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Farmers Market Vouchers Available

2018 Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 2018 Eligibility & Proxy Form

Lackawanna County senior citizens will once again be able to participate in the very popular local farmers market voucher program that has been a staple in our community for a number of years.

The Lackawanna County Commissioners Patrick M. O’Malley, Jerry Notarianni and Laureen A. Cummings announced that the County’s Area Agency on Aging, in cooperation with the State Department of Agriculture, will be distributing Farmers Market Nutritional Program vouchers at either senior community centers or public facilities, beginning Friday, June 15.

Under the program, each eligible senior can receive up to four $5 vouchers that can be redeemed at participating farmers markets and farm stands for fresh fruit and produce.  The program is a win-win for both consumers and farmers.  It gives senior citizens access to locally grown produce and directs shoppers to area farmers that they generally may not see on a regular basis.

The County has over 20,000 vouchers available for distribution.

Those who qualify are Lackawanna County residents who will be 60 or older by December 31, 2018 and whose annual income does not exceed $22,459 for a single person, $30,451 for a couple or $38,443 for a three person household.  Proof of age in the form of a driver’s license or birth certificate must be provided along with proof of Lackawanna County residency in the form of a utility bill or a driver’s license.

Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis from 9 AM – 1 PM at the centers, unless otherwise indicated.  Seniors who are unable to visit a site may appoint a proxy to pick-up a voucher for them.  Proxy forms can be obtained at the Area Agency on Aging, local senior centers or online at www.lackawannacounty.org.

Distribution dates and sites include:

Friday, June 15: PA Anthracite Heritage Museum, 22 Bald Mountain Road, Scranton, 9 AM – 11 AM

Tuesday, June 19:  Taylor Community Center, 700 S. Main Street, Taylor

Wednesday, June 20: North Pocono Senior Center, 12 John Michaels Drive, Covington Township

Thursday, June 21:  Abington Senior Center, 1151 Winola Road, Clarks Summit

Monday, June 25:  Jewish Community Center, 601 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton

Wednesday, June 27:  Dunmore Senior Center, 1414 Monroe Avenue, Dunmore

Tuesday, July 10:  Carbondale Senior Center, 66 North Church Street, Carbondale

Wednesday, July 11:  West Scranton Senior Center, 1004 Jackson Street, Scranton

Thursday, July 12:  The Marketplace At Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, (2 PM – 7 PM)

Saturday, July 14: South Scranton Farmers Market, 300 Block of Alder Street, Scranton (10 AM – 1 PM)

Monday, July 16:  Mid Valley Senior Center, 310 Church Street, Jessup

Wednesday, July 18: South Scranton Senior Center, 425 Alder Street, Scranton

Friday, July 20:  Throop Civic Center 500 Sanderson Avenue, Throop

Any questions on the program should be directed to the Area Agency on Aging at

(570) 963-6740.

June 11th, 2018 | Category: Area Agency on Aging, Community Affairs, Featured Post |

Medicare “Lunch and Learn”

We know you value your employees and want the best for them and we would like to partner with you to enhance that mission.  The APPRISE Program is engaging an outreach effort to locate soon-to-be retirees and educate them on Medicare and various benefits available, therefore, we are specifically asking you to consider having a Medicare “Lunch and Learn”.

We will do all the work!  The only thing we need from you is space within the company (Conference Room /Board Room) to hold the session.  Please contact Voluntary Action Center APPRISE Program at 570-347-5616 Ext 211

January 31st, 2018 | Category: Area Agency on Aging, Featured Post |

Elderly Tax Extension Program Begins March 1

A tax defer payment program to provide assistance for the elderly of Lackawanna County will kick-off on March 1 for individuals who meet the income guidelines of the initiative.

The County’s Tax Claim Bureau’s “Extension For Elderly/Deferral of Taxes” will offer eligible persons 65 years of age or older an opportunity to extend or defer the period of time to pay their taxes.  The overall goal of this program is to prevent them for losing their residences and/or the equity in their homes as a result of unpaid real estate taxes.

The program was enacted by the Commissioners on September 21, 2016.  It is being administered by the County’s Area Agency on Aging and the Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency (SLHDA).

To be eligible, an applicant’s household income must be equal to or less than the maximum household income necessary to qualify for a property tax or rent rebate under the Senior Citizens Rebate Act.

To determine eligibility, the Tax Bureau and Area Agency on Aging will review tax return documents, homeowner’s insurance data and income information.  If the applicant meets the requirements of the program, an additional three-month tax payment extension would be granted.

After this point, if the owner desires to continue to live in the residence and cannot afford to pay the taxes the Tax Claim Bureau may stay the tax sale and defer payment until such time as title to the property is transferred or the owner is no longer the sole occupant of the property.

Once the title to the property is transferred and the eligible owner is no longer the sole occupant, the taxes and simple interest shall be due.

For general tax information, call the Tax Claim Bureau at 570-963-6734.

For applications, guideline reviews and assistance, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 570-963-6740 or SLHDA at 570-963-6836.

 

February 21st, 2017 | Category: Area Agency on Aging, Community Affairs, Featured Post, Tax Claims / Hotel Tax |

Lackawanna County Area Agency On Aging Announces Assistance With Rebate Forms

The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging is providing assistance for qualifying senior citizens residing in Lackawanna County with their 2016 State Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms.

To qualify for the rebate, Pennsylvanians must be age: 65 and older; widow and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.  The income limit for a Homeowner is $35,000 and $15,000 for Renters.  Rebates range from $250-$650.  The Department of Revenue will begin mailing and depositing rebates on July 1.  The deadline for filing the form(s) is June 30.

Howard McIntosh, Senior Outreach Worker for Telespond Senior Services who provides assistance to the Aging Department, will be visiting Senior Centers, high rises and low rises throughout Lackawanna County to help complete the forms.

He will be visiting the Senior Centers from 9 AM – 11 AM on the following days and locations:

  • South Side Center, 425 Alder Street, Scranton, on the first Wednesday of every month
  • West Side Center, 1004 Jackson Street, Scranton, on the first Thursday of every month
  • Dunmore Center, 1414 Monroe Avenue, Dunmore, on the second Friday of every month
  • Carbondale Center, 66 N Church Street, Carbondale, on the third Thursday of every month
  • Abington Center, 1151 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, on the third Friday of every month
  • Mid-Valley Center, 310 Church Street, Jessup, on the fourth Wednesday of every month

Howard can also assist with completing Pennsylvania 600 applications and a variety of other tax-related forms, as needed.

Mr. McIntosh can also be reached to schedule visits to the home-bound by calling 570-290-0578 or 570-961-1950.

 

February 6th, 2017 | Category: Area Agency on Aging, Community Affairs, Featured Post |
 
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