DENVER -- Coloradans who lost jobs or income during the coronavirus pandemic may qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when they file their 2020 taxes.

Kelly Wagoner, director of the group Get Ahead Colorado, said it's an opportunity to get as much as $6,600 dollars into the pockets of struggling families earning $57,000 a year or less.

Even before the health emergency, one in four eligible families in Colorado missed out on getting the federal cash-back refund.

"We want to make sure that families, especially during these hard economic times as a result of the pandemic, that they are getting as much cash back as due them," Wagoner emphasized. "And they can do that by filing their taxes for free and claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit."

Colorado matches 10% of your total federal EITC refund, and a new state law extends that match to workers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers.

Single or married taxpayers with children who earned more than $2,500 dollars last year also qualify for the Child Tax Credit, worth up to $1,400 refund dollars per child.

But Wagoner noted you do have to file your taxes to get a refund. There's a free online calculator to find out if you qualify for the EITC at GetMyRefundCO.org, or call 211 where you can also get help filing your return.

The IRS said taxpayers who claim the Earned Income or Child tax credit may experience a refund hold until at least mid-February.

Wagoner added people should read the fine print if they choose a paid tax preparer to file their 2020 return, which costs $200 on average, if they offer money up front against your refund.

"If they are offering any kind of refund, anticipation loan or credit, that is going to be deducted from whatever refund you are due," Wagoner confirmed. "And so we want to make sure that people are getting all of the money that is due to them back in their pockets."

Households that earned $57,000 or less in 2020 also can get free help to file taxes from IRS-certified tax preparers, who are trained to tap tax credits.

If you made $72,000 or less, you can file your taxes for free online using a computer or use a smartphone to upload tax documents to a secure site. You'll get a call back from a tax pro who will review and file your tax return remotely.


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La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder.

This is the third year of major price hikes for Pacific Power and Pacific Gas and Electric, with rates up by 40% from four years ago.

One report found nearly half of Americans struggle to pay their utility bills and last winter, a January ice storm and rate hikes saw power shut off for a record number of Oregon households due to lack of payment.

Jami Seymore, home energy expert for the Energy Trust of Oregon, said this winter, one way to save on energy bills is to lower the thermostat at night.

"Every degree you drop that thermostat, you can save about 3% on your energy bill," Seymore pointed out.

Seymore recommended setting the thermostat to around 67 degrees during the day and about 59 at night. If you have a heat pump, do not change the temperature more than a few degrees either way for maximum efficiency.

The most helpful way to save money is to keep the heat inside by insulating walls, attics and floors. Seymore noted filling in gaps around the home like door frames, windows and mail slots can save up to 20% on heating costs. She added Energy Trust of Oregon can help cut the costs of projects.

"Energy Trust offers higher incentives for people with lower to moderate incomes to be able to make some of those changes a little more affordable," Seymore emphasized.

One source of energy loss people may overlook is the air filter. Seymore recommends changing it about every three months, or every time the season changes.

"A dirty air filter, that actually slows all that airflow coming in," Seymore observed. "It's going to waste energy and it's going to cost you more money."

If you need help with utility bills, Seymour advised checking with your utility provider first, as most have assistance programs and payment plans. You can also apply for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, which offer assistance for installing high-efficiency electric appliances, along with insulation and air sealing measures.


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Temperatures are dropping in the Commonwealth and community action agencies said help is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills.

The federal Home Energy Assistance Program helps households making less than 60% of the state median income, which for a family of four is just under $95,000.

Liz Berube, executive director of the community action agency Citizens for Citizens, serving the Fall River and Taunton area, called the eligibility requirements very generous.

"These are clearly for people who work, or you were working and you're laid off, you're on worker's comp, people who slip through the cracks," Berube outlined. "This could be the program for you."

Berube pointed out the website HeatingHelpMA.org has information on heating and other energy savings programs, as well as a link to an online application portal.

The Department of Public Utilities recently approved natural gas rate hikes for National Grid and Eversource customers. Monthly bills could increase from 11% to 30%.

Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she is already hearing from her constituents in the Second Essex District, wondering how they will make it through the winter.

"Every single day, the biggest call to our office is housing insecurity and how am I going to heat my home," Lovely reported. "How am I going to be able to stay in my home?"

Lovely is grateful for the federal, state and local partnerships making the heating aid program possible.

Joe Diamond, executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, a coalition of more than twenty community action agencies helping families apply for needed services, said keeping people warm is about more than lowering energy bills.

"It is a health program. It's a safety program. It's a housing preservation program," Diamond explained. "It is also a program that allows people to access other programs."

Diamond noted if households qualify for heating help, they automatically qualify for weatherization programs, which can include new insulation, appliances or heating systems. Public safety officials stressed the programs save both money and lives. They emphasized well-maintained heating equipment is much less likely to cause fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.


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The Save the Children Action Network is asking Iowans to support candidates in the upcoming election who invest time and political muscle in solving children's issues.

Paige Chickering, Iowa state manager for the Save the Children Action Network, is reminding voters about the importance of early education, high-quality affordable child care and school meals for kids. She noted a growing percentage of them are hungry and their families rely on some form of government help.

"In Iowa specifically, USDA data show that about 40% of SNAP beneficiaries -- and that's the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- are children," Chickering explained. "About one in six children, 15.4%, face hunger in Iowa, according to a Feeding America study."

Chickering pointed out the Save the Children Action Network has endorsed a slate of bipartisan candidates in statewide races who have adopted strong positions on children's issues, including taking on hunger in Iowa.

Chickering highlighted a Ready Nation study shows the critical shortage of child care options in Iowa is costing the state at least $1.2 billion in parents' lost wages and productivity every year. She added helping kids should not be up for debate.

"The issue of prioritizing children in Iowa is a really, truly bipartisan issue," Chickering asserted. "It's been really clear from all the people that we've worked with, our volunteers, everyone we've spoken with, that this is something that everyone is prioritizing."

The action network is also calling on Iowa politicians to approve the summer "Sun Bucks" program in 2025, which would make food available to lower-income families when kids are out of school for the summer. Iowa opted out of the program this year.