Savings Accounts
A Family Development Account or “FDA” is a savings account that makes a difference and can help in a time you need it most. For every dollar you save, The FDA Coalition matches it with four additional dollars, so your savings add up quick. You deposit $5 in your savings account, you earn $20 in match funds, for a total of $25.
The FDA program can help you save money to reach a number of goals such as:
Business
FDA’s can be used to save to start or expand a small business. Funds can be used for the purchase of business equipment, inventory, marketing, and other start-up costs.
Home buying and repair
If you’re looking for your first home purchase, you can use an FDA to purchase or construct a primary residence.
You can also use an FDA to repair a home that is or will be the person’s principal residence
Education/Training
If you’re thinking about going to school or a training/class that can improve your employment or earning potential your FDA can be used to pay for tuition, fees, supplies, and books required for study.
Car Repair and Purchase
Funds may be used for the purchase or repair of a vehicle used for transportation to work or to attend education or training.
Emergency
FDAs can also be used to create an emergency savings fund to pay for urgent expenses that may cause the loss of shelter, employment, or other basic necessities.
Eligibility requirements:
- Earned income from a job or self-employment
- Social security, disability, and/or child support does NOT count as earned income
- Below 200% of the federal poverty line
- A minor child in the home for the home repair, vehicle purchase/repair, and emergency FDAs
MaineStream Finance/Penquis is the administrative body for the statewide Family Development Account (FDA) program and the FDA Coalition involving 12 partners that cover the entire state. We work with 19 local banks and credit unions in servicing these matched savings accounts.
Need more information? Contact Taylor Pond at 207-974-2459
- Earned income from a job or self-employment
Financial Coaching
All too often, Maine residents lack the tools needed to achieve financial stability and, ultimately, financial security. 55% of residents do not have emergency funds, 58% have not tried to figure out retirement savings needs, 58% have not set aside money for children’s college education, and 18% used one or more non-bank borrowing methods in the past five years. To make matters worse, research has found lower levels of financial literacy among women, minorities, and individuals with less education.
To help families increase financial stability and improve child and family outcomes, MaineStream Finance and Penquis offer financial capability and coaching services through three main audiences:
- Parents and guardians of children served through Penquis Child Development/Head Start programs.
- Families located in residential facilities of the housing authorities of Bangor, Brewer, and Old Town participating in the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) programs.
- Youth participating in the Bangor Boy’s and Girls Club.
- At risk young women with infants or pregnant at the Penquis Journey House.
Eventually MaineStream plans to offer these services through all of Penquis’ social services programs and with other external partners.
Participants may also be eligible for a savings Family Development Account (FDA) for help with saving for car purchase & repair or for emergencies.
For more information, please contact Denise St. Peter at 207-973-3500.
Student Financial Aid
COMING SOON – Student debt and affordability is one of our biggest challenges in generations. Make Lemonade and Forbes state that there are 44 million student loan borrowers with over $1.4 trillion in debt. The average student has over $37 thousand in debt after graduation.
MaineStream Finance is currently in the process of exploring a way to help prospective students, current students, and former students on how to make the best financial decisions and budgeting for financing education and certificate training post-high school. We are in the process of talking to partners and designing new curriculum. Please keep checking this space for updates in 2018.
You may be eligible for an education-related savings Family Development Account (FDA).
For more information, contact Chris Linder at 207-973-3500.
Tax Preparation
Penquis/MaineStream Finance partners with Eastern Maine CA$H and AARP’s Tax-Aide program to provide tax preparation services to the elderly and low income families.
Visit Tax-AideFor more information, please visit http://www.cashmaine.org/coalition/eastern-maine/
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