Agency helps nursing home residents file for stimulus checks
By MATTHEW WHITEArticle Photos
The local Area Agency on Aging visited Salem-area nursing homes Wednesday to help some of the 1,797 county residents who still haven't filed for their economic stimulus checks.
The Agency's Long-term Care Ombudsman staff visited the three Essex of Salem homes and the Blossom Nursing Rehabilitation Center, where more than 60 residents have yet to file their 1040A forms to receive their checks. The residents will be eligible for $300 that will go straight to them and not to pay for their care.
The deadline for filing tax forms to receive the check is Oct.15
Kathy Janecko, from the Area Agency on Aging, said the idea for the effort began when her boss's daughter didn't receive her stimulus check. She said her boss was checking into the situation when the idea of nursing homes came to him and that he called several nursing homes to ask about how the residents could be helped.
"It's so important. Residents only receive $40 a month from Medicare for their personal needs account," she said. "This is extra money that goes straight to them so they can get the things they want. The smile on their face when they get the check will be well worth it."
Ariane Redd, a senior tax consultant with the internal revenue service, was on hand to work with the Agency.
Redd, who is based out of Cleveland, said she had been working locally for several months and that her role involved securing signatures for the forms and collecting them to return to her office.
"I was very happy the Area Agency on Aging came. We were able to help some residents but not all of them," said Darlene Hutton, an administrator at Essex.
She said several new residents arrived after the nursing home had helped its residents fill out their tax forms.
Hutton said one of the most common things residents face is apprehension about who will receive the money if they file for the check.
"People don't understand they can get money and use it for whatever they want," she said.
Confirming Hutton's statement was a resident of Essex, Martha Brown, who said she was leery but hoped she did the right thing.
Hutton emphatically said the thing she would be most excited to shop for is a new pair of shoes - or several cheap pairs.
Hutton said her nursing home commonly works with the Agency.
"The Ombudsmen are the go-between for residents and the facility to help resolve any problems," she said. "It's a good program."
Redd said individuals who want to know more information about the process may visit www.irs.gov or may call 1-800-829-1040 for the IRS customer service line. Individuals who have already filed may call 1-866-234-2942 to check on the status of their stimulus check.
Matthew White may be contacted at mwhitesalemnews.net
