At The Fortune Society, the Benefits Access team supports participants as they navigate reentry after incarceration by connecting them with vital resources such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other forms of public assistance. In addition to these essential services, Benefits Access also provides specialized support, including on-site income tax preparation assistance. 

Fortune is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, offering free tax preparation for participants in partnership with Single Stop, USA. Many people returning home need help filing their taxes for the first time or have questions and concerns about the process. Fortune’s tax assistance services are designed to address these questions and concerns, ensuring participants can feel confident and informed when filing their taxes.  

Tatiana, an Entitlement Specialist, sat down with us to talk about the specific support participants receive when preparing their taxes at Fortune.  

As an Entitlement Specialist of three years, Tatiana has worked closely with participants in varying parts of their reentry journeys. Overall, she explained that, when coming to Fortune, participants are often unaware of the resources available to them, including tax assistance services.  

“A lot of the participants come to us, and they don’t know everything that we offer,” Tatiana explained. “Once we explain our services and what benefits are available to them, they feel more comfortable reaching out with questions or concerns. We just have to let them know what’s here.” 

During tax season, Tatiana acts as a liaison between participants and Single Stop, USA. She helps participants to gather important documents, forms of identification, and ensures that all required information is submitted accurately. After the paperwork is completed, Tatiana continues to follow up with participants to keep them informed about the status of their tax filings. 

Once Tatiana submits a participant’s information, a representative from Single Stop, USA follows up with details about their expected refund or any balance they may owe. 

While Tatiana frequently assists individuals who are filing their taxes for the first time, many participants return year after year for support during tax season. Even former participants who no longer actively use Fortune services can still access tax assistance, as long as their household income is below $80,000 annually. 

Having tax preparation services available on-site at Fortune is immensely helpful for participants receiving services. Tatiana shared that she often hears from participants how grateful they are to have access to these services all in one place.