Newsletter: Winter 2009-10, Volume 3, Issue 1.

NewMexicoResources.org A joint project of the CNM Foundation, Don Chalmers Ford, PNM, Univision, and Wells Fargo

Winter 2009-2010 New on the website: Homebuyer and Homeownership Programs, Consumer Credit Counseling, and IDAs   NewMexicoResources.org is pleased to announce that new content areas have been created to provide information on homebuyer and homeownership programs, including information on preventing home foreclosure. Click into the site to learn more about: New homebuyer programs, including low down payments, closing cost assistance, and special programs for firefighters, police officers, members of the armed forces, teachers, healthcare workers, Native Americans, and other qualifying categories. Homebuyer tax credits, including those for first time homebuyers and the recently expanded credit for homebuyers who have been in the same home for five of the past eight years. These tax credits are worth up to $8,000 for those who qualify. Foreclosure prevention, including mortgage modification and refinancing, Making Home Affordable, Hope for Homeowners (H4H), and foreclosure prevention counseling. In addition to the above programs, you can find out about weatherization assistance, low-income energy assistance (LIHEAP), and owner-occupied rehabilitation programs at our New Mexico Homeowner Programs page.   Our new Financial Programs section is designed to help provide information on consumer credit counseling, including what it is, how to contact a consumer credit counseling agency, what the benefits are, and information about debt management plans.   You can also learn about Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which are matched savings accounts. For every dollar saved by an IDA holder, it is matched two, three, or even up to four times, depending on the program. For example, in a 3:1 match, if an account holder saves $1,000, the program matches the savings with $3,000, for a total of $4,000 that can be used to purchase a qualifying asset such as a home or small business, or be used for education expenses. Learn where to apply and about applicable income limits at our site.   Thank you for taking the time to read through our newsletter and peruse our site. Any comments or questions are always welcome at info@NewMexicoResources.org. Tax Time is Here NewMexicoResources.org has updated information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, an important tax credit for low-income working families. For tax year 2009, a family of five or more that makes under $48,279 can get up to a maximum credit of $5,657 on their federal return. Read more about income limits for other family sizes, maximum credits, the New Mexico credit, and how to claim the credit at our site.    You can also learn about the Child Tax Credit and Central New Mexico Community College's (CNM's) TAX HELP New Mexico program, which provides free tax preparation for families who make under $50,000 per year, or individuals aged 65 or older.  Website Partnership The Central New Mexico Community College Foundation has partnered with PNM, Don Chalmers Ford, Univision, and Wells Fargo to create the website guide to navigate the complicated process of obtaining vital benefits and resources. The content of the website is provided free of charge for personal use or for assisting others. Content areas are constantly being updated, so check back often. Feedback We hope you have found this newsletter helpful. Join our mailing list (below) and watch for future editions and special alerts about updates to the website and New Mexico programs. If you have comments or suggestions about the newsletter, we would like to hear from you. Please email info@NewMexicoResources.org with your feedback.     Volume: 3 Issue: 1     NewMexicoResources.org is a website that provides detailed information about a variety of publicly funded assistance programs available in New Mexico.   Find information on: CASH ASSISTANCE CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOLS EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING ENERGY ASSISTANCE FINANCIAL PROGRAMS FOOD PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS HOUSING AND HOMELESS PROGRAMS LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAX CREDITS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES