Individual Development Account (IDA) Program (Northeast Oregon Economic Development District)

Individual Development Account (IDA) Program (Northeast Oregon Economic Development District) is sponsored by Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD). The IDA program is a special matched savings account to help individuals with modest income save money to invest in post-secondary education, business, specialized employment training or equipment, or a vehicle.

Individual Development Account - Northeast Oregon Economic Development District Individual Development Account Individual Development Account The Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a special matched savings account to help individuals with modest income save money to invest in post-secondary education, business, specialized employment training or equipment, or a vehicle. The IDA program is a 5:1 matched savings program.

This means that for every $1 you save, the program will match it with $5. If you save $2,000 and fulfill the program requirements, you will earn a match of $10,000—for a total of $12,000. Please read this flyer ( in English ) ( en e spañol ) to see if you are eligible—there is a household income limit as well as a limit of personal assets of $20,000 (not including one house, one vehicle and up to $120,000 of retirement savings).

If you have any questions, please contact the NEOEDD office at 541 426 3598 for assistance. Since IDA funding is very limited, NEOEDD will not provide a second IDA for a saver until they have waited two years from their final withdrawal from a previous IDA. The program has a variety of requirements; see the VIDA IDA Handbook for more information.

The IDA program is supported in part by an Oregon tax credit. If you’d like to learn more about donating to this program, read the IDA Tax Credit FAQs . Accepting Intake Forms starting October 1, 2025 Thank you for your interest in the IDA program.

The first lottery round was held on November 3, 2025. Selected winners will receive instructions on completing the next steps in the application process via email. If funding remains after the first round, we will hold a second lottery.

If you submitted a form for the first lottery and were not selected, you do not need to resubmit the intake form; you will be automatically entered into the second round. We will post updates about a second lottery once more funding is confirmed. You are free to submit this intake form at any time.

NOTE: You must be a resident of Baker, Union, or Wallowa County. Our program supports the following assets categories: business, education, assistive technology, and vehicle. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Which Northeast Oregon county do you live in? (Required) Which asset class would you like to save for? (Required) Specialized employment training Do you identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or Person of Color)?

(Required) Have you been through the IDA program before? (Required) Have you completed the program in the last 2 years (between June 2023 to present)? (Required) Contact NEOEDD to find out if we are currently accepting applications and make an appointment to discuss the application process and requirements.

Fill out the Intake Form: https://neoedd. org/ida-intake-form/ Provide proof of county residency (usually a driver’s license or utility bill). Note: NEOEDD can only work with residents of Baker, Union, or Wallowa counties.

If you live elsewhere in Oregon, check CASA of Oregon /VIDA’s website to find a service provider near you. Provide past two months’ income documentation (either pay stubs or a P&L statement for self-employment); or provide proof of public benefits such as TANF, SNAP, WIC, low income housing or heating assistance. Pay a $25 application fee to CASA of Oregon (the sponsoring organization for this program).

You will receive instructions on how to do this once NEOEDD staff have reviewed your application. The IDA program can be an amazing boost to a small business or other endeavor, but it can be complicated! Please ask questions at any point in the process.

What is required of a small business saver before they can begin withdrawing funds? A small-business saver must complete a free financial education course, a free workshop series offered by NEOEDD, and complete a business plan that NEOEDD and CASA must approve. NEOEDD provides coaching to help you complete your business plan.

What is required of an education saver before they can begin withdrawing funds? An education saver must complete a free financial education course, a worksheet detailing a minimum of 6 hours of education-specific research (e.g. researching your course of study, meeting with a counselor or financial aid officer at your school). What is required of a vehicle saver before they can begin withdrawing funds?

A vehicle saver must complete a free financial education course and complete a series of self-directed vehicle educational activities. There are additional rules about how you may purchase the vehicle; please inquire with NEOEDD staff. What does “household” income mean?

The IDA program considers your entire household’s income and net worth when it determines whether you’re qualified for the program. This includes your income, savings, and assets, as well as those of your spouse’s/domestic partner’s and any of any children residing in your home. Roommates or housemates who have completely separate bank accounts, tax returns, etc., do not constitute a “household” for IDA purposes.

What if my income has changed significantly since my last tax return? If you currently qualify for the IDA but your tax return shows more income than you’re currently earning, or you have experienced a divorce or other major change to your household, talk to NEOEDD staff. It’s possible you can still be eligible for the program based on your current income.

What if I have seasonal or otherwise sporadic income as an employee? Provide your most recent pay stubs from a seasonal employer along with a written explanation of the terms of employment. What if I have self-employment income (small business, odd jobs, etc.)?

Copies of bank statements showing deposits of payment for work performed, copies of receipts for payments received, copies of business financial records (income and expense) and other evidence can be used to document self-employment income. May I use my IDA to pay for past purchases or debt? With one exception, IDAs are used for new purchases made after all of the program’s requirements have been met.

The exception is that IDA education savers may request IDA funds to pay for student loan debt, as long as the saver is still enrolled as a student. Student loan debt is not eligible for payment if the saver is no longer in college. How should I prepare to fill out the Savings Plan Agreement?

The things you need to consider are: What am I saving for? (E.g. vehicle, industrial sewing machine, new website, college, etc.) How much money do I need for that? How much time will it take me to save that much?

You may also make up to three “lump sum” deposits (one per savings year). Making lump sum deposits can reduce your monthly deposit amount. What if I start saving, and then I miss deposits or need the money I’ve saved for an emergency?

The money in the savings account is always yours, and you will be able to withdraw it should you need to leave the program. It is also possible to make one pre-approved matched withdrawal for emergency expenses (car repair, moving expense, medical or any other unforeseen and urgent need). However, most match funds are only accessible by completing the program requirements.

There may be a delay of up to two weeks between your request to withdraw funds and approval of the withdrawal. May children use this program to save for college? Yes; they need to be 12 or older and, once accepted into the program, will open an independent bank account.

They will need to qualify using the entire household income, and have their own income (babysitting, lawn mowing, employment in a local business, etc.). You can also use IDA savings to set up a 529 college savings plan to pay future college expenses for yourself, your children and other close relatives. May I save for a house down payment or rental expenses?

Yes, but not through NEOEDD. Community Connection of Northeast Oregon provides IDAs for people saving toward obtaining rental housing and for first-time homebuyers https://ccno. org/housing-and-homeownership-programs/ .

Project Submission Form: Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties Please use this form to submit projects for potential inclusion in the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Once projects are included, you can use the CEDS to demonstrate that your project has been listed in a regional plan. Projects should have a positive impact on economic or community development.

To be included in the CEDS, projects must have a public or non-profit sponsor. Private projects should not be submitted and will not be included in the CEDS. You may submit multiple projects by returning to this page.

The space for providing answers will expand. The NEOEDD board will consider new project additions at their quarterly meetings. What type of project is this?

Facility Construction/Rehab Technical Assistance Infrastructure Planning Other Provide a short description of the project. If the project supports the development of needed housing, please describe how it is related. How many jobs do you expect the project to create?

If none, enter 0. What is the expected cost of this project? What funding sources have you identified?

When do you expect to start and finish the project? Do you have additional information about the project? Where is the project located?

Baker County Union County Wallowa County Other What is your entity/affiliation Name? What is your e-mail address? What is your phone number?