Voice february 2014

FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N

Voice of the Fields California

February 2014

FREE

Volume 24, Number 2

Temporary Migrant Family Housing Centers and the Office of Migrant Services

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t the beginning of April of each year, a large amount of agricultural workers and their families begin to migrate from their permanent homes to farming areas across the state in search of employment.

Some of these families will be traveling great distances, so along with employment, they will also need a temporary place to call home for themselves and their families until the farming season comes to a close, which usually happens in November.

Because there is such a large number of families who are traveling to these areas for the eight or so months of agricultural work, and due to the lack of quality housing that’s available, the State of California Department of Labor established the Office

of Migrant Services (OMS) in 1965.

The OMS was established to provide Migrant farmworker families with safe and affordable seasonal rental housing, and other support services, during the peak growing and harvest season of each year.

Before the OMS was established, common practice was for families to live in small, cramped motel rooms, often with other families, while some less fortunate families would live out of their cars or along streams in makeshift shacks with no electricity, plumbing or the safety that only a house can offer.

To serve the needs of seasonal farm working families living in California, the OMS works with local housing authorities and counties to provide migrant housing centers located throughout the state, we’ve listed them here for you by county:

Temporary Migrant Family Housing Centers Colusa County Williams Center 400 Theater Road Williams, CA 95987 Fresno County Parlier Migrant Center 8800 South Academy Parlier, CA 93648 Kern County Arvin Center 8701 Sunset Blvd.

Bakersfield, CA 93307 Shafter Center 17213 Central Valley Hwy. Shafer, CA 93263

Madera County Pomona Ranch Migrant Center 11777 Woodward Way Madera, CA 93737 Merced County Merced Migrant Center 2753 North Santa Fe Dr. Merced, CA 95340 Atwater-Livingston 9200 Westside Boulevard Atwater, CA 95301 Rafael Silva Migrant Center 18926 West Henry Miller Rd. Los Banos, CA 95635

Felix Torres Migrant Center 925 North Plainsburg Avenue Planada, CA 95365 Modoc County Newell Migrant Center 509 County Road 160 Tulelake, CA 96134 Monterey County King City Migrant Center 440 Jayne Street King City, CA 93930 San Benito County Hollister Migrant Center 3235 Southside Road Hollister, CA 95023

San Joaquin County Harney Lane Migrant Center 14320 East Harney Lane Lodi, CA 95240 Artesi II 777 West Matthews Road French Camp, CA 95231 Artesi III 333 West Mathews Rd. French Camp, CA 95231 Santa Clara County Arturo Ochoa Migrant Center 903 Arizona Circle Gilroy, CA 95020

Santa Cruz County Buena Vista Migrant Center 113 Terra Alta Watsonville, CA 95076 Solano County F.H. Rehrman Migrant Center 7290 Radio Station Road Dixon, CA 95620 Stanislaus County Patterson 503 Mayette Street Patterson, CA 95837 Westley Migrant Center 696 Livingston Circle Westley, CA 95387

Empire Migrant Center 5130 South Avenue Empire, CA 95319 Sutter County Yuba City Migrant Center 479 Bernard Drive Yuba City, CA 95991 Yolo County Davis Migrant Center 31150 County Road 105 Dixon, CA 95620 Madison Migrant Center 29289 Highway 16 Madison, CA 95653

Temporary Migrant Family Housing Centers and the Office of Migrant Services Continued from previous page

Below is a series of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the OMS and Migrant Family Housing Centers:

What qualifies my family to receive housing services?

To qualify for seasonal housing, an applicant must collect at least 50 percent of their earned income from agricultural work. The type of agricultural work needed to qualify changes from center to center, so it is very important that you contact the individual center where you would like to live. In addition, for at least three months prior to the time you will need housing, your family must live outside of a 50-mile radius from the center where you are applying. Other qualifications, such as immigration status and minimum or maximum income requirements, vary with each center. Please check with your nearest center for this information.

When does temporary housing become available to families?

The Migrant Housing Centers are available for occupancy during the peak growing and harvest season, which is typically April through November, but this period can be extended based on the individual center’s needs.

What is the length of time a family can stay in a unit?

Families may rent the units for a sixmonth (180 day) period. These times

can be extended, however, based on individual center and family needs. It is best to contact the closest center to you for the most updated information.

and referrals to local food banks.

In addition to these services, some centers also have playgrounds for children, baseball diamonds, soccer fields and basketball courts.

Rental rates for 2014 are based on the number of bedrooms in a unit as well as the condition the unit is in. Rates for units will range from $11.00 to $12.50 per day.

What number do I call for more information about the Migrant Family Housing Centers?

What amount will my family pay for rent?

Tell me more about the units Each center’s units will vary, but an average size unit is 600-850 square feet.

Only families qualify for temporary housing, and because of this, there are two, three and four bedroom options available at the centers. Each unit has a living room, dining area, kitchen and a full bathroom.

Are other services, in addition to housing, provided at the centers?

