Individual Development Accounts Program

Helping individuals make significant strides toward financial independence.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) makes it possible for Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska to help refugees and other ORR-eligible populations save money toward the purchase of an asset that will help increase financial independence. The Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Program helps refugees understand what assets are, how the U.S. financial system works, and how to manage their money. Through the IDA program, refugees can save for one of four assets:

  • Car
  • Home purchase
  • To start or support a business
  • Post-secondary education or training

 

To be eligible, you must be in the United States for less than five years. Refugees who wish to save for a car for transportation to school or work must have been in the country for three years or less when enrolling.

 

To enroll in the IDA program, participants must:

  • Have a paying job
  • Earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level
  • Not have more than $10,000 worth of assets, excluding one car and one home

Link to IDA Application