PRSRT STD

STATE REPRESENTATIVE U.S. POSTAGE

John J. Taylor
177th Le gislative District
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 432
Representative John Taylor Senior Update Fall 2010

Senior Expo Set for October

Please mark your calendar and make plans to attend my annual Senior Expo on Friday, Oct. 8 from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cohox Recreational Center at the corner of Cedar and Cambria Streets.
This event, which attracts hundreds of people each year, provides an opportunity for you to ask
questions, partake in free health screenings and receive information about programs and services
available from local, state and federal government agencies. More than 60 exhibitors will be offering
the following information and services:

◆ Free health screenings

◆ Health insurance information
◆ Injury prevention for seniors
◆ Consumer information on
public utilities
◆ Support and assistance available
for crime victims
◆ Domestic violence and elder abuse
information
◆ Personal response and emergency
call services
◆ Hospital and home care
equipment
◆ Tax information
◆ Transportation services
◆ Food stamps
◆ Skilled nursing, physical therapy,
occupational therapy,
rehabilitation, home health care
and much more.

My staff and I always enjoy meeting

you, your families and caregivers during
the expo, and we look forward to seeing
you again this year!
 City Receives $500,000 Grant to Identify
Senior Citizens Who Are Eligible for Benefits
The Commonwealth has many programs for senior citizens, but every year thousands of older Penn-
sylvanians do not take advantage of services and assistance for which they are eligible. It is estimated that
nearly 5,000 Philadelphia senior citizens fall into this category.
Through the BenePhilly Enrollment Project, the city is hoping to pair seniors with the programs they
need. A $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service will help
Philadelphia identify those senior citizens who meet the income guidelines for food assistance, but do not
participate in the program.
In addition to helping older individuals enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
the effort will also help seniors apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PACE and PACENET and
for Medicare prescription programs.
If you believe you may be eligible for one of these programs, call or stop by one of my district offices.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Extended

The deadline to file for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has been extended to Dec. 31,
2010. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid
in 2009. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers
50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities who meet the following income
requirements:

◆ $0 and $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters)

◆ $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters)
◆ $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only)
◆ $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only)

When calculating income, exclude 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and
Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits. Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property
tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. For residents who already ap-
plied, the Department of Revenue started sending out rebate checks in July.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting one of my district offices or visiting
RepTaylor.com.

Rx Price Finder Can Help You

Find the Best Prices for Prescription Drugs
Even with the Medicare Part D Program and assistance from PACE or PACENET, there are still many
older Pennsylvanians who struggle to afford their prescription drugs. Perhaps you do not qualify for PACE or
PACENET because of age or income, but there are still resources available to make your medications more
affordable.
Pennsylvania has an online service to help you find the best prices
on your prescription drugs called the PA Rx Price Finder. This website
allows you to enter the names, strength and doses of your medica-
tions to find the pharmacies offering the most affordable prices.
Simply log onto PARxPriceFinder.com and follow the simple
instructions. Be sure to have your prescription information ready
when you begin. If you have difficulty using the website or do not
have Internet access, contact one of my district offices.

For more information

 Free Legal Advice for
Senior
Citizens
If you are a
Pennsylvania resi-
dent who is over
the age of 60 and you need assistance getting
legal advice, the SeniorLaw Helpline may be
able to help you.
This service provides free, confidential legal
advice and, if needed, referrals to participating
lawyers. Volunteer attorneys affiliated with the
service advise callers about civil legal matters, but
do not provide direct representation.
The SeniorLaw Helpline is available by calling
toll free to 1-877-727-7529, between the hours of
10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
In addition, the Pennsylvania Bar Associa-
tion (PBA) publishes A Legal Guide for Senior
Citizens on its website at pabar.org. In it, you
will find guidance on financial and estate planning,
elder care, wills and trusts, income tax prepara-
tion, Social Security and retirement benefits, insur-
ance, consumer protection and fraud prevention,
housing options, long-term care and much more.
To view a copy of the online guide, go to pabar.
org, select “Law-Related Public Education,” then
“Law-Related Information for Consumers” and
“Legal Guide for Senior Citizens.”
Insurance Department
Website, a Great Resource
Many senior citizens have contacted my office
with questions about health care plans, life insurance,
Medicare, long-term care plans, auto coverage and
annuities, as well as how to protect their identity. An
excellent source of information on these and other in-
surance related issues is the Department of Insurance
website at ins.state.pa.us. By selecting “Services
for Consumers,” you will find answers to frequently
asked questions. Family members and caregivers are
also encouraged to visit the site as well. Specific links
are designed with their questions in mind.
Seniors who do not have Internet access or who
may want to talk with a representative of the Insur-
ance Department may call the department’s Bureau
of Consumer Services at (877) 881-6388.
Veterans Benefits, Services
Contained in Brochure
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Vet-
erans Affairs has developed a brochure that contains
a comprehensive listing of benefits and services for
U.S. veterans and their beneficiaries. The informa-
tion contained in the brochure may be found online
at paveterans.state.pa.us.

