Putnam County Office for Senior Resources

Are you turning 65 years old or joining Medicare because of a disability? Learn more information at the Welcome to Medicare Virtual Fair on June 23rd! Go to www.shiphelp.org to enroll and to see the agenda of events. #pcosr #medicare #welcometomedicare #HIICAP

NEW Eligibility Guidelines! ALL Veterans, Veteran Spouses and Caregivers now eligible to receive the COVID Vaccine through the VA Health Care System #VAHudsonValley #putnamcountyny #Veterans #VeteranSpouses #caregivers #PCOSR

Updated Information from the VA #covid19vaccinedistribution #veterans #pcosr #VAHudsonValley

VA Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics 3/10 & 3/13

**APPOINTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR TOMORROW** COVID Vaccines for Putnam County Residents 65 years of age and older on March 9th in Philipstown #putnamcountyny #putnamcountynyseniors #pcosr #pcdoh #covid19vaccinedistribution

Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic -- Saturday, March 6th from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm at our Castle Point Campus in Wappingers Falls.

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) celebrated Older New Yorkers' Day virtually back in November to recognize volunteers from across the state. We want to personally congratulate Putnam County's awardees, Christina Capizola and Ronald Cummings for their dedication and contributions to the older adults of Putnam County. #putnamcountyny #putnamcountynyseniors #nysofa #ONYersAwardee #volunteers #pcosr

From the Desk of Lynn Hill, HIICAP Coordinator How to use the Medicare Plan Finder, Step by Step https://youtu.be/QgXmY8-gEHk... #pcosr #HIICAP #medicareopenenrollment #medicare

Grab 'n' Go Breakfast at the Patterson Library this Saturday, 10/17! As part of The Great Give Back, the Patterson Library is hosting a "drive thru" boxed breakfast for all Putnam County Senior Citizens. **Registration is required!!** More information on attached poster!... PATTERSON LIBRARY

PRESS RELEASE Putnam County Office for Senior Resources Stand With Us - Putnam County’s Fall Prevention Expo...Continue reading

Medicare Basics- Virtual Presentation With compliments from the New York State Office for the Aging and the Administration of Community Living (Grant number is 90SAPG0105), the following webinar link provides all New Yorkers a virtual presentation on Medicare Basics. This webinar discusses the latest information and introductions to Medicare’s enrollment, cost-sharing, Medicare Advantage, Part D and low-income subsidy programs.

Unsolicited, mislabeled seed packets Due to the high volume of inquiries and reports from residents receiving unsolicited, mislabeled and/or unlabeled packages of seed in the mail, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, along with the United States Department of Agriculture, are asking that New Yorkers please mail the sealed package of seeds, the original packaging, the residents’ contact information, and any additional relevant details directly to the USDA at: Offi...ce of the State Plant Health Director of New York c/o Christopher Zaloga, United States Department of Agriculture 500 New Karner Rd. Albany, NY 12205 Those who receive seeds should NOT use 9-1-1 to report the receipt of seeds. The USDA is investigating this situation and has stated that it currently does not have any evidence indicating this is something other than a brushing scam, where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. Legitimate seeds imported into the United States meet rigorous standards to ensure quality and prevent introduction of invasive species, insects and diseases. People who receive seeds that they did not order, that are mislabeled, or are from a questionable source, should not plant or handle the seeds. The Department recommends that if residents buy seeds online, they buy from a reputable, known source. Most seed companies maintain their own e-commerce sites. Purchasing from a known, reputable seed company increases the likelihood of receiving properly labeled seeds that meet germination, sanitation and trueness to variety standards. It also ensures the seeds have met standards that protect plants and agricultural crops from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Residents can email the USDA at [email protected].

Distribution of Farmers Market Coupons to Putnam County Seniors #putnamcountyny #putnamnyseniors #farmersmarketcoupons #pcosr

Putnam County's Office for Senior Resources was pleased to serve as the regional hub for the Hudson Valley's hand sanitizer distribution for the area's seniors. The shipment was handled by a unit of the New York Army National Guard based at Camp Smith in nearby Cortlandt. These men were happy to be a part of the efforts to support the health and well-being of the seniors in our community. There were many smiles behind those face masks! photo courtesy of OSR Director Michael Cunningham

