Community Care staff can provide support to low-income seniors age 60 and over who meet the eligibility criteria for the Ontario Energy Support Program (OESP). The program was launched in late 2015 to provide help for people who struggle to pay their hydro bills. An eligible household ($39,000 or less for one or two people) can receive between $40-68 monthly credit on their hydro bill.
Contact the staff at our office to get answers to questions and for help to submit the OESP application. More information can be found at www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca
Community Care is also gearing up for another season of completing income tax returns for seniors who live in Prince Edward County. If you are a senior 60-plus whose single income is $30,000 or lower or whose household income is $40,000 or lower, you may be eligible for the program.
Community Care volunteers register both with our agency and with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). CRA provides training for these volunteers so that they know how to complete Income Tax Returns for eligible clients. We can also complete returns for past years that you haven’t submitted and you must meet the eligibility criteria in the year for which the return is being submitted.
Volunteers do not complete income tax and benefit returns for: deceased persons, bankrupt individuals; for those with more than $1,000 of investment income; for individuals with capital gains/losses; or for people with business or rental income and expenses.
There is no charge and donations are accepted. Home visits can be arranged for seniors who are shut-in.
Income tax papers will be accepted by Community Care beginning on Thursday, March 1, 2018 and not before.
Low income singles and families can contact the Prince Edward Learning Centre at 613-476-1811 for assistance with both the OESP and income tax preparation.
The Community Care office is located at 74A King Street in Picton. Call 613-476-7493 for information or to make an appointment with a co-ordinator.
Stay active
New sessions for Tai Chi and Fitness for Seniors will start this month To register call Community Care at 613-476-7493. Space is limited and you need to register before the first class so don’t delay, call as soon as possible.
Seniors Luncheon Social
Come on out and enjoy lunch at the Seniors Luncheon Social on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at noon. The menu features homemade soup, bangers and mashed, vegetables, coleslaw, cherry cheesecake, bread and butter, coffee & tea, all catered by Bill Grieve, the chef with Wheel House and Occasions Catering. The cost is $10 per person. Reserve your place by the Tuesday prior at 12 noon by calling 613-476-7493.
More services for seniors
The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association offers services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation to medical appointments, noon-time dinners for seniors, foot care, help with forms (including income tax), respite, home maintenance, rural route reassurance, social/recreational and telephone reassurance programs.
The agency is partly funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Local Health Integration Network and supported by donations and community fundraising efforts, such as Community Care’s Thrift Shop at 153 Main Street.
-Debbie MacDonald Moynes