April 2009

 A Publication of The Ohio Area Agency on Aging 8
 AAA8 
Serving Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties
1-800-331-2644  -  www.areaagency8.org  
 
A Program of Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District

Rick HindmanThoughts
from the Director:

Rick Hindman
  
Be Sure Seniors Apply For Ohio's Homestead Exemption
 
Homestead
 
It's time for seniors to apply for Ohio's Homestead Tax Exemption. Ohio's expanded homestead exemption provides additional property tax relief to qualified senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans.
 
Before 2007, most senior citizens and disabled Ohioans were excluded from the Homestead Exemption because of income tests. The expanded exemption offers eligible homeowners, regardless of income, the opportunity to shield up to $25,000 of the market value of their home and up to one acre of land from property taxation.
 
For example, if a home is valued at $100,000, the property tax will generally be billed as if the home is valued at $75,000.
 
In 2008, nearly 97 percent of those eligible for the expanded Homestead Property Tax Exemption applied for and received the credit on their 2007 tax bill. The exact amount of savings varied, but across Ohio, qualified homeowners saved an average of about $400 per year.
 
Eligible Ohioans who have not previously applied have until June 1, 2009 to apply for the Homestead Exemption.
 
To be eligible, an Ohio resident homeowner must be:
- At least 65 years old or turning 65 in the year for which he is applying; or
- Totally and permanently disabled as of Jan. 1 of the year he applies, as certified by a licensed physician or psychologist, or a state or federal agency; or
- The surviving spouse of a person who received the previous homestead exemption at the time of death and where the surviving spouse was at least 59 years old on the date of death.
 
To qualify, an Ohio resident also must own and occupy a home as their principal residence as of Jan. 1 of the year he applies. For individuals who own more than one home, the principal residence is the home where the person is registered to vote and the person's residence for income tax purposes.
Taxpayers who have already filed an application for the expanded homestead exemption do not need to re-file. The original application contains the information the auditor will need. If the county auditor denies the application, the taxpayer will receive a notice explaining the reason for the denial.
 
A list of county auditor contacts and the application form are available on the Ohio Department of Taxation's Web site. For additional information, contact your local county auditor.
AAA8 Announces 2009 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program 
 
Farmers MarketSeniors in the region, who meet the eligibility guidelines, will soon be receiving some welcome relief from rising food budgets. The Washington County Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to buy produce.

A list of sign-up dates and locations for the program and other local resources is available on the AAA8 web site. Also present at the some registration events will be representatives from The Ohio Benefit Bank.

Local farmers are also needed to participate in the Market program. Farmers may sell seasonal items as long as the farmer grows at least 51 percent of the produce sold and does not purchase produce from a wholesaler (one who does not grow the produce).  A farmer may buy the rest of the produce - 49 percent of what is sold from other local farmers.  
 
For more details on what products are included in the program or to become an authorized SFMNP farmer, contact the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
 
The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA program in which grants are awarded to provide coupons to low-income seniors on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals are eligible for the Senior Farmers' Market if they are 60 + and have an annual income of $20,035 or less as a single person ($26,954 or less for a household of two). These SFMNP coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers. Only fresh, locally grown fruits, herbs and vegetables are eligible to be purchased with the coupons. 
 
The Ohio Department of Aging and AAA8 have partnered with local service providers to implement the program in Southeastern Ohio. Partners include: Athens Department of Jobs and Family Services (JFS); Hocking County JFS; Meigs Senior Center; Morgan County Office on Aging; GMN Tri-County Community Action in Noble County (Joyce M. Davis Senior Center) and Monroe County GMN Tri-County Community Action (Monroe County Senior Center); Perry County JFS; Washington County - Belpre, New Matamoras, Beverly and O'Neill Senior Centers.
 
Each eligible senior receives $50 per person. Each person will receive a total of ten $5 coupons: five $5 coupons valid from May 1- July 31 and five $5 coupons valid from Aug. 1- Oct. 31. Coupons may only be redeemed by authorized participating farmers who sell produce at farmers' markets, or roadside stands. The program will end Oct. 31, 2009.
AAA8 Donates Computers to Region's Senior Centers
Computer_DonationAs AAA8 upgrades computer equipment, Senior Centers across the region received equipment donations from AAA8 for use in their centers. The computers that Meigs County is using are 12 years old so this is a very welcome new addition to their equipment inventory. Shown are representatives from Meigs, Monroe/Noble Centers with AAA8 Planner Mindy Cayton (center).
May Is Older Americans Month - Make Your Plans Now 
 
2009 OAM Each May is observed nationwide as Older Americans Month. Together with Senior Citizens Day (the third Tuesday in May), Older Americans Month is a celebration of the contributions our older citizens have made to society, and is a chance for communities to give back and recognize the accomplishments of their elders. It also is a time to promote aging actively and encourage everyone, regardless of age, to live life to the fullest. Older Americans Month and Senior Citizens Day have a history dating back to 1977.

Ohio's theme for Older Americans Month 2009 is: "Reinvent Yourself, Reinvent Aging." Today's seniors are shrugging off traditional stereotypes. They are living healthy and active lives, engaged in multiple endeavors. They are employees and employers, students and teachers. They are volunteers, leaders and mentors. And, by being all these things, older Ohioans are supporting their communities and the state, and making a difference in the lives of others. They are celebrating their uniqueness and redefining what it means to grow old.

Communities and organizations throughout Ohio are hosting special events to celebrate Older Americans Month and Senior Citizens Day. Events can include health fairs, dinners, trips, contests and more. view our interactive list.

Visit ODA's web site for an Event Planning and Promotion Guide.  We encourage local senior centers, organizations, community leaders, advocates and others to plan activities for Older Americans Month and Senior Citizens Day. The Planning and Promotion Guide offers advice, sample event ideas, news releases and proclamations, and poster and flier designs you can customize to promote your event.
Add your event to the statewide list - You are invited to submit information about events to be added to a statewide list of events.
Find an event in your area - View a county-by-county listing of events, posted by the event organizers and sponsors. 

SAVE THE AAA8 DATES!
 
calendarApril 28-29: Ohio Aging Advocacy in Action Conference
Ohio Assoc. of AAAs - The Renaissance Hotel, Columbus
Click here for brochure
 
Apr. 28: Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting
Buckeye Hills will host its Semi-Annual Meeting April 28 at the Marietta Country Club. 
 
May 13:
The Area Agency on Aging 8 will be hosting a Housing Seminar on landlord tenant laws, foreclosures, fair housing, etc., on May 13 in Marietta.
Registration information and details will be available soon.
 
Nov. 12: Annual Choices Expo in Marietta.

Visit AAA8 Web Site for Events

  • Executive Director: Misty Casto
  • Assistant Executive Director & Area Agency on Aging Director: Rick Hindman
  • Home Care Director: Jane Skeen, LSW
  • Communications Director: Gwynn Clifford