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How to Open a Bank Account If You Recently Moved to the US

A bank account will help you establish a solid foundation for your financial growth. If you’re a U.S. citizen, opening a bank account is an easy process. However, an immigrant will require following different conditions to get approved for a bank account.

You will need to provide different identification to open a bank account. Under the Patriot Act, credit unions, banks, and other financial institutions must confirm the identity of a person who wants to open a bank account. This requirement was imposed by federal lawmakers in 2001 to deal with the funding of terrorist activities.

While applying for a checking account at a credit union or bank in the U.S., the institution will verify your date of birth, name, ID number, and address. For non-U.S. citizens, the requirements may not be identical to those of citizens. Keep in mind that while some institutions will allow a non-U.S. citizen to open a bank account, not all institutions will extend this ability to you.

Requirements for Opening a Bank Account

Before you can open a bank account, you must meet a few conditions. If you’re an immigrant and want to get started building yourself financially, ensure you meet these requirements:

• Contact information like address, phone number, and name
• Some forms of government-issued ID, like a passport or a valid driver’s license.
• An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security number. For a non-resident without a Social Security number, you will need an ITIN.
• A utility bill with your current address
• A cash deposit (typically from $25 – $100)

These requirements are not constant throughout the U.S., as they vary from state to state. In any situation, you must be at least 18 years old to get a bank account. If you’re an immigrant with a legal right to be in the U.S., you need a few key requirements, including a U.S. address and ITIN.

In most cases, you cannot open an account online unless you’re a U.S. citizen. Instead, you must visit a branch for the bank to open the account.

When you get your bank account, the next step is establishing yourself financially. This means getting a job or starting a business. Despite being an immigrant, you can make money and build a portfolio. One of the options is embracing freelancing.

Before you begin your freelancing career, you should designate a workspace, determine the tools and software needed, and research the best way to find work. There are many job boards you can join to search for your next gigs. You can also use services like Employment Solutions to help you with job training and interview skills.

Alternatives for Identification

Credit unions and banks typically accept different forms of ID if you’re a non-US resident. For example, people who don’t have a Social Security Number can obtain ITINs, which they can use to open a bank account. The IRS offers the nine-digit ITINs, which are only available to some non-resident and resident aliens.

How to Apply for ITIN

To get an ITIN, you should follow a few steps:

• Fill out the W-7 application form, which you should submit to the IRS with completed tax returns.
• Submit documents to verify your identity and status as an immigrant. For this verification process, the IRS accepts 13 documents.

If you’re an immigrant and can’t qualify for a bank account in the U.S., you can try a bank in your home country. Some foreign banks have a relationship with banks in the U.S., so if your bank is one of these, it’s one of the options you can use while in the U.S.

Conclusion

Opening a bank account gives you the opportunity to establish yourself financially. You can manage your savings and also get approved for a loan. Financial institutions may use software with a loan API to verify details about you. These can provide details on various liabilities. As an immigrant, check if you have the right documentation to apply for a bank account. Follow these steps to get started.

This article is brought to you by Employment Solutions, home to a variety of programs providing education, hands on experience, opportunities for enrichment, health and fitness, arts, community inclusion and therapeutic services. Employment Solutions believes that all work is honorable and that work builds self-respect. In addition, Employment Solutions helps people who are disabled or otherwise disadvantaged live as independently as possible while also engaging in satisfying personal pursuits. For more information, please visit our website or contact us today!

Running for Office as a Person With a Disability: Tips for a Successful Campaign Launch

If you’re running for a political office, you’re likely already poised to create great change within your community. But, the desire to make the world a better place isn’t the only thing that you need. Keep reading for tips that can help you make your campaign a success as a new politician and a person with a disability.

Today, Employment Solutions shares a few simple steps you can take as you enter into the world of politics.

Define your platform.

First things first, you need to establish your platform. This is just a political term that describes your goals, aspirations, and position on matters pertinent to the role that you want to play in your local government. For example, you might run as a local community leader to help bring equality on the playground to children with disabilities.

Make sure you’re qualified.

Next, make sure that you are legally and pragmatically qualified for the position that you’re running for. This might include knowing that you live in the proper zone or having the right education to tackle issues upon which you built your platform. If you think you need a stronger set of credentials, plan to go back to school to earn your doctorate or other higher degree. This can set you apart from others while giving you the knowledge you need to fulfill your future duties. Tip: Take classes online so that you don’t have to step away from your life and the community to learn what you need to know.

Gather the troops.

Even if you’re just running for a local alderman seat, you need volunteers and supporters. Start with your family and friends, but don’t be afraid to reach out via social media or to other political groups in your area that align with your platform.

Prepare yourself emotionally.

Being thrust into the public eye after leading a private life is difficult, and it can cause significant stress. The pressures are great, and even some of the most famous celebrities have succumbed to the pressure and stepped away from the limelight. Remember, everything you do from the day you start your campaign becomes the public’s business.

Practice public speaking.

