Menu
The Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a special matched savings account to help individuals with modest income save money to invest in post-secondary education, business, specialized employment training or equipment, or a vehicle.
The IDA program is a 5:1 matched savings program. This means that for every $1 you save, the program will match it with $5. If you save $2,400 and fulfill the program requirements, you will earn a match of $12,000—for a total of $14,400.
Please read this flyer (en español) to see if you are eligible—there is a household income limit as well as a limit of personal assets of $20,000 (not including one house, one vehicle and up to $120,000 of retirement savings). If you have any questions, please contact the NEOEDD office at 541 426 3598 for assistance.
Contact NEOEDD to find out if we are currently accepting applications and make an appointment to discuss the application process and requirements.
Fill out the Application and Savings Plan Agreement forms.
Provide proof of county residency (usually a driver’s license or utility bill). Note: NEOEDD can only work with residents of Baker, Union, or Wallowa counties. If you live elsewhere in Oregon, check CASA of Oregon/VIDA’s website to find a service provider near you.
Provide past two months’ income documentation (either pay stubs or a P&L statement for self-employment) and the most recent tax return for the household; or provide proof of public benefits such as TANF, SNAP, WIC, low income housing or heating assistance.
Pay a $25 application fee to CASA of Oregon (the sponsoring organization for this program). You will receive instructions on how to do this once NEOEDD staff have reviewed your application.
The program has a variety of requirements; see the VIDA IDA Handbook for more information.
The IDA program is supported in part by an Oregon tax credit. If you’d like to learn more about donating to this program, read the IDA Tax Credit FAQs.
The IDA program can be an amazing boost to a small business or other endeavor, but it can be complicated! Please ask questions at any point in the process.
A small-business saver must complete a free financial education course, a free workshop series offered by NEOEDD, and complete a business plan that NEOEDD and CASA must approve. NEOEDD provides coaching to help you complete your business plan.
An education saver must complete a free financial education course, a worksheet detailing a minimum of 6 hours of education-specific research (e.g. researching your course of study, meeting with a counselor or financial aid officer at your school).
A vehicle saver must complete a free financial education course and complete a series of self-directed vehicle educational activities. There are additional rules about how you may purchase the vehicle; please inquire with NEOEDD staff.
The IDA program considers your entire household’s income and net worth when it determines whether you’re qualified for the program. This includes your income, savings, and assets, as well as those of your spouse’s/domestic partner’s and any of any children residing in your home.
Roommates or housemates who have completely separate bank accounts, tax returns, etc., do not constitute a “household” for IDA purposes.
If you currently qualify for the IDA but your tax return shows more income than you’re currently earning, or you have experienced a divorce or other major change to your household, talk to NEOEDD staff. It’s possible you can still be eligible for the program based on your current income.
Provide your most recent pay stubs from a seasonal employer along with a written explanation of the terms of employment.
Copies of bank statements showing deposits of payment for work performed, copies of receipts for payments received, copies of business financial records (income and expense) and other evidence can be used to document self-employment income.
With one exception, IDAs are used for new purchases made after all of the program’s requirements have been met. The exception is that IDA education savers may request IDA funds to pay for student loan debt, as long as the saver is still enrolled as a student. Student loan debt is not eligible for payment if the saver is no longer in college.
The things you need to consider are:
This cheat sheet may help you visualize your options. You may also make up to three “lump sum” deposits (one per savings year). Making lump sum deposits can reduce your monthly deposit amount.
The money in the savings account is always yours, and you will be able to withdraw it should you need to leave the program. It is also possible to make one pre-approved matched withdrawal for emergency expenses (car repair, moving expense, medical or any other unforeseen and urgent need). However, most match funds are only accessible by completing the program requirements. There may be a delay of up to two weeks between your request to withdraw funds and approval of the withdrawal.
Yes; they need to be 12 or older and, once accepted into the program, will open an independent bank account. They will need to qualify using the entire household income, and have their own income (babysitting, lawn mowing, employment in a local business, etc.). You can also use IDA savings to set up a 529 college savings plan to pay future college expenses for yourself, your children and other close relatives.
Yes, but not through NEOEDD. Community Connection of Northeast Oregon provides IDAs for people saving toward obtaining rental housing and for first-time homebuyers https://ccno.org/housing-and-homeownership-programs/.
609
Entrepreneurs and Businesses Served
31
Workshops for Entrepreneurs
$1,854,461
Covid-Relief Dollars Invested in Businesses
Please use this form to submit projects for potential inclusion in the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Once projects are included, you can use the CEDS to demonstrate that your project has been listed in a regional plan. Projects should have a positive impact on economic or community development.
To be included in the CEDS, projects must have a public or non-profit sponsor. Private projects should not be submitted and will not be included in the CEDS.
You may submit multiple projects by returning to this page. The space for providing answers will expand. Please rank the projects that you are submitting, with 1 being your first priority, 2 your second priority, and so on.
The NEOEDD board will consider new project additions at their quarterly meetings.