Newswise — The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) is helping to spread the word to seniors and their families about the need to file tax returns in order to receive the payments from the president's economic stimulus program. The Internal Revenue Service will be sending out the checks to approximately 130 million taxpayers beginning in May.
In order to obtain a check, a person MUST file a 2007 tax return. Social Security beneficiaries, Railroad Retirement beneficiaries and some Veterans Administration beneficiaries who received at least $3,000 in benefit payments in 2007 can receive a $300 payment. Many of these people would not routinely file tax returns because their income does not meet the threshold for owing federal taxes and no federal taxes were withheld from their Income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not considered to be qualifying income for the stimulus payment.
Nursing home residents who are on Medicaid can receive the stimulus checks and there should be no impact of the payments on the Medicaid funding. The stimulus payments are not taxable and they will not reduce a person's 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount a person may owe when he or she files their 2008 return.
The economic stimulus checks will be distributed according to the last two digits of the primary filer's Social Security number. If the returns have been received and processed by April 15, people who requested direct deposit should get their payments between May 2 and May 16. Paper checks will be sent out beginning May 16. A schedule of payment dates is available at http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html.
For returns that are received after April 15, it is anticipated that people will receive their economic stimulus checks about two weeks later than shown on the schedule. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year.
For an estimate of the amount of payment you will receive, please visit the Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator at http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/.
Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCMs) are professionals who help to oversee elder care. PGCMs often provide advice or referrals regarding finances and tax matters for seniors and people with disabilties.
About the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM)NAPGCM was formed in 1984 to advance dignified care for older adults and their families in the United States. The association currently boasts a membership of over 2,100 care managers. Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCMs) are professionals who have extensive training and experience working with older people, people with disabilities and families who need assistance with care giving issues. They assist families in the search for a suitable nursing home placement or extended care if the need occurs. The practice of geriatric care management and the role of care providers have captured a national spotlight, as generations of Baby Boomers age in the United States and abroad. For more information please visit http://www.caremanager.org or call 520.881.8008.
Individuals may obtain the free brochure "Questions and Answers When Looking for a Geriatric Care Manager," on the NAPGCM web site at: http://www.caremanager.org and then click on "Learn More About Geriatric Care Management," and "Find a Care Manager." Individuals looking for a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in their local area may visit www.caremanager.org and may use the searchable directory that is located in the "Find a Care Manager" section.
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