Programs: 
IDA (Individual Development Account) Program
The IDA program is a matched savings program that helps qualified individuals save toward the purchase of a “productive” asset. An asset is something of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner – benefits like security, stability, and opportunities for more income. 
Every dollar that our client saves is matched with three dollars, up to a total of $1,000. So, if the client saves $1,000, we will match it with $3,000, and the funds can be used toward the purchase of a first home, small business capitalization, and post-secondary education. 
In order to successfully complete this program, clients must save on a monthly basis (saving for at least 6 consecutive months), attend thirty hours of financial literacy, and complete asset-specific educational hours. Clients have three years to complete their savings.
In order to prepare the clients for success with finances after completion of the program, AIM matches all clients with a one on one financial counselor that works on their personal budget. If the clients are saving for small business, we connect the client with a small business counselor that coaches them through the business start-up process. The IDA program coordinator is a Certified Housing Counselor through the Association of Housing Counselors, and she guides clients through the homeownership process.  
Who qualifies for this program? Anyone who earns at least $25 a month but whose annual income is not more than the following:
$21,870 for a family of 1
$29,420 for a family of 2
$37,060 for a family of 3
$44,700 for a family of 4
$52,340 for a family of 5
$59,980 for a family of 6
$67,620 for a family of 7
$75,260 for a family of 8
Applicants must also verify assets through a Net Worth Test with the Program Coordinator.
Apply Now – IDA Application
If you have any questions, please contact Lorin Larason at 864-965-9075 or lorin.larason@aimcharity.org. 
Budget Counseling/Financial Literacy
We have dedicated volunteers that are willing to work with clients one on one with budgeting. We also teach financial literacy classes in the Education and Training Facility. Please see calendar for class dates and times or contact Lorin Larason at 864-965-9075 or lorin.larason@aimcharity.org. 
Benefit Bank
The Benefit Bank of South Carolina (TBB-SC) is a web-based system that allows us to help clients apply for government benefits, such as SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Medicaid, TANF, Lifeline and Linkup, and Low-Income Subsidy Prescription Help, which they may qualify for but, for whatever reason, are not receiving. Through one 45 minute interview, this web-based system populates all applications, and in many situations, allows the clients to avoid the Social Services office and Health and Human Services office, which can often be frustrating and intimidating. 
Contact Lorin Larason at 864-965-9075 or lorin.larason@aimcharity.org or Emily Hoepfl at (864) 226-2273 x 105
Free Tax Preparation
TBB also allows us to prepare income taxes for clients for free. We are able to do both federal and state returns, and we are able to do up to three years of back taxes. This has been a very successful program. For tax year 2011, we completed 349 returns and secured $348,442 in refunds for clients in our area.  
Contact Lorin Larason at 864-965-9075 or lorin.larason@aimcharity.org
This page will require a “profile” of an individual (real or composed) who has gone through and succeeded due to this program. The page will be focused around this individual and their picture will also play a prominent role in the design of the page. Their “story” will serve as the centerpiece for this page. 
Additionally, a description of the service and what sorts of people may be in need of it will be presented on this page.
• Education and Training 
Training Facility Policies and Procedures
Class Listing: 
Financial Literacy
Dave Ramsey Classes
Couponing Class
Basic Soft Skills Class
Money Smart Series by FDIC with a Bank of America Representative
Calendar
This page will require a “profile” of an individual (real or composed) who has gone through and succeeded due to this program. The page will be focused around this individual and their picture will also play a prominent role in the design of the page. Their “story” will serve as the centerpiece for this page. 
Additionally, a description of the service and what sorts of people may be in need of it will be presented on this page.

Programs: 

IDA (Individual Development Account) Program

The IDA program is a matched savings program that helps qualified individuals save toward the purchase of a “productive” asset. An asset is something of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner – benefits like security, stability, and opportunities for more income. 

Every dollar that our client saves is matched with three dollars, up to a total of $1,000. So, if the client saves $1,000, we will match it with $3,000, and the funds can be used toward the purchase of a first home, small business capitalization, and post-secondary education. 

In order to successfully complete this program, clients must save on a monthly basis (saving for at least 6 consecutive months), attend thirty hours of financial literacy, and complete asset-specific educational hours. Clients have three years to complete their savings.

In order to prepare the clients for success with finances after completion of the program, AIM matches all clients with a one on one financial counselor that works on their personal budget. If the clients are saving for small business, we connect the client with a small business counselor that coaches them through the business start-up process. 

Who qualifies for this program? Anyone who earns at least $25 a month but whose annual income is not more than the following:

  • $22,340 for a family of 1
  • $30,260 for a family of 2
  • $38,180 for a family of 3
  • $46,100 for a family of 4
  • $54,020 for a family of 5
  • $61,940 for a family of 6
  • $69,860 for a family of 7
  • $77,780 for a family of 8
  • $7,920 for each additional person

*Applicants must also verify assets through a Net Worth Test with the Program Coordinator.

FAQ for Prospective Applicants

Budget Counseling/Financial Literacy

We have dedicated volunteers that are willing to work with clients one on one with budgeting. We also teach financial literacy classes in the Education and Training Facility.

Please see calendar for class dates and times or contact Dottie Dean at 864-226-2273 x138 or dottie.dean@aimcharity.org. 

 

Benefit Bank

The Benefit Bank of South Carolina (TBB-SC) is a web-based system that allows us to help clients apply for government benefits, such as SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Medicaid, TANF, Lifeline and Linkup, and Low-Income Subsidy Prescription Help, which they may qualify for but, for whatever reason, are not receiving. Through one 45 minute interview, this web-based system populates all applications, and in many situations, allows the clients to avoid the Social Services office and Health and Human Services office, which can often be frustrating and intimidating. 

Contact Stephanie Dochney at 864-965-9075 or stephanie.dochney@aimcharity.org. For SNAP, contact Emily Hoepfl at (864) 226-2273 x 105

Free Tax Preparation

This allows us to prepare income taxes for clients for free. We are able to do both federal and state returns, and we are able to do up to three years of back taxes. This has been a very successful program. For tax year 2011, we completed 349 returns and secured $348,442 in refunds for clients in our area.

Education and Training Training Facility Policies and Procedures

Class Listing: 

  • Financial Literacy Dave Ramsey Classes
  • Couponing Class
  • Basic Soft Skills Class
  • Money Smart Series by FDIC with a Bank of America Representative

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Dochney at 864-965-9075 or stephanie.dochney@aimcharity.org. 


Financial Freedom

Jada B. walks in the living room as her husband holds their son, Tyler Brown, 2, in their newly purchased home in Anderson. 

 jadafamily

Jada was a mother with the Women's and Children's Succeeding Program at Anderson Interfaith Ministries, where she participated in the IDA (Individual Development Account) Program. For every dollar that Jada saved, it was matched with three. The money Jada and her husband saved while in the IDA Program, along with the matched dollars, were used toward the down-payment of their very first home. This step toward home-ownership will have a positive effect on generations to come!


Tell Your Story
AIM's Twitter Feed | @aimcharity
  • Mailing Address
  • P.O. Box 1136
  • Anderson, SC 29622
  • Physical Address
  • 1202 South Murray Ave.
  • Anderson, SC 29624