Finally, I have found information on the stimulus package and how it will affect regular, ordinary senior citizens who receive Social Security, even if it is their only source of income.
Of course, I was looking under the wrong title. It’s actually called the Recovery Act. But here is the actual wording from the Social Security Administration Web site:
“Our responsibilities under the Recovery Act include replacing the National Computer Center, dedicating additional resources to the processing of disability and retirement workloads, and issuing a one-time payment of $250 to nearly 55 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. We expect to deliver most of the $250 one-time payments by late May 2009.”
By the end of May, gasoline may be sky high again and we’re sure the cost of food will not go down, so there will be no question about where this $250 will go. Surely with 55 million folks receiving a $250 payment and most people probably spending it right away, the economy will be stimulated a little but I think “recovery” is a stretch.
In other topics, if you are 60 or over, and have low to moderate income, you can get free help filing your tax return this year through the AARP tax sites. There are locations in most towns in this paper’s marketing area. Some require an appointment, some do not.
Biddeford, Ross Center at Community Center, Thursday and Friday, 10 to 4. No appointment necessary. Call 229-6011.
Bridgton, Community Center, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., call 647-3116 for an appointment.
Gorham, Baxter Memorial Library, Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment.
Lyman, Community Library, Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Call for an appointment, 229-6011 or 850-1324.
Sanford, Trafton Senior Center, Mondays, noon to 4 p.m. No appointment. Call 229-6011.
Scarborough, Agency on Aging, Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., appointment needed. Call 396-6526.
Scarborough, Public Library, Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m., appointment needed. Call 883-4723.
South Portland, Public Library, Mondays 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., no appointment needed.
Westbrook, Walker Memorial Library, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., appointment needed. Call 854-0630.
Windham, Unity Gardens, Tuesday 2-7 p.m., appointment needed. Call 776-6316.
It’s probably a good idea to call ahead of time, even if you don’t need an appointment, to make sure you take the paperwork you will need.
According to the latest issue of Senior News from Southern Maine Agency on Aging, there is a free prescription discount card in Cumberland County that can save about 20 percent off the retail price of prescriptions. For more information about this program called CareMark, call 1-877-321-2652 or visit http://www.caremark.com/naco.
Now that spring is in the air – well, almost – my cleaning up of stacks of paperwork has gone into high gear. Once I found out that walking was considered the best exercise (and of course, least expensive) and that it could be a great way to lower cholesterol and boost heart health, I’ve got a new goal in life.
I’ll bet many readers will be glad to get outside and enjoy these brisk early spring days. Find a good, level place to walk in your neighborhood or do as many do and head for the nearest mall or covered area.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
