SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY Senior Information Guide

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There are no age or income requirements. You will not be charged property tax on a portion of your home’s market value. To receive the full reduction you must fi le between January 1 and February 15. An 80% reduction is available if you fi le between February 16 and December 10. There is no need to re-fi le for this exemption (reduction) each year, provided you continue to own and occupy the same dwelling for six continuous months. Information is available from the County Assessor’s offi ce. Veterans’ Exemption To be eligible for a Veterans’ Exemption, a veteran must have been a resident of California as of January 1. Also, a single veteran or a non-remarried surviving spouse of a veteran must not have assets valued at more than $5,000. A married veteran must not have assets valued at more than $10,000. Disabled Veterans’ Exemption To be eligible for a Disabled Veterans’ Exemption, a veteran must be rated 100% disabled, blind or a paraplegic due to service-connected disability while in the armed forces (or if a non-remarried surviving spouse of such a veteran or one who died of service-connected causes while on active duty). May be eligible for an exemption of up to $150,000 off the assessed value of the home. 2. Renter’s Credit You may receive Renter’s Tax Credit if you were a California resident and rented your residence. Claim is fi led with the State Franchise Tax Board. You may fi le even if you do not fi le an income tax form. Deadline is April 15 each year. 3. Renter’s Assistance Available if you are 62 or older, blind or disabled, have occupied a rented residence sometime between January 1 and December 31, and have a yearly household income of not more than $42,770. Application fi ling period begins July 1st. Forms are available through the State Franchise Tax Board. 4. Homeowner’s Assistance A refund of a portion of your property tax (on a graduated basis) if you are a homeowner 62 or older, blind or disabled and have a yearly household income of not more than $42,770. Application fi ling period begins July 1st. Forms are available through the State Franchise Tax Board. You may fi le for both Homeowners’ Assistance and Senior Citizens Property Tax Postponement, as they are two separate programs. 5. Senior Citizens Property Tax Postponement Enables qualifi ed homeowners to postpone payment of part or all of the property taxes on their home. Recorded homeowners must be 62 or older, blind or disabled, must Financial Matters have owned and occupied the property as a principal place of residence on December 31st of the preceding year; household income must not exceed $24,000. Filing period is May 15 through December 10. You may fi le for both homeowner assistance and postponement (these are separate programs). Claim must be postmarked no later than December 10 to avoid delinquency penalty. When you postpone your taxes, an account will be established at the State Controller’s offi ce in your name. Because the State of California pays the taxes for you, a security document, in the form of a Property Tax Postponement Lien, will be recorded on your home. A simple interest rate will be charged each year on the postponed amount. The lien and interest are not due until you move out, sell or die and do not have a spouse or other qualifi ed individual who continues to reside in the home, or if you allow future property taxes to become delinquent. You may pay all or part of the lien at any time. Participation in the program is voluntary. You must fi le for each year you want postponement. For more information call State Controllers Offi ce. 6. Other Tax Assistance · Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Available at locations throughout San Luis Obispo County. Volunteers are trained by IRS and the Franchise Tax Board to assist in the preparation of your state and federal income tax, renters credit, homeowner’s assistance and renter’s assistance forms and to answer questions regarding the various tax programs. An appointment is usually necessary. · Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Specially-trained volunteers are available in local communities during tax time to help taxpayers 60+ complete their own federal tax forms. This free program is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. Services for individuals who are unable to leave their homes are also available. To be connected to a database and web address that provides information on local tax aide sites, call 888-AARPNOW, 888-227-7669 or 800-510-2020. Or check the web site www.aarp.org/taxaide/. AARP TAx Aide Program is the largest provider of free income tax preparation in San Luis Obispo County, preparing both federal and state returns. There are fi ve (5) sites available between February and April throughout the County by appointment only. Call 473-3238. For any questions regarding California Personal Income Tax, Bank and Corporation Tax, Homeowner’s and Renter’s Assistance, or deductions for Senior Citizens, Disabled or Blind, call the state Franchise Tax Board at 800-852-5711 or www.ftb.ca.gov. Tax assistance if you have a visual, hearing or speech impairment: TDD number is 800-822- 6268 or California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. 2007-2009 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SENIOR INFORMATION GUIDE 41
Financial Matters For questions regarding Federal Tax Forms, tax information, or problem resolution, call the Internal Revenue Service or check the website, www.irs.gov or 800-829-1040. For questions regarding your property taxes, contact the County Assessor’s Offi ce. · Special Income Tax Credit for the Elderly or Disabled This tax credit is available only to US citizens who are at least 65 at the end of the taxable year OR who are under 65 at the end of the taxable year and retired on permanent and total disability (you cannot have reached retirement age — as established by your employer) and you must have received taxable disability benefi ts. Schedule “R’’ (Form 1040), “Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled,’’ must be fi led with your income tax return. All eligibility requirements and a full explanation of the credit is described on Schedule “R.” To obtain Schedule “R,” call 800-829-3676. Paying for Health Care Medicare Medicare is the federal health insurance program which began in 1966. Local Social Security offi ces take applications and provide information and assistance. The government