Q: I am a low-income senior and have heard friends talk about assistance they are receiving from various programs. Do you know where I could obtain information about some of these programs?
A: You have asked a question that might be of interest to many low-income seniors, so mark your calendar for Feb. 22.
Senior Concerns will offer two special events that day: an individual economic checkup program and a financial seminar. Both will be at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks, and provide a lot of information about finances.
In partnership with the National Council on Aging, Senior Concerns is scheduling one-on-one appointments with senior advocates to review where your money goes every month and provide you with resources that could help with some of these expenses. Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and can be made by calling 495-6250.
If you are 55 or older and your annual income is less than $29,425 for singles or $39,829 for couples, this program is for you.
In the second event of the day, a presentation from Senior Concerns and Bank of America from 3:30-4:30 p.m. can help you understand the ins and outs of various financial cards (and there are many). Discover how each works and learn about tips, tricks, fees, protections and scams.
Reservations can be made by calling the Goebel Center at 381-2744.
Don’t miss this double opportunity to learn where your money goes and possible benefits you are not getting, along with the ins and outs of credit, prepaid and gift cards.
Q: I have my income taxes done each year at the Goebel Center. I have two questions: Will that service be offered again this year, and who is eligible for this service?
A: Tax preparation services will be offered again this year at two locations from Feb. 1 through April 14.
Services will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays at the Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road.
Services in Thousand Oaks will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays in the Conejo Creek South Community Room, 1350 E. Janss Road, across the street from the Goebel Center.
All services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations will be taken. These free services are available to seniors 60 or older at any income level and for people of any age with an income of $50,000 or less.
As in past years, taxpayers whose returns include Schedule E (rental income) are not eligible. Also, those with Schedule C (profit and loss from a business) will only be eligible if profit and expenses are under $10,000.
Taxpayers should be prepared to present a Social Security card and a photo ID. They should bring a Social Security benefits statement (SSA 1099), wage and earning statements (W2s and 1099s), a property tax bill, interest and dividend statements (1099 INT, 1099 DIV, 1099 B), and the cost of stocks and bonds sold (with the dates bought and sold). They also should bring a copy of 2014 federal and state tax returns, bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit, and any other relevant information about income and expenses.
HAPPENINGS
Thursday — 10 a.m. to noon, “Senior Transportation — Drive or NOT, Van and Bus” in the Camarillo City Council chambers, 601 Carmen Drive. Call Camarillo City Hall at 388-5397 or the Pleasant Valley Senior Center at 483-4881 for more information.
Saturday — 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Caregiver Recognition Day, “Caregivers Matter, Conejo Cares.” If you are a family caregiver for an aging loved one or know someone who is, you are invited to join Senior Concerns at Los Robles Greens, 299 Moorpark S. Road, Thousand Oaks. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 497-0189.
Sunday — 2 p.m., History Comes Alive presentation, “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood,” at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $5 and available at the Goebel Center.
Feb. 3 — 1 p.m., “Dogs and Cats and Birds — Oh, My Pets in our Lives.” Tara Diller, director of Ventura County Animal Services, will talk about animal services at the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging meeting in the Civic Arts Plaza boardroom, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
