3 minute read
Outreach
by Shaw Media
AARP Tax-Aide will once again be preparing taxes at the Whiteside County Senior Center, at 1207 W. Ninth St in Sterling. Tax preparation will begin the week of February 7.
AARP is not allowing in-person tax preparation again this year, so the process will be the same as last year. Taxpayers will have an appointment in the morning where their information will be gathered and then they will be required to return in the afternoon to pick up their completed tax return. An appointment is necessary and AARP is limiting the number of people in the room at one time.
Call 815-622-9230 to schedule and an appointment at the Senior Center. All of the Tax-Aide volunteers are looking forward to helping you. We’d like to say goodbye to a long-time Transportation and Senior Center supporter, Willy Leon Gibson, who passed away on December 6th, 2021. He rode our Senior Transportation every day until the pandemic started. We will miss you and your good friend, Eddie Granberry. (Read more about Willie in the LCCOA Director’s column on page 2).
Outreach at LCCOA looking to hire
LCCOA is on the hunt for qualified and enthusiastic individuals who would be interested in finding their new career or post-retirement job! This position is a part time, 20 hours a week, with possibility to move into full time in the future. We are more than a team, we are a family here, and ready to welcome a new member to join this family. We are looking for someone who is detail oriented, cares for the agency, and the well-being of our clients. A person who can handle a high-stress environment with constantly moving parts. We are small but mighty agency.
We are looking for an individual who has the willingness to be trained as an Elder Benefit Specialist, assisting our seniors and disabled population with all our programs that we offer in our Outreach Department, including but not limited to: Benefit Access Applications (license plate discounts), Tax Assessment Freeze, Medicaid and Medicare Savings applications, ITAC, and more. Someone who is already certified, or willing to be trained, and certified by the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) in order to provide Medicare counseling and service.
If you or anyone you know may be interested in making a difference in the lives of others, learning how to case manage, helping others find financial assistance, stability and strength within themselves, and to discover your own growth and a passion to help others, then a new career awaits you at LCCOA — and a vastly rewarding experience.
Interested individuals should contact Samantha at LCCOAOUTREACH1@COMCAST.NET or by calling 815-288-9236. You may also pick up an application at our facility at 100 W. Second St., Dixon. Our facility is locked to the outside public, so you must ring the bell and someone will come to the door. All applicants are required to be vaccinated, as we work with a vulnerable population. All staff at LCCOA and therein are fully vaccinated. LCCOA is a nonprofit agency. Part-time staff, at 29 hours or less, do not receive any benefits. We do not offer health or retirement benefits at any level. This position takes a minimum of 6 months to a year to learn all of its parts. Serious applicants only.
WCSC Outreach Dept. can assist you with Homestead Exemption and Tax Freeze
Our Outreach Department is here to link older adults and persons with disabilities to programs to help maintain their independence in the community. We advocate for and educate our clients on benefits and services available to them.
We are able to assist you with Homestead Exemptions and Tax Freezes this year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays.
You will need your completed 2021 tax return (front page), your pre-printed form from the Assessor’s office and a Schedule 1 form.
LCCOA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION | 2022 (JAN. 1-DEC. 31) PLEASE PRINT and return to: Lee County Council on Aging, 100 W. Second St., Dixon IL 61021
DATE ____________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP COSTS – CHECK ONE
$20 – Individual $35 – Two individuals in the same household $50 to $199 – Partner $200 to $499 – Sponsor $500 or more – Benefactor We cannot THANK YOU enough for your dedication and support to the Lee County Council on Aging. We look forward to serving you for years to come.
