NEW YORK – An underutilized and underpublicized government benefit program designed to provide financial relief to low-income and unemployed people is the focus of a 15-minute special to be aired weekly at various times on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), Channels 34 (Time Warner) and 109 (RCN) through April 15.
The broadcast, produced by MNN, which is Manhattan’s public access television center, gives viewers important, little-known information on Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), including eligibility requirements, application forms and filing deadlines. Over 200,000 eligible families do not take advantage of these tax reductions and wage supplements.
The EITC special will be presented in an entertaining game show format with compelling graphic cutaways and contestants. For people without access to these channels, the show will be simultaneously streamed on MNN’S website.
Videos of the broadcast will also be made available to members of the New York City Council for distribution to their constituencies.
“This program intends to shed light on an important government benefit that over 200,000 families in New York City who qualify don’t take advantage of simply because there is very little information out there and they just don’t know this relief exists,” said Larian Angelo, MNN Board Chairperson and Budget Director of the New York City Council.
“Together these families would receive over $300 million in tax benefits. By serving as a conduit of information to our citizenry on such a pervasive problem, MNN is providing a vital and much needed service to the community.”
Public Access cable television was created to ensure the ability of the public to exercise their First Amendment rights through the medium of cable television and to create opportunities for mutual communication, education, artistic expression and other non-commercial uses of video facilities on an open, uncensored and equitable basis. MNN is recognized as one of the nation’s leading public access television centers.
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