Outreach

WCSC AND LCCOA OUTREACH Outreach news, updates

Holiday closures

Both LCCOA and WCSC Outreach departments will be closed on Dec. 31st in observance of New Year’s Eve and January 1st in observance of New Year’s Day. To You and Yours: We wish you a Happy and Safe 2021!

Happy New Year from the WCSC and LCCOA!

All of us are ready for a new year, right? The WCSC and LCCOA Outreach Departments “thank you” for your patience and understanding during 2020! This past year has allowed us to be creative to serve you through this pandemic, especially through the Open Enrollment Period. We’ll continue to be available to you this coming year, and we do appreciate that you call us first before coming to our centers so that we can discuss our protocols and how we are handling appointments and social distancing guidelines:

WCSC Outreach can be reached at 815-622-9230 Ext. 194, and LCCOA Outreach at 815-288-9236. Thank you!

Medicare Advantage Plan Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period will begin January 1st and goes until March 31st. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or if you want to disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan and go back to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and pick up a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, then this is the time of year to make changes. Only one change can be made during this period, and changes go into effect on the 1st of the next month following the change. Please note that this enrollment period is not for those who are just in a Medicare Part-D plan, or for those that do not have a Part-D drug plan. This enrollment window is only for those already in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Call WCSC (815-622-9230 Ext. 194) or LCCOA (815-288-9236) Outreach if you need assistance. Or, you can contact 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to compare and enroll.

Still taking 2019 income for Benefits Access Application (License plate discount/Ride Free Transit Card)

Do you need to complete or renew your License Plate Discount/Ride Free Transit Card application? Both WCSC and LCCOA Outreach Departments can help you! In order to file this application, we will accept 2019 yearly income until at least April 15, 2021. Once you are approved for the application, your eligibility is good for two years. To file the application, we need proof of your 2019 yearly income (income taxes, 1099 forms, W-2’s, etc.), driver’s license or state ID, social security card (for yourself and your spouse if you are married), and proof of disability, if applicable. Due to COVID restrictions, please call WCSC at 815-622-9230 Ext.194 or LCCOA at 815-288-9236 in advance to discuss how we can file your application.

Reminder to Keep 2020 Yearly Income Statements

With tax season quickly approaching, you will soon be receiving important income statements from 2020 in the mail. Examples of the forms you may receive are SSA-1099’s (yearly Social Security statement), W-2’s (Wages), 1099-R (yearly Pension, IRA, or Annuity Statements), etc. Regardless of whether or not you file income taxes, these forms are required proof of income for many of the applications we assist with. When you get the forms in the mail, please keep them together in a safe place.

Help wanted! Help needed!

Our current Maintenance Engineer (Marty Hammond, at left) is retiring this month and we are trying to replace him. The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please contact Susan Lawler, Executive Director at the LCCOA, 815-288-9236

Nurses identified

Thanks to James Higby of Dixon, a member of the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society, who informed LCCOA that the 1903 photo, (which ran in the December Golden Echo), was included in a book about KSB Hospital, “A Century of Service.” The nurses are, from left: Mellissa Herrich, Grace Judson, Ada Decker, Mary Schuman and Zoe Osborn. Ada Decker later became the Superintendent at KSB Hospital. Thank you, James.

LCCOA phone numbers Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 100 West Second Street – Dixon, IL, 61021

Main number 815-288-9236

Transportation 815-288-9236

Post House Ballroom 815-288-9236

Outreach services & free phones for hearing impaired

Outreach hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

E-mail us at lccoa@comcast.net Visit us at www.leecountycouncilonaging.net or www.posthouseballroom.net or find us on Facebook

WCSC phone numbers

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling

Transportation – 815-625-7433 • Information – 815-622-9230

ADRC hours:

Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday Walk-ins from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Outreach and free phones for hard of hearing/ low vision 815-622-9230

Toll-free 888-622-9230

Email at info@wc-seniorcenter.org Go to wc-seniorcenter.org or follow us on Facebook. The Emporium Thrift Store 115 E. Third St., Sterling • 815-535-0368