Neighborhood Assets FAQs I've been told that a bank won't give me an account - can you still help me? Most people who come to Neighborhood Assets cannot get a bank account on their own because of a record in ChexSystems. In nearly every case we can still help you to establish a savings account. Do I need to make an appointment to sign up? Neighborhood Assets does have open enrollment on Monday and Thursday afternoons between 1:30 and 4:30 at our 212 S. Wall Street office. If you cannot make either of these times, we welcome you to call 456-7174 and make an individual appointment with one of our counselors. Can I submit my application online? Unfortunately, due to federal identification requirements, applications must be submitted in person. We will need to see a valid (not expired or punched) photo ID. Will I get my account the same day I apply? The Neighborhood Assets Program requires that participants complete a three hour financial skills seminar before the account can be opened. We will usually contact you within seven days of your class to let you know that your account has been opened. At this point we will make a new appointment to finish credit union paperwork, schedule your first credit counseling appointment and receive your new credit union membership card. What are the other program requirements? Neighborhood Assets participants are required to take one three-hour financial skills seminar before the account can be opened. After the account is open, participants are asked to attend a minimum of six one-hour credit counseling sessions. These consist of one credit counseling session per month for three months, followed by one credit counseling session every three months for nine months. Appointments are scheduled individually to meet your schedule. Participants are expected to create monthly budgets, track income and expenses, and to create a debt repayment plan wherever feasible. Can I get a loan from you? When you join Neighborhood Assets you become a member of one of our participating credit unions. As you prove to your credit union that you are credit worthy, such as by participation in the financial classes and counseling and saving money and paying off your debts, you may be considered for a credit card or a small loan. If you make repayments on time, every time, you will have the chance to quality for a larger loan later on. One of the goals of Neighborhood Assets is to help you become credit worthy so that you have access to credit when you need it. Through SNAP's new Vehicle Loan Program we can also provide loan assistance to acquire a vehicle, avoid payday loans, and settle urgent financial situations. Where can I cash my check? We do not handle cash at the Neighborhood Assets office. Five different credit unions in Spokane, however, participate in shared branching, which means that you can deposit, withdraw and cash checks at any of those credit union branches at your convenience. Our partnership credit unions are Numerica Credit Union and Washington State Employees Credit Union. The other shared branching credit unions are Spokane Federal Credit Union, Spokane Teachers Credit Union, and Global Credit Union. Be aware however, you have to go inside to do shared branching. When can I get an ATM card? Most participants become eligible for an ATM card after participating in the program for 3 months. This means that you have been making regular budgets, using your account, attending the required financial skills seminar and counseling sessions, and putting money into savings. When can I get a checking account? Most participants become eligible for a checking account after fully participating in the program for 6 months. This means that in addition to using your account, putting money into savings, and attending the required financial skills seminar and counseling sessions, you are also making payments on your delinquent debts. When can I get a debit card? Participants become eligible for a debit card after having a checking account for at least one month. Eligibility is also dependent on credit union satisfaction with account use, program participation, and debt pay. Contact Us Terri Stoflet, Financial Services Program Manager 456-7174 stoflet@snapwa.org