(KANSAS CITY, KAN.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District -- Kansas) joined community leaders at a news conference on Monday to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax benefit that helps low- and moderate-income workers increase their financial stability.

“Kansans who work hard deserve this opportunity to pay for things such as education, health care and housing,” Moore said. “A constituent of mine became a first-time homeowner by using the money from her EITC to make a down payment.”

The EITC is a credit of up to $4,140 for working families who earn less than $33,178. It has been proven to help reduce poverty, make work more attractive than welfare and help working families build assets.

Moore spoke about the benefits of the EITC to working families at a news conference in the lobby of the main building at Donnelly College. Erika Dvorske, United Way of Wyandotte County, discussed how community collaborations have helped connect families to the resources available to them, and William Barksdale, IRS, outlined who qualifies for the EITC.

“Getting the word out about the EITC and about the availability of free tax preparation is crucial to our community,” Dvorske said. “The only way we can do this is by collaborating with organizations across the community. United Way is excited to be a part of this collaboration."

Mohamad Hajisakhadod, an EITC recipient who utilized the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at Donnelly College, shared how the credit has made a difference for his family. He will use the EITC to purchase a computer and clothing for his six children.

According to tax return data in Kansas City, up to 25 percent of eligible workers fail to claim the EITC. There are an additional 9,866 potential EITC recipients in Kansas City with a total of over $16 million dollars of unclaimed EITC refunds.

Donnelly College houses a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site that serves individuals with household incomes of less than $35,000. Free tax preparation is available on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program has helped secure over $190,000 for families in Kansas City.