October 2015
Greetings!,


Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare opens on November 1, 2015 and ends January 31, 2016. To enroll visit healthcare.gov. 
The biggest change to the ACA will affect the definition of "small employer." Beginning January 1, 2016, the definition of small employer will change to include businesses from 1-100 FTE employees. While this change may not directly affect you in purchasing your health care, it is important to understand the changes and to enroll. 
We have provided a couple of articles about the ACA and resources for enrolling/re-enrolling, preparing to enroll next month and how the ACA may affect you at tax time.
Since being signed, the ACA has allowed over 15 million people previously unable to get insured be able to obtain health care coverage. As the New Year approaches, the time is quickly approaching for those previously enrolled to re-enroll for 2016. 
We have also provided information about a clinic for those considering bankruptcy sponsored by the Oregon State Bar and Legal Aid Services of Oregon. These clinics are available at three locations. 


All the best,
Innovative Changes
Credit Tip of the Month
 
Frustrated because you can't afford to pay off old collections? While we encourage you to make good on your obligations, 35% of your credit score depends on making on time payments on your open accounts like credit cards and current loans. That means you can build your credit now, even if you can't pay off all your old debt, just by making on time monthly payments!
 
Interested in learning more about how to build credit? 
Retirement
Resources for the Affordable Care Act
By Brian Smith
The Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare), has allowed over 15 million people who have not had access to health insurance to obtain it since first being signed into law in 2010; drastically reducing the uninsured rate of Americans down to 11.9% as of April.  Now that the end of the year is quickly approaching though, all those enrolled in the program will need to re-enroll for the year of 2016.  Here at IC$, we've had questions concerning all of this and thought you might have questions as well, so here's a few things that you'll need to know:
Affordable Care Act Tax Credits
By Katie Kasabian 
 
The Affordable Care Act requires that all Americans have health insurance. To offset some of the expenses of healthcare and truly make it "affordable", you can apply for the Premium Tax Credit. To see if you qualify for the ACA tax credit, visit the Premium Tax Credit IRS webpage. TurboTax offers a quick and easy video that shows you how to apply for the Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credit.  
Cash Oregon offers free tax preparation in the Portland area. Visit cashoregon.org for more information.
SaveLearn about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
 
The bankruptcy clinic is sponsored by the Oregon State Bar and Legal Aid Services of Oregon. The clinic features a free class which covers the basics of filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy. Following the class, qualified individuals can discuss their case with a volunteer attorney by appointment. If bankruptcy is appropriate for the individual, they may be able to get free legal representation for the bankruptcy.
 Upcoming Workshops & Orientationscb
 
The next Financial Household Resiliency workshops will be:
 
- Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 pm 
 
Suite 2027 
- October 27th: Building, Repairing & Protecting Credit
- November 3rd: Making Ends Meet
- November 10th: Budgeting and Savings
- November 17th: Hands on Banking

All workshops take place at our NEW office, 2027 Lloyd Center Mall.
You can register for the classes here.
Our next Credit Builder Orientations will be:
  
Suite 2027
- Wednesday, October 28th, 5:30-6:30 pm
- Friday, November 6th: 1-2 pm
- Wednesday, October 11th, 5:30-6:30 pm
- En ESPANOL, viernes 20 de noviembre, 1-2 pm

  All take place at our office, 2027 Lloyd Center.
Register here.
  
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