For their resident families, the OMS provides access to the following services: n Laundry centers n Day Care for Children 2-5 years of age n Summer School for children 6-15 years of age n Education tutoring and after school activities n Medical and nutritional services n Counseling and other referral services, such as help with alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence,

If you need information about Temporary Migrant Housing, you can call Maria Montanez, a Community Representative for the California Department of Housing and Community Development at (916) 263-1606. Unfortunately, there is no tollfree number to call, but Maria will be able to answer your questions and direct you to the correct housing center in the area where you will be working. She is available MondayFriday from 9am to 5pm

Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies www.LaCooperativa.org Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California 1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone 916.388.2220 Fax 916.388.2425 Produced with the support of the Employment Development Department Voice of the Fields may be reproduced

Tax Season is upon us…

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f you haven’t already done so, now is the time to gather your financial documents and begin filing your taxes. The deadline to file your taxes is April 15, 2014. The penalty for filing taxes late is severe. So, no matter what the situation is, file your taxes by the deadline. If you do owe money to the IRS, it is also very important to pay on time to avoid expensive fees and interest on the money you owe.

While it is best to pay the taxes you owe in full and on time, there are times when all you need is to get your next paycheck or wait a few weeks until the money is available. If you filed your taxes on time, the IRS will send you a letter in the mail stating how much you owe plus any additional interest.

You can file your taxes one of three ways: n Through professional businesses who employ tax specialists to help with the process (a list of accredited businesses can be found at www.irs. gov.) n You can file online (http://www.irs. gov/Filing) n You can mail your completed documents to the Internal Revenue Service (Correct forms are available at www.irs.gov).

Before filing, your employer will give you a “W-2” form, which tells you how much money you earned in 2013 and how much you paid in taxes. It is important to make sure you receive a W-2 form from each of the employers you worked for in 2013. Use the information provided on the W-2 when filing your taxes. In addition, if you received government assistance, like unemployment or disability insurance

in 2013, you will need to include the amount you were given on your tax forms. If this situation applies to you, you will receive financial information in the mail from the State of California.

Each person’s tax situation is different, so in order to make sure you have included all of the appropriate financial information or documents, it is best to seek out advice from trusted organizations, like the Internal Revenue Service or their volunteer programs.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) The VITA Program provides free tax help to people who make $52,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as EITC. The VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, churches, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.

To find a site near you, you may call: 1-800-906-9887 (Spanish and English options available).

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) The TCE Program offers free tax help for all, with priority assistance to people who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions and issues that are unique to seniors.

Tax return preparation assistance is provided to elderly taxpayers during the normal period for filing Federal income tax returns, which is from January 1 to April 15 each year. However, the program activities required to make sure elderly taxpayers receive efficient and quality tax assistance can be conducted yearround. To find a TCE center near you, call 1-888-227-7669 (Spanish and English options available).

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Low to moderate income filers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This credit can reduce the amount you owe in taxes, and it may also give you a larger refund. If you need help finding out if you qualify for the EITC, or for other tax-related questions, contact the IRS. For more information about filing your 2013 tax return visit www.irs. gov (English and Spanish language available) or call 1-800-829-1040 (Spanish and English options available) Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm.

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract You may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office Active

CalJobs Number

Job Title

Pay Rates

Contract Dates

Positions

City of Job

Employer’s County (for ECMS)

EDD Workforce Service Site Office

1

14040391

Field Crop Workers

$11.01

3/12/14 - 11/8/14

118

Tulelake

Siskiyou

Redding WS (530 )225-2185

2

14046746

Farm Worker,Strawberries

$11.01

3/25/14 - 5/31/14

120

Oxnard

Ventura

W. Oxnard JCC (805) 382-8610

3

14053213

Farm Workers, Lettuce

$11.01

4/6/14 - 11/15/14

125

Santa Maria

Santa Barbara

Santa Maria WS (805) 614-1550

4

14049796

Farm Workers, Vineyard

$11.01

4/1/14 - 11/1/14

12

Cazadero

Sonoma

Sacramento WS (916) 227-0301

5

14048590

Farm Workers, Vineyard

$11.01

4/1/14 - 11/15/14

35

Healdsburg

Sonoma

Sacramento WS (916) 227-0301

6

13898523

Farm Workers, Sheepherder

$1422.52 Mo

on-going

206

California and Western States

California and Western States

Selected EDD WSB Offices

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.

Staying Safe While Seeking Tax Advice

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nderstanding tax issues can be confusing, especially when the required forms and information are not written in one’s native language. When seeking advice about tax concerns, make sure to only rely on an authorized business or person for help. To make sure you work with a qualified and trusted company or individual, it is a good idea to call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-1040 to check the tax preparer’s credentials.

In addition, the IRS has recently warned consumers about a phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, throughout the country.

When the scammers call, victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid quickly through a preloaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license.

In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do: n If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue—if there really is such an issue.

n If you know you don’t owe taxes or

have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some threats like those described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to be cautious against phone and email scams.

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar private information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts.