SAM Participants Eligibility

• Reside in the cities of New Haven, Hamden, West Haven and East Haven
• Have a basic understanding of financial matters
• Are households with earned (work) income, but who are challenged to meet their financial goals (saving for college or a car or home purchase) or live within their budgets  (there are no income restrictions to receive services, however the program is geared toward low to middle income households)
• Desire to increase financial knowledge and skill sets
• Attend a SAM program interview in person or by phone
• Meet with assigned budget coach face-to-face monthly over the four month SAM program period 
• Participate in three telephone check-in discussions with assigned budget coach over the four month SAM program period
• Participate in a SAM exit interview to share your program experience with SAM program staff

SAM is NOT a match for households in a financial crisis (e.g. facing foreclosure/eviction), without work income or who cannot commit to the four month program period.