Tax scams that use e-mail and phone calls that appear to come from the IRS are common these days.  These scams often use the IRS name and logo or fake websites that look real.

Scammers often send an e-mail or call to lure victims to give up their personal and financial information.  The crooks then use this information to commit identity theft or steal your money.  Some call their victims to demand payment on a pre-paid debit card or by wire transfer.  But the IRS will not initiate contact with you to ask for this information by phone or e-mail.

If you get this type of ‘phishing’ e-mail, the IRS offers this advice:

• Do not reply to the message.
• Do not open any attachments or click on any links. They may have malicious code that will infect your computer.
• Do not give out your personal or financial information.
• Forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.  Then delete it.

If you get an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS:

• Ask for a call back number and an employee badge number.
• If you think you may owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040.  IRS employees can help you.
• If you Do not owe taxes or have no reason to think that you do, call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484 to report the incident.
• You should also report it to the Federal Trade Commission by using their “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov.  Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint.

Be alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure.  The IRS will not initiate contact with you through social media or text to ask for your personal or financial information.

More information on how to report phishing or phone scams is available on IRS.gov.

IRS Tax Tip 2014-1

If you meet the income guidelines below, contact the Geauga Department on Aging at 279-2130 for assistance to apply!

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QNB):

Pays for Part A and B deductibles, coinsurance/copays and premiums.

Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMG):

Pays for monthly Part B premiums.

Qualified Individual (QI):

Pays for monthly Part B premium (limited benefits)

Qualified Disables and Working Individuals (QDWI):

Pays for Part A premium if you are under 65, disabled and no longer entitled to free Part A because you work.  Contact Department on Aging worker for more information.

 
Contact a Geauga Department on Aging Social Worker for assistance with your Application!

Get “Extra Help” With Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Costs!

Extra Help is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescriptions drug costs.  You may qualify if your monthly income and total resources are below these limits:  Single: $1,719/monthly and resources below $15,510; or Married: $2,309/monthly and resources below $30,950.

Contact a Geauga Department on Aging Social Worker for assistance with your Application!

In home assistance is available for completing HEAP applications.

Eligibility - A household whose total income is at or below 175 percent of the 2020-2021 federal poverty level. See the chart below for income guidelines, as you may qualify for HEAP assistance.

You May Be Eligible

Contact
Geauga County Department on Aging
470 Center St., Bldg. 2
Chardon, Ohio 44024
(440) 279-2130

For more information, call toll free 1-800-282-0880. Hearing impaired applicants with a telecommunications device for the dear (TDD) can call toll free 1-800-686-1577.

Applicants requirements at the time of application - a list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days and 12 months for each member, income documents, main and electric heating bills (if the applicant has gas and electric) regardless of account status, proof of citizenship, proof of disability if applicable, and social security numbers for all household members. This program is made possible through a grant from the Ohio Department on Aging, through the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging.

The Summer Crisis Program is available July 1 – August 31. The Winter Crisis Program is available November 1 – March 31. The 2020 HEAP Summer Crisis Program deadline has been extended this year until September 30th.

Are you a senior citizen who lives in Geauga County?  Do you have a doctor’s appointment that is outside of Geauga County and are looking for safe reliable transportation to get you to and from your medical appointment?

The Geauga County Department on Aging’s Escort Program offers transportation for Geauga County Seniors (age 60 and over) to their “out of county” medical appointments.  We are able to transport seniors to the following counties:  Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lake, Portage or Trumbull Counties for medical appointments.  The program runs Monday through Friday and has wheelchair accessible vehicles, if needed.

For more information on this program or other programs available for Geauga County Seniors, please call the Department on Aging at (440) 279-2130. Newbury and Burton residents call 1-888-714-0006 extension 2130.