February 25, 2008

Seniors must file tax return to get stimulus check

IRS Helps Low-Income Senior Citizens Qualify for Economic Stimulus Payments

A special version of a Form 1040A highlights the simple, specific sections to be filled out by low-income seniors, veterans

Feb. 19, 2008 – For many Americans the few hundreds bucks they get as an economic stimulus payment from the government in May is nothing to get excited about. But for millions of lower-income senior citizens and veterans it is a substantial windfall.

The problem is that it is not going to “just happen” for many of these seniors. They must file a tax return for 2007 are they will not be included.

 ...full story (www.Senior Journal.com)

SC ETV offers Digital TV 101 primer

Welcome to Digital TV 101. This is a short course designed to teach you more about the exciting but sometimes byzantine world of digital TV and HDTV.

We'll teach you some of the tips and tricks you'll need to know before America goes to digital TV on midnight of February 17, 2009. Be forewarned, this is good old-fashioned educational television, you may need to review the materials more than once. You can even submit questions we'll answer on future editions of our television program, "Digital TV 101."

As always, we are non-commercial and our content has not been influenced by any vendor toward any product or service.

...see more details

Council also directed that a copy of the resolution be sent to Aiken County Legislative Delegation members.

The Rev. Sam Fulmer spoke heatedly before Council during the Tuesday meeting in opposition of the budget cuts and thanked Council for drafting and approving the resolution. He said many recipients of Meals on Wheels depend on the meals not only for nutrition but also for human contact.

It is also a way for them to prevent moving to a nursing home, he said.

Councilwoman Kathy Rawls echoed Fulmer's sentiments.

"I was just very upset they would cut funding," she said. "In my opinion, they need to increase the funding. My experience is we don't waste any money on the elderly. We have a responsibility to step up and take care of these people."

click to see Aiken County Council Resolution (pdf)

February 21, 2008

click for larger image

1. Linda Davis of Orangeburg explains that the senior meals program helped her stay at home after a fall seriously injured both of her wrists.

2. Rep. Jerry Govan from Orangeburg tells supporters of the senior meals program that he will share his support of the program with the House of  Represenatives.

3. Kim Moore of Chester told supporters of the senior meals program that it gave her "Peace of mind'" to know that her father was getting a hot meal each day after her mother was hospitalized.

4. Sen. Jake Knotts said he would stand up for the senior meals program to receive rucurring funds in the Senate.

5. Sen. Yancey McGill from Kingstree thanked Lt. Governor Bauer for his support of seniors and the leadership he has given to the Office on Aging.

Media Coverage: Possible Cut to Senior Meals Program

The Lieutenant Gov.'s Office on Aging and other advocates of the meals, usually delivered five days a week, are pushing for more money, telling legislators it's far cheaper for taxpayers than the alternative.
"Spend a few dollars on the front end; save a lot of dollars on the back end. That's the conservative approach to government," Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said last week.

from article by Associated Press Writer SEANNA ADCOX
Click here to read entire article (pdf)

Other Media Coverage:  
(last update in italics) 
Anderson Independent “...It was an unfortunate choice”
Augusta Chronicle "...I don't know how I would make it."
Lancaster News "...This is the only meal I get."
Rock Hill Herald "...many elderly and poor that need attention"
Rock Hill Herald "...not only heartless, it also is false economy."
Dillon Herald "...Save The Meals"
Aiken Standard "...Save Senior Meals Program"
Dillon Herald "...Aging Officials Seeking Permanent Funding For Senior Meal"
Hilton Head Island Packet "...Seniors could go hungry if program isn't renewed" 
Chester News & Reporter "...Services called 'lifeline' by Chester County woman"
Chester News & Reporter "...Seniors need meals"
Aiken Standard "...Aiken County Council Opposes Cuts to Senior Meal"
click <here> to see Aiken County Council Resolution (pdf)
Office on Aging "...Bauer Introduces Faces of Those Served by Senior Meal Program"
< photos left
WIS-TV Columba "...Seniors would see meal program cuts under governor's budget plan" 
WSVA-TV Beaufort, Savannah "...Lowcountry Seniors Could Lose Meals"
Orangeburg Times and Democrat "...Elderly meals program should be continue"
The State guest column "...Remembering the needs of seniors"
Fort Mill Times "...Seniors anxious over state food program cuts"  
The Greenville News "...State's seniors shouldn't get lost among budget billions"

(last update in italics)

Report: Supplemental Senior Meals Expenditures Calendar Year 2007 - by County (pdf)

Free Tax Preparation Assistance at Libraries

Area residents can get free help with their taxes at several Charleston County Public Library branches through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program and AARP. Assistance will be available in Spanish at two branches: Cooper River Memorial and John's Island Regional.
The programs target low- to moderate-income residents with AARP also giving special attention to helping residents over 60 years old. For additional tax assistance, you can contact these organization directly: VITA at 965-4037 or 2-1-1, or AARP at 1-888-227-7669.

Branches offering the service and their schedules are:
MAIN LIBRARY, 68 Calhoun Street, downtown: 805-6930
VITA Tax Assistance
Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 29 – April 15 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saturdays, January 26 – April 12 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

COOPER RIVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 3503 Rivers Avenue: 744-2489
Bilingual VITA Tax Assistance
Saturdays, January 26 – April 12 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

DORCHESTER ROAD REGIONAL LIBRARY, 6325 Dorchester Road: 552-6466
AARP Tax Assistance
Tuesdays, February 5 – April 8 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

JOHN’S ISLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY, 3531 Maybank Highway: 559-1945
Bilingual AARP Tax Assistance
Saturdays, February 2 – April 12 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
First come, first served with last person accepted at 1 p.m.

MCCLELLANVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY, 222 Baker Street: 887-3699
Saturdays, February 23, March 15 and March 29 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
By appointment only. Please call 887-3699 for more information.

MT. PLEASANT REGIONAL LIBRARY, 1133 Mathis Ferry Road: 849-6161
VITA Tax Assistance
Saturdays, January 26 – April 12 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
AARP Tax Assistance
Fridays, February 1 – April 11 from 1 – 5 p.m.
Tuesdays, February 5 – April 15 from 1 – 5 p.m.

OTRANTO ROAD REGIONAL LIBRARY, 2261 Otranto Road: 572-4094
AARP Tax Assistance
Thursdays, February 7 – April 10 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

ST. ANDREWS REGIONAL, 1735 N. Woodmere Drive: 766-2546
AARP Tax Assistance
Fridays, February 1 – April 11 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m