You've earned the money

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Find out if you're eligible for the earned income tax credit.

More than $30 million of earned income credit money went unclaimed in the Tampa Bay area last year, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are so concerned qualifying families aren't getting their share, they're offering free tax preparation and filing for families.

Danielle Soler is working to reverse the financial setbacks she and her family have suffered. It started when her husband lost his job. Matters got worse when he was in a severe car accident. Then he was diagnosed with cancer.

"After the cancer he had a major heart attack, which put us in a lot more financial stress," Soler said.

A stress compounded because Soler's husband was unable to return to work.

"He was not of retirement age, so there was no benefits," Soler said. "So basically it's a one-income family of four."

But there was one financial bright spot through it all, the earned income tax credit.

Soler said last year she used her $4,400 refund to make home improvements. This year she plans to pay off some debt.

"I'm going to pay off a little bit more of the medical expenses and things that happened from his heart attack," Soler said.

But it's a financial lifeline too few people are grabbing in the Bay area. That's why the Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties is promoting the tax credit and financial education so families can get ahead.

The tax credit helped Danielle Soler's family. She also works for the Prosperity Campaign.

"We are almost putting our money where our mouth is," Debra Faulk of the Prosperity Campaign said. "We're telling folks make sure you claim this earned income credit, and we are going above and beyond and saying we will help you claim that credit.

"You are getting the service for free. But, the money you get back, you earned it, you're not getting that for free. You earned it, you just didn't know you earned it until somebody told you."

There are certain income and filing requirements to get the earned income tax credit money. But as Soler's story shows, taking the time to answer a few simple questions could keep your family from suffering more than it has to.

Prosperity Campaign representatives said this service will be provided until April 15. It is encouraging all qualifying families to take advantage of this program.

To learn more about free tax services through the Prosperity Campaign, call 211 from a land line.

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