that work for them, that would be <a href="mailto:great-deanneg@nayapdx.org">great-deanneg@nayapdx.org</a> Thank you for your help, Deanne Ben on "Counties in OT" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=31#post-75 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:03:56 +0000 Ben 75@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ In my OT (and in PHC's) the county list is: None, Clackamas, middle-ofnowhere, and far-out. Do we have to fix those individually in our systems or is that something npf can coordinate done for us so we all have identical lists? Ben on "When and how will NPF/PSU access credit scores" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=26#post-74 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:01:28 +0000 Ben 74@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ The changes are just tracked via what we put into outcome tracker. JoyH on "When and how will NPF/PSU access credit scores" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=26#post-73 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:51:57 +0000 JoyH 73@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hi all - I checked with Karen about this. Here are her comments: "The data we use is de-identified. That means that we do not have information connected with it, such as names or addresses, that allows us to know whose scores we are looking at. We report it out in aggregate form, such as average credit score at intake and at exit, as well as average change in credit score from intake to exit." Please let let us know if you have further questions. Joy JoyH on "2009 Application Deadline" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=27#post-72 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:46:05 +0000 JoyH 72@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ The application is due Jan. 5th - sorry for any confusion. We're changing the NPF site right away. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Deanne, Joy deanneg on "Native American Per Capita Income" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=30#post-71 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:33:05 +0000 deanneg 71@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hello,(Please feel fee to correct me on any of this, I am not an expert on this topic) I know that some of us are working with the Native American population in Oregon and I wanted to open a discussion about calculating income, specifically how should we calculate per capita payments? First, to dispel the myth about per capitas, I need to explain that only a very small portion of the Native American population receives per capita payments from their tribal gaming operations. Most casinos are just breaking even while the population remains the poorest in the country. For the few who receive per capita payments, how should we calculate this into their income qualification, if at all? We do have applicants that receive per capita checks, but the amount they receive are totally reliant on gaming revenues, therefore the checks fluctuate. Please note that each tribe that dispurses per capita payments has their own established regulations for who should receive the checks, for example there are some tribes that only allow checks to go to tribal members living on the reservation. Our questions are: How can we decide whether or not to calculate this as income and should we be using the HUD guidelines for income calculations, which allow for some exclusions to income calculations with per capitas? deanneg on "2009 application-map of geographic area" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=29#post-70 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:23:51 +0000 deanneg 70@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hello, For our 2008 application, we used text to describe our geographic area instead of providing a map of the geographic area we serve that is required under section V:appendix. Do any FOs have a map that they use that they would be willing to post? Thank you, Deanne deanneg on "Reasonable Match for small business IDAs" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=28#post-69 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:20:01 +0000 deanneg 69@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hello, Can those of you currently working with small business IDAs tell me your average match amount provided to a client? We are trying to establish an amount that is reasonable and if there's data out there or if organizations have their opinions about this, please share. Thank you, Deanne deanneg on "2009 Application Deadline" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=27#post-68 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:16:50 +0000 deanneg 68@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hello, On the NPF website, it states that 2009 applications are due Jan. 15th and on the application itself it states they are due Jan. 5th. Does anyone know the actual deadline? Thanks, Deanne Thomas on "When and how will NPF/PSU access credit scores" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=26#post-67 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:34:57 +0000 Thomas 67@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ As we finalize our arrangement with TransUnion we have a couple of questions: 1) At what point do NPF/PSU access the credit score information? Quarterly, annually, other? 2) In what format do you access this information? Or put differently, do you access this data through a consolidated report showing only change in score from entry to exit or do you access more detailed information, thus identifying the score with a participant name, SSN etc.? This will influence the language used in our consent forms etc. Thanks for your response, Thomas JoyH on ""Back filling" spaces open before the 2007 rules change" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=24#post-66 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:03:14 +0000 JoyH 66@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hi Thomas - Yes, just please note any changes to your budget in your quaterly reports. haleycloyd on "IDA RFA 2009" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=22#post-65 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:58:55 +0000 haleycloyd 65@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Thomas, The coversheet is on the Reports and Forms page under 2009 RFA Components. Let me know if you have any issues with it. Thanks! haleycloyd on "New Look for Best Practices" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=25#post-64 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:13:25 +0000 haleycloyd 64@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ After realizing how long the list of documents on the Best Practices page had gotten, we decided it was time for a little reorganization. The documents are now organized by category rather than date. And speaking of dates, they're arranged from newest to oldest now. Hope you like the new look! Thomas on "IDA RFA 2009" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=22#post-63 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:47:35 +0000 Thomas 63@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Haley - would you post the RFA coversheet on the forms/documents section please - I am not able to access the link that Cynthia sent out earlier this month. TJ Thomas on ""Back filling" spaces open before the 2007 rules change" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=24#post-62 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:44:09 +0000 Thomas 62@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ So - just to clarify. Any account opened after 10/2/2007 may receive up to $3,000 per twelve month period, regardless of when the funds were awarded to the FO. For example, an FO can apply the new rules to IDA funds received in 2004 as long as the account is opened after 10/2/2007 - correct? JoyH on ""Back filling" spaces open before the 2007 rules change" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=24#post-61 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:46:27 +0000 JoyH 61@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Hi all - We continue to get questions about "back filling" spaces allocated before a 2007 change in the rules increased the allowable annual match rate to $3,000. (“Back filling” means using spaces freed up after clients are terminated from the program.) The rule change applies to accounts opened after Oct. 2, 2007. Please see Janet's email from 9/11/07 for clarification, and let us know if you have any additional questions. From: Janet Byrd Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 9:10 AM Subject: Impact of proposed IDA rules on current programs Dear IDA partners; On our telephone call last week, the question was raised about whether a change in rules to accommodate the recent legislative changes would impact current IDA programs and/or uses of funds allocated for use in 2007 and before. After consulting with Housing and Community Services, I’m pleased to inform you that the new rules will apply to all agreements you make with new clients/ account holders on and after the effective date of the temporary rules. And, to remind you, we expect to file temporary rules next week, and simultaneously initiate permanent rulemaking. If you have written agreements prior to the effective date of the new rules with current clients, old rules will continue to apply. In addition, funds allocated in prior years and unused because of account holder withdrawal from the program (“reverted funds”) or unused for other reasons can be used in accordance with new program rules. However, remember that if this is a change in what you proposed in your request for allocation, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION TO DEVIATE FROM YOUR PROPOSAL. You can request that authorization either in writing or by e-mail. Please feel free to call me or Cynthia Winter with any questions about this. Thanks – and don’t forget to send me comments on the proposed rule changes Janet haleycloyd on "Updated Exit Survey" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=23#post-60 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:12:56 +0000 haleycloyd 60@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ We've posted an updated IDA Program exit survey. We are working at updating our various translated exit surveys. Until that happens you can use the versions that are posted. haleycloyd on "IDA RFA 2009" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=22#post-59 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:10:33 +0000 haleycloyd 59@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ The new IDA Request For Application forms for our Fiduciary Organizations have been posted under Reports and Forms. If you are thinking about applying you should definitely check them out! haleycloyd on "IDA Glossary" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=21#post-58 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:06:16 +0000 haleycloyd 58@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ A very helpful document! There's a glossary of IDA terms posted under Best Practices. haleycloyd on "Lane MicroBusiness Feasibility Modules" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=20#post-57 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:05:35 +0000 haleycloyd 57@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ The six Feasibility Modules are posted under Best Practices. Take a look! haleycloyd on "Modules for business plan class" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=19#post-56 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:01:54 +0000 haleycloyd 56@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Posted under Best Practices are the four modules for the Business Plan class. Make sure to check them out! haleycloyd on "Assistive Technology IDAs" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=18#post-55 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:51:46 +0000 haleycloyd 55@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ There are several new posts regarding Assistive Technology IDAs including frequently asked questions, definitions, and a sample plan. Take a look at it! haleycloyd on "Questions About Your Credit Score?" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=17#post-54 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:31:21 +0000 haleycloyd 54@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ There's a booklet posted under Best Practices that will help you understand the ins and outs of your credit score. Take a look! Thomas on "Habitable" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=11#post-53 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:52:42 +0000 Thomas 53@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ Rebekah - how much does the NW Post Purchase curriculum cost? Thomas on "Small business and LLCs.... whose assets do we count?" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=14#post-52 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:49:29 +0000 Thomas 52@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ I absolutely agree with Cynthia. Regardless of LLC status or not, someone owns the business! An LLC does not float around in a vacuum, it has officers/owners/investors. Moreover, someone stand to benefit if the LLC is sold at a profit ... you just have to ask who that person(s) is and there is your owner. If in doubt, ask for the legal agreement that outlines the various officers in the LLC, you should be able to determine ownership from that. Thomas on "401K, other retirements as assets" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=16#post-51 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:40:54 +0000 Thomas 51@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ I don't think we are allowed to disregard any assets (including retirement funds) at this time. As far as I recall, the conversation centered around different types of retirement funds and whether all these different types of accounts have features that prevents a person from accessing the funds prematurely (i.e. pre-retirement). Most (all?) retirement accounts allow people to access funds before retirement at a fee and additional tax penalty. Despite fees and penalties this still constitute "access", thus we have to count these funds in a net-worth assessment. Eventually, I hope that the IDA ORS and OAR some day will allow us to disregard certain types of assets such as retirement funds, but at this time I don't think we can ... Cynthia? Thomas rebekah on "401K, other retirements as assets" http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/topic.php?id=16#post-50 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:30:27 +0000 rebekah 50@http://ida.tnpf.org/forums/ I cannot remember what was discussed a few meetings ago about when it is ok to disregard (if ever) the quantity of ones retirement savings, and what circumstances allowed us to count or not count it. I vaguely remember Thomas saying something about not counting it sometimes, but i cant remember. Any thoughts?