Published: July 24, 2008 09:37 pm            

Thousands of seniors yet to file for stimulus checks

BLUEFIELD — Thousands of senior citizens across Mercer and McDowell counties still haven’t applied for their economic stimulus tax rebates, officials said Thursday.

According to the latest update from the IRS, 2,087 eligible senior citizens in Mercer County, and another 1,114 senior citizens in McDowell County, haven’t filed a necessary tax return to receive their $300 economic stimulus tax rebate check. The deadline to file is Oct. 15.

With rising gas, food and utility prices, an extra $300 can make a big difference for many senior citizens and disabled residents on a fixed income, Shawn Allen, the region IV coordinator for the West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Center in Princeton, said.

“Absolutely,” Allen said. “When you are on a fixed income, you are fixed. When everything else goes up, you are still stuck there.”

The agency will help area senior citizens, and those who are disabled, with filling out their necessary tax return for free. Allen said any senior citizen needing help filling out a tax return can call the agency at 425-2040, or toll free at 1-866-598-2372. There is no charge.

Allen said many senior citizens across the region may be misinformed about the economic stimulus rebates.

“They didn’t realize they had until Oct. 15,” Allen said. “I think many thought tax day, April 15, was the deadline. I think a lot of people thought they missed the deadline.”

Allen said many senior citizens who don’t normally file taxes also assumed they would automatically receive the economic stimulus rebates without filing a tax return.

“A lot of people also don’t realize the requirements,” Allen said. “The requirement is you have to get $3,000 in Social Security per year. And that’s it. That’s the only requirement that the government looks at. If you get $3,000 a year or more, you are eligible.”

Allen said the agency is concerned that such a large number of senior citizens across the region have yet to apply.

“I’m trying really hard to get the folks to call us,” Allen said. “If you look at the numbers they are still sort of high. You have a high number in McDowell as well with 1,114.”

Allen said the agency also can come to the home of those senior citizens who are unable to travel in order to help them fill out their tax forms.

“Yes, we will come out and visit folks to help them file, or help them if they are looking for other services,” he said. “We will come out to their homes.”

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.