Q. Will there be tax preparation clinics this year given all the pandemic restrictions?
A: The appointments might be handled a little differently, but the plan is still to have free tax preparation available for older adults and persons with disabilities. Both the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and AARP Tax Volunteer programs should be available starting in February.
If you made less than $57,000 in 2020 and need assistance in preparing your tax return, the VITA trained volunteers will prepare basic federal and state tax returns, as well as homestead property tax credit and home heating credit, for low-income individuals, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Complex tax returns and those involving business pursuits need to be completed through a tax preparation service. This is the information on VITA sites available currently:
Berrien and Cass Counties: Sites are being determined still. Please call 2-1-1 in February 2021 and the information should be available at that time.
Van Buren County: Starting February 2021, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-5pm, at Freshwater Church, 600 E. Michigan Ave, Paw Paw. This site will start by taking walk-in / drop-off of tax paperwork. Taxes will be completed in a week.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides in-person and remote tax assistance free of charge to anyone, with a special focus on taxpayers who are 50 or older or who have low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide and are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. According to AARP’s website, tax help will be provided in safe environments using a variety of methods based on a number of factors including where you are located, COVID-19 spread, and volunteer availability. Check for updated information and availability at www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/ after January 22, 2021.
Finally, if you are computer savvy, you can file both your state and federal taxes online at www.myfreetaxes.com. This free and safe service is a partnership between United Way and H&R Block and is now open to all income levels, individuals and families, unless you need to file schedule C, D, or E. The site includes live tax support, via email, chat or phone, to answer any questions you have.
Region IV Area Agency on Aging’s (RIVAAA) Info Line for Aging and Disability will try to assist with information about tax preparation in our area as it comes available, so you can call 800-654-2810 as well.
Q. I thought Medicare paid for long term care and when that is used up then Medicaid pays for it. But my parents want to move to an assisted living and they are being told neither of these insurance options work.
A: Medicare only covers the first 100 days of care in a licensed, skilled nursing facility when an individual is admitted after a qualifying 3-day stay at a hospital. The first 20 days are completely covered, while days 21-100 have a co-insurance cost per day, unless the patient already has Medicaid or has a supplemental / Medigap policy that covers the co-insurance. Days 101 and beyond are private pay, or the individual will have Medicaid coverage moving forward.
Assisted living facilities, licensed or not, as well as adult foster care homes and homes for the aged, are not skilled nursing care providers and are not covered by Medicare. There are circumstances where an individual might qualify to have Medicaid coverage, or qualify to have some extra services paid for by the Medicaid Waiver, also known as the MI Choice program, but the room and board will always be the private pay responsibility of the resident. It is very important to understand all the costs associated with assisted living or adult foster care, before moving in to one, because care costs can increase as a person’s needs increase, and if an individual runs out of funds they could end up having to move somewhere else. For more information about long term care costs and the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver, contact RIVAAA at 800-654-2810 or go to www.AreaAgencyonAging.org.