November 2007 Vol. 26. No. 11

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Creativity in the Garden
Medicare’s annual enrollment period
Not quite a scam
Public safety
Alzheimer’s Month
Veterans Day

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Not quite a scam
You don’t have to pay to get help for this rebate
by Danna Bates

Earlier this year I wrote an article to inform everyone of a wonderful program, the Homeowner/Renters Assistance, that offers once-a-year tax rebates. Most senior centers have trained volunteers who can assist you free of charge.

The problem is that suddenly seniors in Humboldt County are receiving an offer in the mail from a company called the Senior Advisory Center. This company is not affiliated with the state and is a for-profit company. They are sending out hundreds of bulk mailings trying to get customers, offering to assist you in filing for this rebate for a fee of $36.

I have a problem with this offer. Why should you spend $36 for something you can get for free? I feel the free programs are better because the volunteers have all been trained by Kathy Bryan from the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento. Kathy comes up at least once a year to train the volunteers and visit all the sites.

The mailing is confusing some people because they have already filed and received a refund and think this is another program. There is only one program offered by the California Franchise Tax Board, and you may only file once. Please be advised that if you have already filed and are waiting for a refund, according to Kathy, it can take up to 15 weeks to get your refund check.

The second issue I have with this is that I do not like the idea of giving information on the phone or sending all your information in the mail. Mail can fall into the wrong hands.

The biggest problem I have with companies like these is that the people who are eligible for these rebates are low-income seniors who need every penny they can get. I know that these businesses are legal, but I personally have a problem with making money off seniors who are struggling.

The Homeowner and Renters Assistance Program is a payment up to $462.50 for homeowners and up to $347.50 for renters. This once-a-year payment from the State of California for qualified individuals is based in part on income and in part on the property taxes paid.

To be eligible to file a claim, you must be a United States citizen or qualified alien when you file, and you must meet the following criteria on Dec. 31, 2006:

• You were 62 years of age or older, blind or disabled.

• You live in your own home that was taxed as property. If your tax is included in your space rent, you will be considered a renter, not a homeowner.

• Or you rented a qualified residence in California that was subject to property tax and paid $50 or more per month in rent. This must be your principal place of residence; it can also be a hotel, mobile home, boarding house, duplex, flat or floating home.

• Your total household income was $42,770 or less.

If you met the above criteria, there are two ways you can file. You may pick up the book and form from your local senior center and complete it yourself, or you can ask if the center has trained volunteers who can fill out the form for you.

For those who want to file on your own, get the book and forms and have copies of the following information if you’re a renter: proof of age, proof of income, proof of disability if younger than 62; your landlord’s name, phone and address.

If you are a homeowner, you will need the book, the forms and copies of proof of income, proof of disability if younger than 62, and your tax bill from Dec. 2006-2007.

Danna Bates is director of the McKinleyville Senior Center. When many of her participants began bringing this mailing in to show her, she called Kathy Bryan from the Franchise Tax Board in Sacramento to find the answers. Danna’s e-mail is dbates@humboldt1.com.