Speaking of the public, you also have to get really comfortable talking in front of a crowd. No matter how self-confident you are, it’s not uncommon to freeze up once you get the mic in your hand. CNBC offers a few suggestions on how to refine your public speaking ability, including greeting your listeners and simply sharing how you feel.

Keep extensive records.

No matter where you live, if you’re running for a political office, you will be required to maintain extensive records and file reports. In most states, you are legally obligated to report all expenditures, contributions, and loans taken out in the name of your office. Depending on where you live and what office you’re running for, you may have to keep more extensive records, and it might be in your best interest to hire a campaign manager or an accountant from the very beginning.

Running for a political office, even a small community seat, is challenging and rewarding all the same time. As a person with a disability, you can put yourself in the unique position to advocate for change for people of all abilities. While this is not meant to be a comprehensive checklist of things you can do for success, each tip above can help you get started on the right foot.

Employment Solutions is committed to providing opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people so they can live self-sufficient and full lives. Visit our site to learn how we can help!

Tips for Launching a Small Business For People With Disabilities

Getting a job can be difficult if you’re disabled. Inadequate accessibility features, inflexible work arrangements, the disability pay gap, and lack of confidence from employers are just a few of the challenges people with disabilities face in the traditional workplace. Starting a business is a great way to leave that all behind and pave your own path!

Thanks to technology and the internet, business ownership has never been more attainable. The ability to build a business plan, register your business online, obtain your employer identification number (EIN), and set up a website has never been more accessible than it is today.

People with disabilities have the power to launch a lucrative business from the comfort of home, minimizing obstacles and capitalizing on their most valuable skills.

Here’s how to get started!

 

Go Back to School

While you don’t need any form of education to start a business, going back to school and earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or an Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree will ensure you have all the skills you need. You’ll learn key skills including human capital management, marketing, accounting, and strategic planning. Whether you decide to go to a traditional university or consider going to school online, explore how each school or online program will be able to accommodate you. Many people have found remote learning to be perfect for their disability.

Others find traditional learning more enriching. An online program can offer the flexibility to learn on your own time and with the tools that make your life easier, but other students with disabilities respond better to a campus where proper accommodations are made, and they can interact with teachers and other students.

Whatever path you take (if you decide upon this route), don’t forget to explore scholarships to help lessen the sting of tuition.

 

Consider Home-Based Business Ideas

Like learning from home, launching a business from home offers greater flexibility to people with disabilities. There is no shortage of great home-based business ideas! You could try dropshipping, produce your own products to sell, or work with established companies to sell their products for a commission. Or you could start a freelancing business offering your skills to clients on a project-by-project basis. If you want to take it a step further, you can launch a service-based industry and hire people to work for you remotely. Getting disability insurance to protect you and any employees you end up hiring is a good idea, too.

Try to pick a business idea that you believe in. Using your personal experiences as a jumping-off point is a great way to develop impactful business ideas. Think about the things you struggle with, whether related to your disability or not, and try to come up with a solution that would help others in your position.

If you’re operating on a tight budget, look for free tools that can help. For example, instead of hiring a web designer, you can use a free website builder to create a functional and engaging site. You can also employ a logo design maker to create a memorable logo that enhances your brand. Choose from thousands of logo templates which you can then resize and customize using your own copy, font, and color scheme.

 

Conduct Market Research

Before moving forward with your business idea, take the time to do some market research. People aren’t going to fall in love with your business just because you think what you’re offering has value. Make sure your target audience can also see the value in your product or service. To get started with market research, Bplans recommends identifying your ideal customers and talking to them.

Social media is a fantastic resource for finding people to talk to about your idea. Use social listening tools to narrow in on a specific audience segment and find people who are talking about the problem you’re trying to solve. You can then message these people to find out what they think about your solution!

 

Take Advantage of Funding Programs

Affordability is another benefit of starting a home-based business. While you won’t have to cover the overhead costs of a physical store, you might need some funding to invest in a new product, purchase supplies, or hire employees.

Thankfully, as business.com notes, small business owners with disabilities can access special funding programs through government groups and private organizations. Get in touch with your local Small Business Development Center to learn about available grants and loan programs, or explore the Benefits Finder at Benefits.gov, the portal of the U.S. government that connects people and businesses to programs and resources at the federal and state level that might help them.

 

Make Time for Self-Care

It’s easy to neglect self-care when you’re lost in the excitement of launching a new business. But taking care of yourself is essential for your long-term success. Prolonged stress will lead to burnout. As you work to get your business off the ground, schedule time for relaxation, hobbies, and socialization. Do things that get you away from the computer and thinking about something other than your business, at least for a few minutes!

If you want to be an entrepreneur, don’t let anything stop you. Running a home-based business is a great way to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams. There are so many tools, resources, and people out there to help you get to where you want to be!

 

Bluegrass Career Services helps those with disabilities find meaningful employment and live independently. To learn more, drop us a line at 859-272-4855!