Social Security Representative Payees

Seniors needing assistance managing social security payments may appoint a friend, family member, or other third-party to be responsible for the funds.

Learn more about the Representative Payee program

• from Social Security’s website.

Find a third-part Representative Payee

• (DC) – Family Matters provides volunteer representative payees through a program of AARP.  For more information, phone 202-289-1510.
• (MD) – Learn about the state of Maryland’s volunteer representative payee program.
• (VA) – Learn about the city of Alexandria’s Daily Money Management program.
• (national) – Find other volunteer representative payee programs in other states.

Resources for Tax Time 2011

Find subsidized tax preparation assistance.

• (nationwide) – AARP provides subsidized tax preparation assistance to low and moderate income seniors.
• (nationwide) – the IRS offers subsidized tax preparation assistance to low and moderate income tax payers through its VITA program.

Find private pay tax preparation assistance

• Find a certified public accountant through the American Institute of CPA’s.

Find tax forms

• Federal tax forms
• DC tax forms
• MD tax forms
• VA tax forms
• Other states

Learn about tax deductions and credits

• AARP article entitled, “The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions.”
• IRS web page on the Earned Income Tax Credit for certain low and moderate income individuals younger than age 65.
• Alzheimer’s Association web article on Alzheimer’s related tax deductions.
• Learn about state home-owner and renters’ tax credits elsewhere on this blog.

Consumer guides for assessing the financial solvency of Continuing Care Retirement Facilities

• 20 page brochure (by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) entitled, “Consumer Guide to Understanding Financial Performance and Reporting in Continuing Care Retirement Facilities.
• Checklist (from the National Senior Citizens Law Center) for evaluating a CCRC’s financial solvency.

Viactical and Life Settlements

These tools allow people to sell their life insurance policies for cash.  Learn about Life Settlements from these resources from these documents by AARP, Elderlaw Answers, and the State of Maryland (1, 2).  The Maryland Insurance Administration also keeps a list of registered viactical settlement providers.

AARP Debt Consolidation & Credit Card Payoff Calculators

1. AARP Debt Consolidation Calculator
2. AARP Credit Card Payoff Calculator

Debt counseling, management, & consolidation

Resources from the Federal Trade Commission

1. General information fact sheet on credit/debt counseling, debt management plans, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy
2. Guidance on choosing a credit/debt counselor and a debt management plan.
3. Fact sheet on fair and unfair practices by debt collectors.
4. Find other debt-related guidance from the FTC at their website.

SSI/SSDI Compassionate Allowance for Early Alzheimer’s

In February 2010, the Social Security Administration added early-onset Alzheimer’s and 37 other medical conditions to its list of compassionate allowances.

• Alzheimer’s Association’s FAQ sheet explains SSDI, SSI, and how compassionate allowances can help a patient qualify for these public benefits, and potentially for Medicare or Medicaid.
• Alzheimer’s Association’s checklist and instructions on how to apply for SSDI or SSI under the compassionate allowance initiative.
• The Social Security Administration’s press release announcing the expansion of the compassionate allowance list; and includes the names of all 38 diseases added to the list.

Public Benefits Online Screening Tools

1. The National Council on Aging’s online tool allows users to screen for and apply for federal and state public benefits.
2. This federal website generates a list of all public benefits for which a user may be eligible.

DC Metro Senior Tax Credits & Deductions

• (DC) – Learn about DC’s Homestead Tax Deduction.
• (MD) – Learn about Maryland Tax credits.
• (VA) – Learn about Fairfax County’s real-estate and auto tax breaks for seniors.

Iona Information & Referral specialists are available Monday through Friday (9am to 5pm) at 202-895-9448 or info@Iona.org to help identify aging-related resources for you and your loved ones.

Tax Preparation Assistance – Subsidized

Several agencies provide subsidized tax preparation assistance for low- and moderate-income seniors and adults.

• (DC, MD, VA, other US states) – Free tax preparation assistance for low- and moderate-income seniors (age 60+) via AARP.
• (DC, MD, VA, other US states) – Free tax preparation assistance for low- and moderate-income adults via the IRS.
• (VA) – Free tax preparation assistance for low-income Fairfax residents.

Iona Information & Referral specialists are available Monday through Friday (9am to 5pm) at 202-895-9448 or info@Iona.org to help identify aging-related resources for you and your loved ones.