Programs

    Elderly and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program

    The application filing period for the Elderly and totally Disabled Tax Relief Program is from February 1 thru May 15, 2021.

    Please be aware that the IRS has issued specific guidance about the 2020 stimulus payments and have stated that these payments are not categorized as income, therefore, any economic stimulus payments received during calendar year 2020 WILL NOT count as income for these tax relief programs.

    Qualifying income guidelines for the Elderly and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program are $37,600 for unmarried individuals and $45,800.00 for married persons.

    If you are currently participating in the Homeowner Program and need to reapply, you will receive notice from the Preston Assessor’s Office advising you of that requirement.

    Proof of all sources of income including but not limited to Social Security, pensions, interest statements, employment, etc. are required. If you filed Income Tax, a copy of the signed and dated document is necessary to provide as well. It is extremely important that you provide all necessary documentation for the application to be completed.

    Due to the COVIC-19 pandemic, the application process will change this year. I will be asking you to drop-off your paperwork in the blue Drop Box located at the front entrance to the Preston Town Hall. I will review your information and contact you by telephone to complete your application. I will arrange a time that is mutually acceptable to have you return to the Preston Town Hall to sign the application(s). At which time, I will return any/all original documents which you have provided.

    Please call the office at 860-887-5581 ext. 6 informing me that you dropped off your information at the Town Hall. (if leaving a phone message, please include your name and telephone number. The application process does not begin until February 1st.

    AARP Tax Assistance Program

    Regrettably, the Preston Senior Center will not host the AARP Tax
    Assistance Program during this tax season. The COVID-19 pandemic is the
    primary reason. BUT existing clients will be encouraged to contact the Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich to receive assistance with their income tax preparation. NO NEW CLIENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Beginning during January, you are encouraged to contact the Rose City Senior Center at 860-889-5960 to schedule an appointment.

    For those individuals who are existing clients only:
    New to the process is that you will have to go to the Rose City Senior
    Center at least 48 hours prior to your appointment to pick-up a booklet to be completed. (This is the same type of information that you would routinely complete at our center). You will need to complete the paperwork and include it with your income tax information. (Do not place your information in a plastic bag as the virus can live longer in that environment). It is suggested that you place your documents in a secure location within your locked vehicle trunk until the time of your appointment.

    Drive-thru service will remain the same as last year. You drive up, staff will
    take your paperwork out of the trunk of your car, they work on it and give you a call on your cell phone when they have questions or when your income tax is completed. Appointments will be available on Tuesday and Thursday only.

    You will also need a cell phone available so that you can be contacted when
    the AARP tax preparer completes your document.

    AARP Tax Assistance

    I feel like we’ve been here before and I was so hopeful that this year we might be able to return to normalcy for the tax program. No, not so. Once again, we will not be holding the Tax Assistance program at the Preston Senior Center this coming year. Yes, COVID-19 is the cause of the cancellation plus our facility isn’t large enough to safely accommodate each person having their income taxes prepared. Once again, you will be directed to the Rose City Senior Center in Norwich to schedule an appointment to have your taxes completed. Their phone number is 860-889-5960. we are hopeful that sometime in the very near future that our good friends from AARP will be manning the Preston site. In addition to having an opportunity to visit with all our Preston neighbors having their taxes done for free, we miss the volunteers immensely!

    March 3, 2021 at 5:00pm- Presentation: Medicare Savings Program and Low Income Subsidy Program

    A free presentation will be provided by a Certified CHOICES Counselor from Senior Resources Agency on Aging. (No insurance will be sold)
    The session includes: *Overview of Medicare Premiums *Overview of the Low Income Subsidy *Overview of the Medicare Savings Program *How it helps to reduce the cost of medications *How it helps you pay Medicare Health Premiums *Medicare Preventive Services.

    Sessions are available on March 3, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m., April 7, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m., May 5, 2021 @ 2:00 p.m. and June 2, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! Visit www.seniorrresourcesec.org.