Senior citizens have just five days to file for federal economic stimulus check!

State Public Advocate, NJ Health Commissioner, and NJ Human Services Deputy Commissioner  join Trenton Mayor Palmer and local clergy to urge senior citizens to file

  
Public Advocate Ronald Chen urges seniors to file for the economic stimulus check.

TRENTON --   Mayor Douglas H. Palmer,  New Jersey Public Advocate  Ronald K.  Chen, Department of Health and Senior Services  Commissioner Heather Howard and NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner Jim Smith spoke to a large group of Trenton senior citizens today to emphasize the importance of seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities to apply for economic stimulus payments by Oct. 15.

QUICK LINKS:

Guidance for nursing facilities from Public Advocate
http://www.state.nj.us/publicadvocate/seniors/elder/stimuluslettertofacilities.pdf

Form 1040A can be found here
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040a.pdf

Directions on how to complete the 1040A form
http://www.irs.gov/pub/newsroom/1040a.pdf

WHERE TO FILE/ SEND COMPLETED 1040A FORM
If the individual is New Jersey resident, send the completed 1040A form to:

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Kansas City, MO 64999-0015

Please visit http://www.irs.gov/file/article/0,,id=100838,00.html for more information.

WHERE TO GO FOR ASSISTANCE

Tax forms are available at the following IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. For more information, please visit http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=98315,00.html.
 

Speaking before a crowd at the Reading Senior Center in Trenton, Chen told the group: "The money is on the table and time is running out to grab it."

Statewide, about 120,000 people have not filed for their economic stimulus checks.  In Trenton, an estimated 6,300 seniors, veterans or disabled citizens have yet to file for economic stimulus payments that total more than $2 million – and they have only until October 15th to apply.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, people who receive at least $3,000 in earnings and/or benefits from the Social Security Administration, Veterans Disability, or retired Railroad Workers pension are eligible.  They do not normally file for taxes, but are at risk of missing out on their $300 payment – or $600 for married couples. 

“Sixty percent of those that have not claimed their stimulus check in this state are people age 65 and older. Many are on a fixed income, and if they don’t file, it will be a  missed opportunity to get the money they deserve,” Chen said.

 "Most taxpayers received -- and spent -- their economic stimulus package checks this summer.  But a lot of seniors on low, fixed incomes don't have to file tax returns and therefore didn't get their checks yet," agreed Howard.  "Our message to them today is clear:  In these tough economic times, don't walk away from $300 or $600 that is rightfully yours.  Find, fill out and mail a 1040A tax form to the IRS before the October 15 application deadline."

 “With the cost of food, utilities, health care and other expenses rising, the economic stimulus payments are critical to Trenton’s most vulnerable populations,” said City Health and Human Service Director Carolyn Lewis-Spruill. 

Trenton has reached out to Nursing Homes, Adult Day Care Centers, Senior Citizen Housing Complexes and other senior services to encourage residents to apply for the payments through a program at The South Ward Senior Center.  Further details about how to obtain assistance will be provided tomorrow.

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