In The News

(French Camp, CA) — Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) and its VITA coalition partners are pleased to announce the return of free tax filing services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, continuing a collaborative effort to support the financial stability of San Joaquin County residents.

Following a successful first year, the local VITA coalition helped community members file 1,732 tax returns, resulting in $3,869,640 in refunds and tax credits returned directly to families and individuals across the county. These funds helped residents cover essential needs such as housing, food, childcare, transportation, and healthcare—strengthening household stability and overall community well-being.

Building on this momentum, Health Plan is once again partnering with trusted local organizations to expand access to free, IRS-certified tax preparation services during the current tax season. Services are available to eligible community residents who earn $70,000 or less annually.

“Last year’s results clearly demonstrated the power of trusted partnerships and accessible services,” said Lizeth Granados, Chief Executive Officer of Health Plan of San Joaquin. “Each year, millions of dollars are left unclaimed simply because San Joaquin County residents lack access to free, reliable tax preparation. By bringing these services back for a second year, we are helping families keep more of what they earn—money that directly supports their health, their family, and their quality of life.”

The VITA program is part of a countywide effort led by United Way of San Joaquin County to increase tax credit awareness and refund opportunities for working families and individuals. This initiative builds on more than two decades of community-led work and continues the legacy of longtime VITA advocates and program coordinators, along with partners United Way of San Joaquin County, Community Partnership for Families, California State University Stanislaus (Stockton Campus), 211 San Joaquin and El Concilio.

“VITA is a powerful anti-poverty tool,” said Kristen Birtwhistle, President and CEO of United Way of San Joaquin County. “Tax credits can be life-changing for families, helping them stay housed, put food on the table, and move toward financial stability. We’re excited to continue expanding VITA services this year and to build on the incredible impact we saw across our community last tax season.”

This year’s VITA services will run from February 7th through April 11th and once again be supported by trained volunteers who complete more than 40 hours of IRS-approved training and pass certification exams to ensure accurate, high-quality tax preparation. Appointments will be available at multiple locations throughout San Joaquin County, including Health Plan’s main office in French Camp.

Residents can begin scheduling appointments through 211 San Joaquin, operated by the Family Resource Agency, whose trained staff will connect callers with available tax assistance sites.

To learn more about eligibility, locations, and scheduling, visit www.hpsj.com/taxhelp

Health Plan and its partners look forward to continuing this important work and expanding access to free tax assistance—helping even more families maximize their returns and invest in a healthier, more secure future.

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Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan serves over 390,000 members in Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. Visit the website at www.HPSJ-MVHP.org

Media Contact:
Vena Ford, Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan, vford@hpsj.com