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Community Information Database

Community Information Database

Subject Description

Individual Development Accounts

Organizations that provide opportunities for low-income individuals and families to open individual development accounts (IDAs) which enable them to build assets that can be used for postsecondary education and training, business capitalization and home ownership. States are authorized by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to create community-based IDA programs with TANF block grant funds, and to disregard all money saved in IDAs when determining eligibility for means tested government assistance. Although the program requirements vary from state to state, most are offered through a collaboration of organizations in a community including nonprofit organizations which recruit participants and provide financial planning services, banks or credit unions which provide matching funds, usually one or two dollars for every dollar saved, and foundations, state or federal government which provides financial support for the matching funds.

Taxonomy Code: TF-2100.3300

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