Hispanic Federation

The Hispanic Federation partners with community-based organizations across the U.S. to support Latino and Caribbean families. Some of their services include:

• Free financial literacy workshops
• Help finding affordable housing, food, and healthcare
• Job readiness and English language programs
• Emergency assistance for disaster relief or hardship

Programs are often offered in English and Spanish.

Juntos Avanzamos Credit Unions

Juntos Avanzamos means “Together We Advance.” This network of credit unions is committed to serving immigrant communities, including those from the Caribbean. Key features include:

• Bilingual staff and materials
• Acceptance of ITINs and alternative IDs
• Access to affordable credit and small personal loans
• Financial education workshops

Many Juntos Avanzamos credit unions also offer safe remittance services, helping members send money home at lower costs.

. 

211 Hotline

Dialing 211 connects you with local services based on your ZIP code. It’s a free, confidential hotline run by United Way and other nonprofits.

You can call 211 to get help with:

• Food assistance and utility bills
• Free tax filing help
• Job training or employment support
• Emergency housing
• Legal aid or immigration services

Operators speak multiple languages and can refer you to programs that understand the challenges immigrants face, including financial stress, limited paperwork, or gaps in income.

Remittances and Familial Support

Sending money to family back home is a top priority for many Caribbean immigrants, even when money is tight. Whether it’s for rent, school fees, or medical care, these regular remittances can take up a large part of your income.

Seasonal Income Fluctuations

Many Caribbean immigrants work in industries with seasonal or unstable pay—like hospitality, agriculture, or home care. During busy months, income might be high. During slow seasons, it may drop with little warning.

This makes it hard to plan ahead. One solution is to build a basic emergency fund during high-earning periods, even if you can only save a little at a time.

Adapting from Informal Economies

In many Caribbean countries, informal work and community-based savings systems (like susu or pardner) are common. These systems rely on trust and community, not paperwork or credit scores. But in the U.S., many bills, jobs, and financial tools are tied to banks, credit reports, and legal documents. Adjusting to this can feel confusing and risky.

How to Open a Bank Account Without a Social Security Number

Some Caribbean immigrants don’t have a Social Security number but still want a safe place to keep money. The good news is that some banks and credit unions accept other forms of ID.

What you can usually use:

• An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• A valid passport or consular ID
• Proof of address like a lease, utility bill, or employer letter

Where to look:

• Community credit unions, especially those in the Juntos Avanzamos network
• Digital banks like MAJORITY or Chime, which are often more flexible

Starting to Build Credit—Even If You’re New

You don’t need a long history or big salary to start building credit. You just need the right tools and a plan to pay on time.

Two common ways to start:

• Secured credit cards: You pay a deposit (usually $200–$500) and use the card like normal. When you make payments on time, your activity is reported to the credit bureaus.
• Credit-building loans: These are small loans where your payments are reported to the credit bureaus to help you build a credit history. You don’t get the money upfront—instead, it’s held in a savings account until you finish paying it off.

Keep Banking Safe and Simple

If you’re worried about banks because of past experiences, start small and keep it low-risk. Many people open accounts but only keep a limited balance until they feel more confident.

Simple steps that can help:

• Use direct deposit: Ask your employer to send your paycheck straight to your bank account. It’s faster, safer, and helps you avoid check-cashing fees.
• Turn on mobile alerts: Set up text or app notifications to track your balance, deposits, or upcoming payments. This can help you avoid overdraft fees or late charges.
• Keep savings in a separate account: Even setting aside $20 in a separate account can help you avoid spending money you meant to save for rent or emergencies.

If anything feels confusing, ask for help. Many credit unions, nonprofits, and even libraries offer free financial help in person or by phone.

“Dream” Immigration Scams From Fake Attorneys

Some scammers pretend to be immigration lawyers or “notarios” who promise green cards, work permits, or family visas—fast and for a fee. These people are often not licensed and may take your money without doing any real legal work. Worse, they may file incorrect paperwork that hurts your case.

How to stay safe:

• Always ask to see proof of a law license
• Never sign blank forms
• Use trusted directories like immigrationadvocates.org to find verified legal help

Lottery Scams

Some scammers contact people claiming they’ve won a U.S. visa lottery, cash prize, or green card lottery—if they pay a fee first. They may use emails, calls, or even fake government websites to look official. These scams are common in communities with relatives hoping to move to the U.S.

Warning signs:

• Being asked to pay in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
• Pressure to act quickly or “lose your spot”
• Emails or calls from unofficial addresses

Parole and Relief Program Fee Scams

With new immigration relief programs for people from Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, and other Caribbean countries, scammers have found new ways to steal money. Some offer to “speed up” parole applications or TPS (Temporary Protected Status) in exchange for upfront fees.

What to know:

• Real immigration forms are free to download at uscis.gov
• USCIS will never call or email asking for payment
• You don’t need a middleman to apply—help is available through nonprofits