You Should Know… To obtain your copy of the brochure, stop by one
of my district offices or call or visit the Philadelphia
Veterans Multi Service Center at 213 N. 4th Street,
◆ If you are 65 years of age or older and your (215) 923-1163; or the Philadelphia VA Medical Cen-
annual income is less than $23,500, ($31,500 for ter, 3900 Woodland Ave., (215) 823-5800.
married couples) you may qualify for the Senior
Citizen Low Income Special Real Estate Tax Provi-
sion, also known as the Real Estate Property Tax
Freeze. You will need proof of age to apply in any
of my district offices.
◆ SEPTA Transit ID cards are available for
people age 65 and older. Senior citizens can apply
at one of my district offices or at SEPTA’s customer
service office by calling (215) 580-7800.
◆ If you want to make changes in your health
care or drug plans, the open enrollment period
for this is Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, 2010. Medi-
care beneficiaries should watch their mailboxes
for open enrollment notices from their insurance
carriers. These notices are expected to be mailed
in early October.
◆ For information on what programs and ser-
vices are available for seniors in your community,
look no further than your local Area Agency on
Aging. Contact the Philadelphia Corporation for
Aging at 642 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, at (215)
765-9040 or on the web at pcacares.org.

n visit RepTaylor.com
 You May be Eligible
for Free Eye Care
Pennsylvania’s seniors could qualify for medical
eye care with no out-of-pocket cost.
EyeCare America (ECA), a public service program
founded by the foundation of the American Academy
of Ophthalmology in 1985, provides free medical eye
care to seniors throughout the country.
The mission of ECA is to reduce preventable
blindness and serious visual impairment by raising
consciousness about eye disease and health care
options. By distributing informational materials and
serving as a resource for high-risk individuals, ECA
has helped countless people get medical attention for
Rep. Taylor (left) joins Rose Webster of the Juniata
diseases that cost the U.S. government upwards of
Town Watch group, City Controller Alan Butkovitz and
$4 billion annually. In Pennsylvania alone, ECA has
City Councilman Frank Rizzo during National Night
helped more nearly 28,000 people.
Out at Aramingo Crossings shopping center.
ECA offers several eye care programs for which
individuals may qualify. Those who call will be asked
several questions in order to determine which pro-
gram best suits their individual needs. Some seniors
– those who have not seen an ophthalmologist in
three years or longer – are eligible to receive a referral
for an office visit at no cost to them.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD),
cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are all
treatable conditions in their early stages, yet remain
leading causes of disabilities. According to the Na-
tional Eye Institute, AMD is the leading cause of legal
blindness affecting more than 10 million Americans
age 65 or older.
For more information, call 1-800-222-EYES (1- Hundreds turned out for last year’s Senior Expo at
800-222-3937) or visit eyecareamerica.org. Cohox Recreation Center. This year’s Expo is set for
Oct. 8.

District Office Services DISTRICT OFFICES:

2901 E. Thompson St.
My district offices are here to help you.
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Services my staff and I provide include:
Phone: (215) 425-0901 / Fax: (215) 560-3996
 Help in obtaining disability plates 1039 E. Hunting Park Ave.
and handicapped placards
 Driver’s license and vehicle Philadelphia, PA 19124
registration applications and Phone: (215) 744-3009 / Fax: (215) 560-5776
renewals
 Property Tax/Rent Rebate 4725-27 Richmond St.
applications Philadelphia, PA 19137
 PACE and PACENET applications
 State tax forms Phone: (215) 744-2600 / Fax: (215) 744-2605
 Referrals to agencies to
resolve state-related matters HARRISBURG OFFICE:
If we may be of assistance, please do not PO Box 202177
hesitate to contact my district office near Harrisburg, PA 17120-2177
you.
Phone: (717) 787-3179 / Fax: (717) 260-6519

RepTaylor.com