Group organizes sign-ups for stimulus pay

Wednesday is the filing deadline for the $300 Economic Stimulus Payment.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Area Agency on Aging 11’s long-term care ombudsman staff, along with volunteers, are making a final push to get residents signed up to receive their $300 Economic Stimulus Payment by assisting veterans on Tuesday.

Wednesday is the filing deadline. Seniors or retirees who do not have to file taxes any more are still eligible for a $300 Stimulus Payment if they received $3,000 in 2007 from Social Security, Social Security Disability, Veterans Benefits, and/or Railroad Retirement Benefits.

Ombudsmen, volunteers and an IRS representative will be on hand at the Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in Warren and Youngstown on Tuesday. Staff will be at the Warren VA Clinic, 1460 Tod Ave. N.W., from 10 a.m. to noon; and at the Youngstown VA Clinic, 2031 Belmont Ave., from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., an Area Agency on Aging official said.

The latest figures from the IRS show that 165,001 eligible Ohioans still have not filed for their stimulus check. Locally, here is a breakdown of the number of retirees and/or veterans who have not filed by county: Ashtabula, 1,699; Columbiana, 1,797; Mahoning, 4,249, and Trumbull, 3,216.

For information or assistance, call the Area Agency on Aging at (330) 746-2938.

alcorn@vindy.com