Financial
AARP Tax-Aide Program
2306 Ridgefield Rd., Columbia, MO 65201
573-445-6914
Hours: Vary, call for information, operates only February 1 to April 15
http://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/
Services: Tax preparation, assistance, and counseling; in home service for home-bound persons
Eligibility: Low or middle income persons
Fees: Free of charge
Central Missouri Community Action - Boone County Family Resource Office
800 N. Providence Rd., Columbia, MO 65201
573-443-1100
Hours: 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday
The Financial Opportunity Centers® model pairs individuals with coaching services to create a plan toward financial freedom. Coaches support individuals with tools and resources that allow them to navigate the complexities around increasing income, decreasing expenses, and acquiring assets. One-on-one long-term coaching toward employment and financial goals, designed to improve economic stability and family well-being. FOCs equip clients with the tools, motivation, and knowhow to make sound financial decisions that: Increase Earnings • Build Credit • Reduce Expenses • Boost Assets
Columbia Housing Authority
201 Switzler St, Columbia, MO 65201
573-443-2556 Fax 573-443-0051
Hours: 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday
Services: Public housing for low income persons (Downtown and Bear Creek), elderly (Oak Towers), and disabled persons (Paquin Towers); Section 8 voucher program provides rental assistance vouchers to individuals and families in private rental housing; homeless assistance; self-sufficiency programs, social work and independent living service coordination; youth educational and activity program; Youth Community Coalition and Drug-Free Communities; Neighborhood Network computer labs, resident Mini-Marts and laundries; medical transportation assistance; Money Smart classes; homeownership classes counseling; affordable housing development assistance
Eligibility: Household income guidelines, rental history and criminal background checks, non-violent or drug-related criminal history within the past 5 years
Fees: Rent based on approximately 30% of adjusted household income, no fee for other services. Residents must pay for their own utilities in most properties.
Love Columbia
1209 E. Walnut St, Columbia, MO 65201
573-256-7662 Furniture donation line: 573-447-0020
clientreferral@columbialoveinc.org
furniturereferral@columbialoveinc.org
Information Library: http://www.columbialoveinc.org/information-library/
Hours: Administrative Office: 8:30-4:30 (M-F); Client request telephone line open Monday-Wednesday 8:30am - 9:30am, and Wednesday 3:30pm - 4:30pm.
The Love Seat Resale Store: 10:00-5:00 (M-F), 9:00-4:00 (Sat)
Services: An intake interview is offered for the purpose of assessment and goal setting. Subsequently information and referral may be provided and/or enrollment in one of our programs. Love Columbia Information Library lists Love INC's most frequently requested documents. Programs include: Side by Side - individual coaching in the areas of life purpose, basic budgeting, job search, housing search, and credit score building. Extra Mile - 16 week, high accountability money management coaching with rewards/incentives. Extra Mile Homes – Four to six month transitional housing with money management and person coaching. The Love Seat – Free basic needs furniture for those in crisis or transition with church/agency verified need; resale store for those desiring to purchase low-cost items. Bike 2 to the Future – Free bicycle, helmet and lock for adults needing transportation to work or school.
Fee: None
Eligibility: City of Columbia residents
Intake Procedures: Agencies or church staff may email a referral to clientreferral@columbialoveinc.org or furniturereferral@columbialoveinc.org or leave a message on line 2. Clients may leave a message on line 1 on Monday-Wednesday 8:30am - 9:30am, and Wednesday 3:30pm - 4:30pm.
Staff is not available for walk-in appointments.
Required Documentation for Services: Permission for verification following intake interview as needed
Geographic Area Served: City of Columbia
Foreign Languages Spoken: Spanish
Missouri CLAIM
601 W Nifong Blvd, Suite 3A, Columbia, MO 65203
800-390-3330
https://www.missouriclaim.org/
CLAIM stands for “Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri.” We have been Missouri’s official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) since 1993. All of our services are free, unbiased, and confidential. We are not an insurance agency. We do not sell anything, and CLAIM counselors do not ask for or accept money.
CLAIM has more than 300 volunteer counselors throughout Missouri providing local Medicare counseling in their communities. Volunteers receive extensive training to become certified Medicare counselors, and continue to receive updates and continuing education on a regular basis.
Calling 1-800-390-3330: Our friendly Contact Center staff will take your name and basic information. Then they will relay that information to one of our local community partners. Within days, a volunteer counselor calls back to set up an appointment or to discuss your Medicare issue by phone. The helpline is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
Filling out our online contact form: Leave your information using this form 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. This will send an e-mail directly to CLAIM, which will work just like a phone call, only there’s no chance you will have to wait on hold.
Missouri Department of Social Services
Boone County Family Support Division
601 Business Loop 70 W #272, Columbia, MO 65203
855-373-4636 855-FSD-INFO 800-392-1261(automated line)
Relay Missouri: 711 (Information line if you are hearing and/or speech impaired)
Text Telephone: 800-735-2966 TTD Voice Access: 800-735-2466
https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/child-care.htm
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy Program if you are a low-income parent or guardian of a child under the age of 13 (or age 13 or older with a special need) and are: working, attending school, in job training, disabled, homeless, searching for a job, being evaluated for training and/or employment, receiving child welfare services from the Children's Division
Note: Eligible children may be placed on a waiting list due to lack of adequate funding. Eligibility does not guarantee immediate benefits.
You may apply or reapply for Child Care Subsidy by:
Applying online or Completing the Child Care Application and submitting it to your local Family Support Division (FSD) office in person or by mail
Once FSD has received your application, you will be contacted for an interview. This interview must be complete before FSD can approve your Child Care Subsidy application. If FSD is unable to reach you through the phone number you provided, you will receive a letter with directions on how to complete your interview.
Once FSD has received all information needed to process your application, you will be notified within 15 calendar days if you are approved for Child Care Subsidy.
Prosper U- Central Bank of Boone County
573-817-8900
https://www.centralbank.net/prosperu/
Free Financial Education for Everyone!
ProsperU was created to help individuals and businesses learn more about how to build a successful financial life.
Services include:
• Classes in the ProsperU Classroom at 700 East Broadway
• Online Classes Through Zoom
• One-on-One Financial Counseling
• On-Site Classes for Businesses and Organizations
Classes change every month and registration is easy. Check out the ProsperU Class Schedule, find the class you're interested in and click on register.
V.I.T.A. (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
AARP Tax Help at Salvation Army 1108 W Ash St, Columbia, MO 65203 573-442-3229
Love Columbia Tax Help 1209 E Walnut, Columbia, MO 65201 573-256-7662
MU Family Impact Center 105 E. Ash, Columbia, MO 65203 573-882-2428
AARP Tax Help at Salvation Army: Starting February 6, tax help will be provided from 1PM-4PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays by appointment only. Call to make an appointment.
Love Columbia: Tax help provided on Fridays. Call to make an appointment.
MU Family Impact Center: Starting January 30, walk-in basis every Monday from 8:45AM to 11:45AM and 1:15AM to 4:15PM (except for MU's spring break).