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In order to have a better future, people with lower incomes must have the opportunity to save money and build assets. Poverty Action works to increase access to higher education and create opportunities for families to save and build assets. We do this by directly lobbying state lawmakers, engaging our 5,000 members in grassroots organizing, and bringing the voice of people with lower incomes to the state capitol to share their personal stories with lawmakers.

Building Assets

In 2005, Poverty Action spearheaded a successful effort to pass a bill to maintain and expand state-matched savings accounts for people with lower incomes, called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). This savings program was funded with $1 million in the state budget to help families save to buy a home, start a small business or go back to school. Each year, Poverty Action lobbies for funds to expand IDAs to help more people across the state access their dreams.

During the 2007 Legislative Session, Poverty Action played a leading role in creating the Washington Asset Building Coalition (WABC). In this role, we helped secure additional funding for small, local asset building coalitions across the state. Since the creation of the WABC, we have successfully moved the legislature allocate funding for the local coalitions to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit, provide credit counseling and debt reduction services, all aimed at assisting  low-income families keep more of the money they earn.

Learn more about IDAs including eligibility and how to enroll.

Tax Fairness for Working Families

Because of our state’s tax structure, families with lower incomes in Washington State pay a larger share of their income toward state and local taxes than low-income households in any other state.

In 2008, the state legislature passed the Working Families Tax Rebate into law. When implemented, this could cut taxes for more than 350,000 working families in Washington by adding ten percent to their federal Earned Income Tax Credit refund. This rebate reduces the tax bill for low-wage workers by as much as 30 percent, helping to mitigate our state’s regressive tax structure and offering a form of economic security to low-income Washingtonians. This is an immediate local investment that will drive additional income into communities across the state as people spend to meet their basic needs.

In 2010, Poverty Action successfully secured funding to set up the Working Families Rebate so that rebates can begin in 2012.

Increasing Access to Higher Education

Also during the 2007 Legislative Session, Poverty Action was instrumental in significantly expanding access to higher education by passing and funding Opportunity Grants. These grants provide financial assistance and support services to ensure that people with low incomes can receive a post-secondary education. These funds go beyond just financial aid for tuition to include books, career counseling, childcare and transportation for students at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line.  Opportunity Grants also include partnerships with business and labor, providing students with a direct link to high demand jobs with significant wages. 

Learn more about Opportunity Grants including eligibility and how to enroll.