TVCCA Energy Assistance Program- 2021
Applications will begin to be accepted on August 2nd. As of the printing of
this newsletter, the guidelines are incomplete and will be updated in upcoming
newsletters. At this time, there are some very basic things that must be provided
when you apply. They are:
*Social Security numbers for all household members.
*Birth date for all household members.
*A current active utility bill. The bill must be the listed household members name
that is age 18 or older. The bill must be complete, which means both top and
bottom of the bill must be intact before you make payment to the utility
company. (Usually, the bottom portion of the bill is removed and sent along with
your payment to the utility company.
*Current income documentation for every household member: Last four
consecutive week’s pay stubs (1 pay stub if paid monthly, 2 pay stubs if paid biweekly or 4 pay stubs if paid weekly) and/or Workman’s Compensation benefits
for the four weeks prior to your appointment date; showing gross income, tips,
commissions, and bonuses.
*Currently monthly Social Security, SSI, and/or Veteran’s benefit income
*Pension or Annuity check stub(s), or a letter from the payer on their letterhead
stating the gross amount.
*All bank interest statements and dividend payments for the past month (if more
than $10.00 per month.)
*Unemployment statements from the website www.ctdol.state.ct.us or
unemployment history printout (Within 24 hours prior to the appointment)
showing the last four consecutive weeks.
*Income from alimony and/or child support from Child Support Enforcement
(letter or printout), a bank statement if payment goes directly into a bank
statement.
*Rental income. Current documentation verifying the amount of rent you collect
from your tenant(s).
*Self-employment…..Must fill out the Self-Employment Worksheet, have it
notarized and bring your most recent tax return with all schedules attached.
*DSS cash advance award letter-showing the current income for the household.
*A signed statement indicating the amount and frequency of payments from
friends and relatives who are contributing toward your household’s support that
includes the name, address, and telephone number of the contributing person.
If you are interested in applying for the program, you have several options.
I will be accepting applications, by appointment, at the Preston Town Hall and
Preston Elderly Housing. Phone 860-887-5581 ext. 6 leaving your name,
telephone number and reason for the call. Or, you can contact the TVCCA Office
directly and schedule an appointment by calling 860-425-6681. They are located
at 401 West Thames Street, Unit 201, Norwich, Ct.
Voting – Content by Judy
Election Day will be here soon enough, and we all need to exercise our right to vote. Remind others and encourage them to vote as well. Keep in mind that we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we pick who represents us.
Voting is a basic right and our way to raise our voice and be a part of how our world runs.
Remember if you don’t vote you don’t get to complain after the fact about anything to do with taxes, the way things are or are not because you didn’t care enough to vote.
Sure, you can say “My vote doesn’t make any difference” but it does!! We all have seen those close election results. That great new candidate who ‘only’ lost by 3 votes. Someone else winning be a handful of votes. These are the perfect examples of your vote does make a difference.
We all need to find out who’s running this November and what those candidates stand for. If we agree with them or not. For those that are in office – do we think they are doing a good job? Do they listen? Do they represent what we want or are they always voting the party line? Should they get re-elected? Or is time for someone new?
And the candidates need to pay attention to us! Because the older population are the most likely to vote! We know what works and what doesn’t work. We have lived the social issues. We have seen the politics involved – both good and bad! And over 70% of us vote!!
Yes, out of every 10 people 65+, 7 of them will be voting in November.
Think about that… This age group can influence all policy. If taxes go up or down or stay the same? Does that referendum pass or does it fail? Does the new candidate win? Does the incumbent get re-elect?
Again, think about it! Your vote can be the very vote that drives change! Mark your calendar so you don’t forget. Call for a ride if you need one. But be sure to vote because elections are decided by those who show up!! Not those who stay home!!
As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world!!”
Tuesdays and Fridays via Zoom- Tai Ji Quan: Movement for Better Balance Class
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance is a research-based falls prevention exercise program that uses Tai Ji Quan based movements to improve strength, mobility, balance and daily function and to prevent falls. It is designed for older adults 60+ years old and people with balance difficulties. The next class of Tai Ji Quan will be held on October 5, 2021, from 8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Class meets: Tues. & Fri. Location: Zoom. The class is Free. Must be 60+ years old to participate. Contact Connie Capacchione, Uncas Health District at 860-639-5138.
Municipal Medical Transportation Service and Caregiver Transportation Program
The Town of Preston participates with 11 other towns in collaboration with
Eastern Connecticut Transportation Consortium and the CT Department of
Transportation to offer transportation services for medical appointments to
individuals age 60 and over and disabled adults. (This is a grant funded service
and there is no guarantee that funding will be available for the entire year).
To qualify, the program is open to individuals who reside in the Town of
Preston and have completed a registration form. (Individuals who are eligible for
free transportation through Medicaid are asked to use that program instead.)
Currently thirty-six one-way rides for the period of July 2, 2021 – June 30,
2022 can be provided for medical appointments in New London County as long as
funds are available.
Reservations must be made no later than 48 hours in advance but can be
scheduled up to 2 weeks ahead. Trips can be scheduled during normal business
hours. Requests for weekend and Monday trips must be made no later than
Friday by 2 p.m. Personal Care Attendants (or family member acting as an escort)
may accompany passengers who need extra help with entering and exiting the
vehicle or have other needs that make traveling independently unsafe.
In order to protect the health of others, passengers must be free from
acute illnesses such as flu, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and infections such as
pneumonia. You may be asked to wear some sort of face covering by your
transportation provider (unless it is medically contraindicated).
For additional information on the Medical Transportation Program, please
contact the Senior Affairs Office at 860-887-5581 ext. 6.
Get Out There!! – Content by Judy
New Age???
New Time???
New Start???
Do any of us know what to call this time we are now living? I can’t figure it out myself. I just know I’ll never live a ‘normal’ life again. That was before COVID. Now I just know things a different and I need to create the life I want to live.
Things will be different because we are different. But how do we want this new ‘different’ to look? Should we be making a new plan? Finding new avenues? Reassessing those things we wanted but didn’t do before?
My husband and I started a list several months ago of things we were going to do after COVID. On it I added go to bars. My husband said, “But we don’t go to bars!” “No, but we’re going to start because it’s something new and different. Who knows we might even like them!” So, we’ll see…
That’s sort of a silly example of trying something new. Going somewhere we might be uncomfortable. Experiencing a new environment. But it will get us engaged in a new way and who knows we might even make new friends or find people we used to know.
I want all of you to experience that new day. A new start. For you to act and move forward. Even if you don’t know what ‘IT’ is. Work on ‘IT’. Figure ‘IT’ out. Make a plan. Pick a day of each week to try something new.
It can be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee in a new place. You’re not alone. There will be others looking for the same things you are looking for. Say hello as you walk by. You just need to get out there.
The next day maybe go for a walk. Then reach out and ask someone to go out to eat or visit a museum. Even if they can’t go then, see if they want to meet up another time. I can almost guarantee they do! They are lonely too. Invite a few friends and family over for a game night or a cookout. Reach out to an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. Put yourself out there. Volunteer. Go to the library. Join the gym. Sign up for a class at the Senior Center.
And if a few things don’t go as you thought they would, remember it’s ok. You’re trying. Finding a new path can be hard and it will take time. But you just might end up in a totally different place than what you thought you wanted. And it can be even better than you ever imagined!!
So be sure to remember aging is a privilege. A time to explore. A time for growth. A time make new connections with new people and places.
As we travel into this new world don’t forget to reinvent yourself and your life!!