INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are restricted savings accounts for individuals of limited financial means and for specific restricted purposes such as continuing education, purchasing a home or starting a business. IDA programs give participants formal and informal opportunities to learn how to manage and budget money, improve their earning capability, and invest in themselves and their communities.  IDA programs are managed by community organizations and accounts are held at local financial institutions. Private and public funds are used to match the contributions of low-income people as an incentive to participate. Matches are usually made at a 2:1 to 4:1 ratio.

In Connecticut, the State Dept. of Labor (DOL), with federal funding and private contributions, awards grants to community organizations for the purpose of implementing Individual Development Accounts for lower income individuals and families. There are also private and/or government partnerships, apart from the DOL funded programs, that administer IDA programs in Connecticut.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility requirements vary but, for most of the community organizations that administer IDA programs in Connecticut, eligibility requirements include:

• Residency in given towns or counties;

• Employed;

• Income restrictions - 200% FPL or receiving assistance under TANF or eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit;

• Family net worth less than $10,000.

HOW IDAs WORK

Participants are usually asked to:

• Make monthly savings deposits;
• Contribute to a savings program for a maximum of four years;
• Attend a personal financial management workshop series; and
• Participate in asset-specific ownership preparation training.

Matched funds will be made available to participants when they are ready to purchase an asset. At that time a check will be issued directly to the company, institution or individual furnishing all or a part of a participant's asset goal (a mortgage company, home inspector, wholesale supplier, or community college, for example).

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name:
Individual Development Accounts

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PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2011