Face Covering Distribution Days for Putnam County Seniors

Stimulus Checks FAQ Who will get a stimulus check? If you are US Citizen or permanent resident who filed federal income taxes for 2018 or 2019 AND meet income thresholds ($99k for single filer, $198k for joint filer, no children) You receive Social Security Retirement, disability (SSDI) or survivor benefits ... You receive railroad retirement benefits How will I get my money? Your check will come automatically, by direct deposit, into the account your federal tax return is deposited. If you did not provide direct deposit information to the IRS, the IRS will send you a paper check. For people who did not file taxes in 2019, the IRS has a free online tool so they can receive their Economic Impact Payments faster: https://www.irs.gov/coro/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here Otherwise, the IRS will send a payment to the address or bank account where you receive your Social Security or railroad retirement benefits. Do I have to pay income tax on the stimulus money? No. How can I see the status of my stimulus payment? On April 17 the IRS is releasing a tracking tool on their website: www.irs.gov Will the stimulus money impact benefits like SNAP? No the economic impact payment does not count as income for SNAP in NYS for the month of receipt and the following two months. https://otda.ny.gov/policy/gis/2020/20DC027.pdf

SCAM #3 Stimulus Check Scam The ink is barely dry on the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act" or the "CARES Act" - and scammers are already coming up with schemes to defraud taxpayers. Specifically, identity thieves are using confusion over the stimulus checks to convince potential victims to turn over personally-identifying information.... The Better Business Bureau is already reporting that government imposters are calling about COVID-19 relief. As part of the scam, callers suggest that you might qualify for a special COVID-19 government grant and that it's necessary to first verify your identity and process your request. Variations on the scheme involve contacts through text messages, social media posts, and messages. Other twists on the scam suggest that you can get more money from the government - or get your stimulus check faster - if you share personal details and pay a small "processing fee." Don't take the bait. Stimulus checks are free money from the government. You don't need to spend money to receive your check. And there are no short-cuts - even for a fee. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will deposit your check into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check). The IRS will not call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out your bank account, debit account, or PayPal account information - even if someone claims it's necessary to get your stimulus check. It's a scam. If you receive a call, don't engage with scammers or thieves, even if you want to tell them that you know it's a scam, or you think that you can beat them. Just hang up. If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Don't click on any links in those emails.

Scam #2 Corona Virus Scam Police are warning cell phone users of a new text message scam during the coronavirus pandemic. The Thomaston Police Department in Maine posted on Facebook a photo of the alert being sent to people in a text message. The message was sent to someone in Maine from an Indiana area code telling them they need to self-isolate because they came in contact with someone who tested positive or has shown symptoms for coronavirus.... The alert also tells you to get tested. "If you receive a text message like the one pictured, DO NOT click the link!" police wrote on Facebook. "It is not a message from any official agency. It is however a gateway for bad actors to find their way into your world." Police said it could be a phishing scam to get your personal information. "The virus is not the only invisible enemy," police said. "Be vigilant against all threats!" The BBB said scammers have also been targeting seniors with text messages posing as the U.S. Department of Health, and telling them they need to take a mandatory online COVID-19 test in order to receive the recently approved government stimulus payment. See more

BEWARE OF SCAMS 3 New Scams have been identified. Here is some information to help you avoid being a victim SCAM #1... Homeowner Repair Grants Earlier this week our office was notified by the Montgomery County Office for the Aging that they have been getting a large number of NY Connects calls from older adults who had received a postcard mailing addressed to resident from the National Residential Improvement Association (NRIA) offering to help them get a grant to repair their home. The postcard looks official, but it is not a government program, and the company currently does not have a valid business license. NRIA has been reported to the Better Business Bureau multiple times since 2008. This is a scam. Government grant scams are on the rise. With the recently passed federal stimulus bill, scammers are taking advantage of homeowners of all ages by making bogus offers to secure generous grants for home repairs. What to look out for: Unsolicited phone calls or emails from someone claiming to be an official from the Federal Grants Administration (which does not exist), or a nonprofit organization like the National Residential Improvement Association offering grants or funding for repairs. Social media messages or posts from people excited to share the thousands of dollars they claim to have received from an organization that secures grants for homeowners. Callers who ask you to pay a fee in order to receive a grant. Federal grants never charge for grant applications. Magazine or newspaper ads that offer free grants. Calls or emails that claim you’re eligible for a personal grant that does not restrict how you spend the money. Protect yourself: Do not answer your telephone if you do not recognize the caller or number. Never share personal information over the telephone, like your Medicare number, Social Security number or banking information. Never pay a fee to a company that says it will help you get a grant. Block or unfriend anyone who offers unsolicited grant information on social media. Even if you are friends with that person they may have been hacked. Only use local contractors with validated references to do work in your home. If you have been a victim of such a scam: Report it to the New York State Attorney General’s Office: 800-771-7755 Report to the AARP Fraud Watch Network: 877-908-3360 Report the scammer to the Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/consumer-c/file-a-complaint/get-started

For Crisis Respite & Peer Support

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell, was joined by county Legislators, state lawmakers, members of her administration and county employees for the grand opening of the fully renovated and expanded senior citizens center in Carmel.

Closure Announcement Today, December 17th, OSR has closed all Friendship Centers and Adult Day Programs due to the current weather conditions. The Home Delivered Meal program is also cancelled. Stay warm! Stay safe!