ACCESS Miami is a citywide, comprehensive empowerment strategy aimed at increasing residents’ access to the financial tools and education that are fundamental to economic prosperity and success.  The ACCESS model aspires to equip the entire community with the wealth-building tools necessary for economic self-sufficiency. 

Benefit Programs for City of Miami Residents 

Community Programs

Tax Preparation Services - Every year the City of Miami provides various options for FREE or reduced price tax preparation services throughout the city. In partnership with H&R Block, there will be additional convenient sites available at a drastically reduced rate. Call 311 for the tax site nearest you. You can also do your taxes online for FREE, click here. In Spanish click here. You may file for your Economic Stimulus Payment for free. Click here. If you have questions about eligibility requirements, please visit the Economic Stimulus Payment Information Center for information. For more information and locations, click below.

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Link Up Florida & Lifeline Assistance- The Link Up Florida and the Lifeline Assistance Programs are helping to make telephone service affordable to low-income customers in the City of Miami. The programs are designed to ensure that the basic telephone connection (hook-up) and monthly service remain affordable to all residents of Florida. Link-Up Florida gives a 50% rebate in the telephone hook-up charge (up to $30.00). Lifeline Assistance gives $13.50 credit per month on local phone bills. Over a year's time, that is a savings of $162.00. ACCESS Miami is committed to making sure that eligible low income residents receive these discounts, but, to benefit, you need to apply.

• Click here for information in English.
• Click here for information in Spanish.
• Click here for information in Creole.
• Click here for English Link- Up and Lifeline Certification Form.
• Click here for Spanish Link-Up and Lifeline Certification Form.
• Click here for Creole Link-Up and Lifeline Certification Form.

The Benefit Bank (TBB™) is an internet-based, counselor-assisted program that simplifies the process of applying for many state and federal benefits, and helps working individuals and families maximize income tax refunds.  TBB not only helps individuals determine eligibility for benefits, but actually fills out the benefit applications and prints final applications or tax returns on proper forms.  It even allows for e-filing returns and benefit applications when possible.  Most importantly, TBB is free.  For more information click here. To find the location of a site near you, call 311.

Small Business

• The Matched Saving Fund – YOU GET $2 DOLLARS FOR EVERY $1 YOU SAVE! Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are supported by the City of Miami and the Federal Government, to help working families and individuals save and accumulate assets from earned income in order to buy a first home, capitalize a business or use towards post-secondary education. For more information, click here or call 311, 1-877-722-4505 or (305) 438-1407, ext. 215.
• Matched Savings Program for Computers– The City of Miami’s ACCESS Miami program, in partnership with Partners for Self-Employment, are now offering a new perk! The already sought after Matched Savings Program that assists low/moderate income working families and small businesses save money to purchase a home or improve their business, now can help you purchase a computer by matching $2 for every $1 you save. Your new-found savings can help you take advantage of pre-negotiated computer system prices from Dell and Per Scholas. To speak to a Partners for Self-Employment representative about this new program and how to qualify, call 305-438-1407 x215
• Micro-Lending - Are you a start-up or existing business that has had trouble getting financing? ACCESS Miami funds a non-profit organization that provides financing and technical assistance to Miami's small business owners with loans from $500 to $25,000. This program also assists people in starting a credit history. For more information, call 311 or (305) 548-3360. You can apply online by clicking here.
• Minority Business Enterprise Center - Provides opportunities for ethnic minorities and disadvantaged individuals to participate in the free enterprise system through the formation, development, preservation and growth of competitive minority-owned businesses.  Though its mission is to assist ethnic minorities and disadvantaged individuals, the center is open to everyone. Visit the website.

Financial Counseling

• Foreclosure Prevention - It's a growing problem across the country: Homeowners facing foreclosure are losing their money – and their homes – to loan modification scams. Information is your best defense. If you see the signs of a scam and know the facts, you can protect yourself. Learn more in English or Spanish.
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida - Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) Certified Credit Counselors work with you to set and meet financial goals – whether that means saving for a home, planning for retirement, or paying off debt.  Services are confidential, and counselors are available in person, over the telephone, or via the Internet.  For more information click here or, please call 1-800-355-2227.

Health

• Florida KidCare - For open enrollment information, please call (305) 468-KIDS (5437) or 1-888-540-5437, or visit http://www.floridakidcare.org/.  You can also visit one of our Benefit Bank sites to see if you qualify.
• City of Miami Health Care Providers - These health centers provide comprehensive primary healthcare that is culturally and linguistically diversified to serve the many different ethnic groups residing in Miami. For more information, please call one of Jackson Health System’s primary care clinics: Rafael Penalver Clinic, 971 N.W. 2^nd Street, Miami, FL  33128, (305) 545-5180; Jefferson Reaves Health Center, 1009 NW 5th Ave, Miami, Florida 33136, (305) 577-0093 x300; Liberty City Health Services Center, 1320 NW 62^nd St., Miami, FL  33147, (305) 835-2200.

Housing

• City of Miami Community Development Housing Division - The City has many different programs to assist homeowners and potential homebuyers.  The First-Time Homebuyer’s program provides down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible families to buy their first home.  The City also provides subsidies to private developers throughout the City to provide affordable housing units for purchase or renting.   In addition, the Single Family Rehabilitation program provides low-interest deferred loans to homeowners in the City of Miami to repair their properties.  For more information click here, call 311 or (305) 416-2097.
• Florida Housing Finance Corporation - Provides funding to developers to provide affordable rental housing throughout the State.  For more information about rental housing funded by Florida Housing, call (850) 488-4197. For other Florida Housing Finance Corporation information click here.

Job Search and Training

• CLASSES START February 2010! Miami Brownfields Job Training Program -- The Miami Brownfields Job Training Program will employ residents and facilitate the cleanup of brownfields by providing free “green job” training for residents over nine 16-week training cycles.  Training will include brownfields assessment, remediation, and redevelopment and will prepare graduates for entry-level positions as asbestos inspectors and abatement workers, emergency spill response technicians, environmental technicians, field sampling technicians, HAZWOPER technicians, and OSHA safety inspectors. For enrollment information, e-mail specific questions to amj@miamigov.com and include your contact information. You will receive an e-mail response on entry requirements and upcoming testing dates. To download a flyer, click here.  Please check this website regularly for updates. 
• One Stop Centers – These centers offer job placement, job training and guidance, with ESL programs for Hispanic and Creole students.  In addition, the centers may provide childcare and other services for students.  For more information, call Miami Downtown One-Stop Career Center, 3050 Biscayne Blvd., 4^th Floor, Miami, FL  33137, (305) 573-7301; or Little Havana One-Stop Career Center, 701 S.W. 27^th Avenue, Miami, FL 33135, (305) 643-3300. Start your job search by clicking here.
• ACCESSMiamiJobs.com - Search for and apply to local employment opportunities. Create your own job search agents and stay abreast of new job listing in your area of interest. Start your job search now by clicking here.

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