An
Individual Development Account (IDA) is a special type of savings program run by nonprofit organizations and
government social programs. The rules, benefits, and income limitations vary by organization, but here's the general idea:
You meet with a free counselor to go over your finances, save a certain small amount of
money per week, attend a certain number of seminars about finances, and have a goal
for the money approved by the organization (i.e. saving up to buy your first home, saving for a child's education, etc.). What do you get in exchange for doing this?
Free money. And not just free money, but also free money you don't have to pay
taxes on. The
nonprofit organization will match a certain amount of the money you succeed in saving for your goal. The money you save on your own and the money the organization gives you go into a
bank account under your name, meaning you have full control over the money even if you stop participating in the program. (Note: Individual Development Accounts are called
Family Savings Accounts in the state of
Pennsylvania)
This is an example of the IDA available to citizens of Iowa and refugees in that state:
Matching Ratio -- 1:1 for citizens; 2:1 for refugees
Matching Amount -- Citizens: $3,000 per person or $8,000 per household; Refugees: $2,000 per individual and $4,000 per household.
Approved Savings Goals -- For Citizens: first-time homeownership, higher education, and small business start up or expansion; For Refugees: first-time homeownership, higher education, small business start up or expansion, home repair, a car, or a computer.
Income Limitations --
1 person: $17,960
2 persons: $24,240
3 persons: $30,520
4 persons: $36,800
5 persons: $43,080
6 persons: $49,360
7 persons: $55,640
8 persons: $61,920
each additional person add $6,280
Source -- http://www.ised.org/economicdevelopment/iowanssave.asp
Other Resources:
http://www.financeprojectinfo.org/win/individu.asp
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/demo/ida/
http://www.trickleup.org/usprogram_ida_e.asp
http://www.ctunitedway.org/What/IDA.asp
http://www.workfirst.wa.gov/participant/IDA%20facts.htm
http://idanetwork.org/index.php?section=2003idasurvey&page=index.php
http://www.cfed.org/main/indivAssets/indDevAccts.htm
http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazines/1999/january/riley.html
http://www.alternatives.org/ida.html
http://www.fndmidsouth.org/ida/ida.asp
http://www.thebeehive.org/money/idas.asp