contracts with private insurers to handle claims. Medicare covers persons age 65 and over who are entitled to Social Security benefi ts, some disabled persons, and persons with permanent kidney failure. Medicare may be purchased by people over age 65 who are not eligible under these guidelines. Contact your nearest Social Security offi ce for details. Applying for Medicare You are eligible for Medicare at age 65. Medicare is divided into two parts. Part A is insurance intended to cover hospitalization and certain other specifi ed types of care. Everyone who has 40 quarters of Social Security coverage qualifi es for Medicare Part A automatically. Part B, which is outpatient medical insurance, is optional. There is a monthly charge for Part B, and the amount will be deducted from your Social Security check. Most people choose to enroll in Part B. If you delay there is a 10% penalty on the monthly Part B premium for each year you delay. This penalty continues for the remainder of your life. If you continue to work past age 65 and have medical coverage through your place of employment or your spouse’s employment, you may delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B until the time you do retire with no attached penalty. If you plan to retire at age 65, the enrollment period is from three months prior to your birth month in which you reach age 65 until three months after your birth month. 42 2007-2009 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SENIOR INFORMATION GUIDE To Find Out About Coverage Medicare has free pamphlets that describe Medicare coverage. Medicare and You, a handbook, is updated annually and is an invaluable tool in answering many questions as they arise. Local programs exist that can answer the many questions you may have about your Medicare benefi ts. Be aware that there are a number of seemingly medically-related procedures that are not covered by Medicare. It is best to ask your physician if procedures that s/he recommends are covered. The Medicare Telephone Hotline (800-MEDICARE/800- 633-4227) acts as a referral service and can provide publications on Medicare. Call 800-447-8477 to report suspected Medicare abuse or fraud. Medicare Assignment When a Part B claim is submitted to the Medicare carrier, there will be a determination made regarding the “approved amount” for whatever procedures were done. If the doctor agrees to accept that amount as payment in full for services rendered, that is known as accepting “Medicare Assignment.” If the Part B deductible ($131 in 2007) has been met for the year, the Medicare Carrier will send a payment for 80% of the approved amount to your physician. The patient is then responsible for the remaining 20% (plus any part of the annual deductible not yet paid). Without an “assignment” agreement, the patient and/or his supplemental insurance carrier is responsible for the 20% plus excess charges up to 115% of the Medicare fee schedule. Many doctors do not accept assignment. Some doctors and suppliers will accept it for some services and not for others. In all cases YOU should request assignment. Filing a Claim Part A & B: The hospital, doctor or other provider must send claims for benefi ts under Part A to the fi scal intermediary or to the Medicare carrier for Part B. You will receive notice of payment to the provider. Be sure you can furnish the hospital or doctor with your Medicare number and information about any other health insurance that you might have. You are responsible for the deductible and co-payments. If you have supplemental insurance it may pay part or all of the remaining deductible and co-payment balance. Appealing a Benefi t Decision You have the right to appeal a Medicare claim denial. Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Doctor and Outpatient) have different appeals processes. Your Medicare Summary Notice will tell you your appeal rights.
Page 1 and 2: SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY Senior Infor
Page 3 and 4: Acknowledgments THE CENTRAL COAST C
Page 5 and 6: General Information and Support Inf
Page 7 and 8: General Information and Support Loc
Page 9 and 10: Emergency Services 24-Hour Crisis I
Page 11 and 12: Emergency Services Assembly of God
Page 13 and 14: Civic/Community/Consumer 1411 Marsh
Page 15 and 16: Civic/Community/Consumer Provides r
Page 17 and 18: Day Care and Respite Care for Frail
Page 19 and 20: Death-Related Services When faced w
Page 21 and 22: Death-Related Services Directory Ce
Page 23 and 24: Disaster Preparedness · Will you b
Page 25 and 26: Education Directory Adult Public Hi
Page 27 and 28: Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Pre
Page 29 and 30: Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Pre
Page 31 and 32: Employment Employment Discriminatio
Page 33 and 34: Equipment and Special Need Services
Page 35 and 36: Equipment and Special Need Services
Page 37 and 38: Financial Matters Social Security A
Page 39: Financial Matters 15. Does the clie
Page 43 and 44: Financial Matters In all cases of M
Page 45 and 46: Financial Matters Qualifi ed Medica
Page 47 and 48: Financial Matters Directory The lea
Page 49 and 50: Food and Nutrition Directory Grocer
Page 51 and 52: Food and Nutrition Loaves and Fishe
Page 53 and 54: Health Services advocacy for facili
Page 55 and 56: Health Services 604-2926 Fax 604-29
Page 57 and 58: Health Services IV. Special Program
Page 59 and 60: Housing Options and Levels of Care
Page 65 and 66: In-Home Care Solutions 4. Are super
Page 67 and 68: In-Home Care Solutions Central Coas
Page 69 and 70: In-Home Care Solutions for eligible
Page 71 and 72: Legal Affairs Discussion of Some Le
Page 73 and 74: Legal Affairs point someone you tru
Page 75 and 76: Legal Affairs Directory AARP Legal
Page 77 and 78: Mental Health/Counseling/Support Gr
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Page 81 and 82: Mental Health/Counseling/Support/Gr
Page 83 and 84: Recreation & Volunteer Opportunitie
Page 85 and 86: Senior Centers Senior Centers serve
Page 87 and 88: Transportation Avila Beach Trolley
Page 89 and 90: Transportation Greyhound Reservatio
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Index Cemeteries and Funerals 21 Ce
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Index Lumeta 16 Lymphedema Therapy
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Television Caption Decoding 34 Temp
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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY Senior Information Guide

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