Davenport, IA –A new year brings new worries for area seniors struggling to pay bills. This is the time of year when increases in insurance rates, deductibles and medication fees take place. Those increases, coupled with tax preparation fees, can make the first few months of the year a very stressful and financially challenging time.
The Center For Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) is here to help area seniors who are in need. CASI’s Senior Advocacy Program provides free community services to older adults who are in need of programs to help them stay at home, safe and independent for as long as possible. One of the free community programs provided by CASI is assistance with filing for the Iowa Rent Reimbursement Claim.
Starting January 18, CASI’s Senior Advocates will be able to assist older adults who are eligible to file for the 2015 Iowa Rent Reimbursement. CASI is one of three Scott County locations recognized by the Iowa Department of Revenue to assist with this claim process.
Those interested in filing this claim must meet the following eligibility requirements:
65 years of age or older by December 31, 2015 or
You (or your spouse) were age 18 to 64 as of December 31, 2015, and totally disabled. Totally disabled means you are unable to get a job paying more than $1,070 per month due to physical or mental disability which has lasted, or is expected to last for at least one year. Proof of disability must be included with your claim.
Lived in Iowa all or part of 2015, and live in Iowa now, and
Your household benefits and income are less than $22,360, and
The rental unit you lived in is subject to property tax.
Married couples living together are considered one household and can file only one claim, combining both incomes. If they do not live together, they may file separate claims. Other persons living together who qualify for a reimbursement may each file a claim based on their income and share of rent paid.
CASI’s Senior Advocates will be conducting Rent Reimbursement Assistance Days at the following senior living complexes. CASI’s Senior Advocates are also available to meet with older adults who live outside of these complexes. Rent reimbursement forms can be picked up at CASI starting January 18. CASI is located at 1035 West Kimberly Rd., Davenport, IA., 52806. Forms will be available Monday through Friday, from 8am – 5pm.
Senior who would like assistance filing these forms are encouraged to schedule individual appointments by calling CASI, at 563-386-7477. Proof of residency, income, disability (if applicable) and monthly rent amount along with landlord contact information are required at the time of appointment. Electronic copies of the 2015 form can be located on the Iowa Department of Revenue’s website starting January 15. Their website address is www.tax.iowa.gov. Iowa residents under the age of 50 looking for help
may also contact Family Resources and Community Action for assistance.
FREE TAX PREPERATION
In addition to rent reimbursement claim assistance, CASI is teaming up with the United Way of the Quad Cities and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to provide free 2015 tax preparation services for older adults who qualify.
This service, provided by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project, will prepare your taxes for free for senior households earning $57,000 or less per year. According to the United Way, the VITA project provides an annual savings to Quad City area residents of $1,000,000 in fees, with an average return of $1,600 per household. A total of $6.39 million was returned to people of the Quad Cities last year.VITA volunteers are IRS-certified and will be located at 14 different sites around the QCA starting February 1. CASI is the only AARP Tax-Aide site in Scott County.
To schedule a free tax preparation appointment, call the United Way at 2-1-1 or 563.355.9900. The appointment hotline opens January 12, 2016. For more information about the Iowa Rent Reimbursement Claim or the free tax preparation provided through the VITA program, visit the CASI website, www.CASIseniors.org.
