STATE OF CONNECTICUT – HOMEOWNERS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM                                        and the CITY OF MILFORD – LOCAL TAX CREDIT BENEFIT

Applications for the State of Connecticut Homeowners Tax Credit Program and the City of Milford Local Tax Credit Benefit are being taken in the Assessors office located at the Parson’s Government Complex, 70 West River St.

Eligibility for benefits shall be based upon applicant’s proof of ownership as of October 1, 2018, resident status and financial eligibility. A qualified applicant must be 65 years of age by December 31, 2018, also those persons under age 65 who are considered 100% Social Security Disabled may apply.  If you are qualifying as 100% disabled, please bring a current printout from Social Security which must include a statement of your disability and when it began. Please ask for a BPQY.  To receive a printout, please call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

                                                           THE APPLICATION FILING PERIOD IS:                                                               FEBRUARY 1, 2019 THROUGH MAY 15, 2019

                                               9:00a.m. To 12:00p.m                       2:00p.m. To 4:00p.m.                                                APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE TAKEN DURING THE ABOVE TIME PERIODS

              MAXIMUM INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THIS YEAR ARE:

                                                   State of Connecticut – Homeowners Tax Credit Program                                                                                         $36,000 – Single Person                     $43,900 – Married Couple

                                                              City of Milford – Local Tax Credit Benefit                                                                      $51,000 – Single Person                     $58,900 – Married Couple

Qualifying income is defined as all taxable and nontaxable income. This definition includes taxable income as may be reported for Federal Income Tax purposes, as well as nontaxable income.  All monies received are to be considered part of qualifying income, unless specifically exempted.

PLEASE BRING WITH YOU THE FOLLOWING:

If a Federal Income Tax Return is filed for 2018, it is a statutory requirement that a copy must be presented to our office.  Please bring the entire Federal Income Tax Return.  In addition to the Federal Income Tax Return for 2018, if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement earnings, please bring the 2018 SSA-1099 (for both spouses).  If you are receiving Veteran pensions and Veteran Disability Pensions please provide a letter from the VA  (1-800-827-1000) stating total earnings for 2018.

If you do not file a Federal Income Tax Return for 2018, please bring all proofs of income for 2018.  For example, bring in statements of wages, bonuses, commissions, fees, gratuities, payment for Jury Duty, lottery winnings, annuities and pensions, IRA  distributions, interest, dividends, net rent or proceeds from sales of property, Veteran Pensions and Veteran Disability Pensions, and any other proofs of income (taxable and non-taxable).  If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement earnings, please bring the 2018 SSA-1099 (for both spouses).

If you have any questions, please contact the Assessors office at (203) 783-3215.

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON THE PROGRAM AND FAIL TO RENEW BY THE DEADLINE ON YOUR YEAR TO REPORT, YOUR   BENEFIT WILL BE REMOVED.

FROM THE DESK OF EDITOR, ELEANORE MYERS TURKINGTON

Although the weather channel is predicting a cold, rainy day for today, I have chosen to ignore those dire warnings.  This afternoon I think I’ll take a stroll around our back yard and see if there is any green life popping up from the partially frozen ground. March can be a nasty month, however March can also be a delightful month. We can brighten our days with happy activities to those found at our Center, perhaps sitting across from a bridge player or pinochle partner, enjoying the various challenges.  We have a number of exercise programs, always met with enthusiasm by members. Come on in!  Sit down with one of our travel planners and choose a trip locally or maybe in some faraway place.  If you are a music lover, you may want to check out our monthly bulletin to see when the next concert is scheduled. By the way, Milford Hospital is seeking volunteers, inviting folks to participate in their various programs. You may call 203-876-4002 for more information. A reminder, there is a receptacle placed in the lobby of the Milford Police Department where you can drop your unused and expired prescriptions. For those stamp collectors, I have a container filled with donated, cancelled postage stamps. Please call me 203 877-5131 if you would like them. Meanwhile, let’s think sunshine, warmth, flowers and SPRING! 

 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Stephanie Armshaw, Thomas Brochard, Mary Ellen Childs, Carol Davidson, Rick Decicco, James Englis, Lorraine Faiella, Russ Fetcho, Diane Fitzpatrick, Marilyn Goodless, Margaret Harser-Kaplan and  Jameson Howanec.  Also J. Peter Jaynes, Steven Kaplan, Doris Krzykwa, Dorothy (Holly) Knauert, Lori LaReau, Ronald G. Masury, Susan McKenna and Ray Nichols. Also, Edward Pasenelli, John Pendleton, Ann Pucko, Faith Reardon, Beatrice Robertson, Robert Rouse,  Arlene Schwartz, Holly Sickles, Kenneth Sumner, Donald Thomsen, Tommaso Tucciarone, Barbara Wagner, Kim Wilhelm, Elizabeth B. Wright, Wilton Wright, Helga Wuestefeld, Andrew Zappas and Lee Zappas.

MILFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL VISITED OUR CENTER

Milford Senior Center staff members attended a presentation “ Until Help Arrives” at the Center recently.  Procedures to follow when assistance is required were  explained and demonstrated including participation on how to apply  a tourniquet during an emergency. Battalion Chief Dan Wassmer, right and Captain Stephen Rabel guided the group through various procedures, illustrating the program through  Power Point viewing. 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SENDS SCAM WARNING

The Social Security Administration has warned the elderly of a telephone scam that they need to know. Social 

Security will never call and  ask you for your social security  number. It won’t ask you to pay anything or threaten your benefits.

Your caller ID might show the SSA real number but that is not the real SSA calling.  Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. (You can’t  trust what you see here.) Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you in this way.  Do not confirm the last 4 digits.  Do not give your bank account or credit account number ever to anyone by phone asking for it.

Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card or send cash is always a scammer no matter who they say they are. If you are worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone! Then call the SSA  the real phone number is 1-800-772-1213.

AHRENS PROGRAM

There are openings available in the Ahrens Program at our Center. The Ahrens Program provides recreation, nutrition and educational activities for older adults with cognitive impairments. The program also enables   caregivers to have several hours of respite while the participant is being supervised by staff members and  volunteers.  Please call Christine Lyas, Social Service Worker at  203- 877-5131 for details on this program.

THANK YOU SUBWAY!

Subway has donated 100, $5.00 gift certificates  for our welcome bags, which are given to Milford  residents 55 years of age and older who signed up as new members  of the  Milford Senior Center.

GOODBYE RACHEL

The Milford Senior Center staff and volunteers offer our condolences to the family on the recent passing  of Rachel White-Reilly.  Rachel, a driver in our Transportation Department, was an over 20 year employee and well liked for her smile and caring personality.

COMPANION FOR OLDER ADULTS

The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut has a companion program for older adults.  The companion can     provide companionship for up to 6 hours a day, five days a week. This program is available for people over the age of 65 who live in Milford.  For more information please contact Beverly Kidder at 203 785- 8533 ext 3161.