Monday – April 27th 2020 – Join us for this update while all Covid-19 precautions are in effect as Kerry Fink updates on today’s vlog with Helping Seniors Founder & President Joe Steckler. Together they talk about updates on the Helping Seniors Car Raffle and the need for supporting the work of good charities, such as Helping Seniors, during these unprecedented times.
Join us for Helping Seniors Update – a special outreach of the Helping Seniors of Brevard organization – designed to keep you up-to-date on services and happenings in Brevard County. Join Helping Seniors Media & Marketing Director Kerry Fink for this ongoing conversation about all things Seniors.
More News & Information
Pulling the Curtain back on Senior Mental Health
New Helping Seniors TV – Traci Graf (Avid Home Health Care) joins Helping Seniors TV host Kerry Fink to talk about a rarely discussed, but very important, topic – Depression and Senior Mental Health.
Tips to stay on top of your finances during the coronavirus pandemic
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – An official website of the United States government
This article has good information on:
If you can’t pay your bills
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See these steps. Don’t hesitate to contact your financial lenders and creditors if you can’t keep up because COVID-19 has cost you income. The CFPB and other financial regulators have encouraged lenders to work with their customers during this time.
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If you can’t make your mortgage payments
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The new CARES Act allows homeowners with federally backed loans who are affected by the pandemic to request a forbearance of their mortgage for up to 180 days. The forbearance can be extended for up to an additional 180 days. Private mortgage loans may also offer programs. Learn more here.
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If you can’t keep up with your student loans
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The CARES Act also automatically suspends payments on federally-held student loans through September 30, 2020. For help with a student loan other than a federally-held loan, you should contact your servicer to see what options are available to you.
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If you’re already behind on your bills
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Check out these tips for dealing with debt – a stressful experience even under normal circumstances.
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If you’re a financial caregiver
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Those who serve as financial caregivers for older adults or people with disabilities may have unique worries and challenges.
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Additional Resources for Food & Pet Care
Food Assistance for Seniors in Brevard County:
Meals of Love is an “emergency nutrition assistance program” for Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. It’s a pilot program that partners restaurants and seniors to provide warm, restaurant meals to seniors in need.
For more details, visit: www.MealsofLove.org
Emergency Pet Boarding Relief:
Need assistance with emergency pet boarding? Visit RedRover for emergency boarding grants.
“The RedRover Relief Emergency Boarding grant program helps animals who need temporary boarding while their owners are hospitalized due to the COVID-19 virus. This grant will cover the cost of up to two (2) weeks of boarding while a pet owner is hospitalized.”
For more information, visit: https://redrover.org/relief/emergency-boarding-grants/
RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
From the Desk of Kim Bernard, Helping Seniors Education Specialist:
Brevard County Government Coronavirus Covid-19 Page
https://www.brevardfl.gov/emergency-event/status-reports
U.S. Congressman Bill Posey Constituent Services Coronavirus Covid-19 Resource Page
https://posey.house.gov/constituent-services/coronavirus.htm
GOOD TIME TO DONATE TO HELPING SENIORS!
The federal stimulus bill is encouraging as well. Here are some tips about this bill that relate to non-profits, such as Helping Seniors, struggling to keep their doors open.
Donations must be made by cash, check or credit card to qualify:
A donation of $300 or less. Whether or not you itemize for your taxes, you will be able to deduct your donation to a non-profit for your federal taxes from here on out for 2020.
Higher value donations. An individual can make a cash only gift and deduct it up to 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income for the year. This is only valid for 2020 due to the Stimulus Package.
Corporate giving. There’s also a substantial benefit for corporate charitable gifts.The benefit for corporate charitable gifts is usually limited to 10% of taxable income for the corporation. This has been increased to 25% of the taxable income, making 2020 charitable gifts much more attractive to many companies.
Please consult your tax professional for details.
Want to donate now? Get your Helping Seniors Car Raffle tickets today – CLICK HERE!
Helping Seniors Car Raffle
“UPDATES REGARDING HELPING SENIORS CAR RAFFLE & HELPING SENIORS OPERATIONS”
Quite the week and quite the month! Just like you, we’re keeping up with news, watching what’s happening in our country/world and then, within the last few days, we’ve gone from our normal routine to stepping up to assist Seniors over the next period when social distancing is the most recommended way that we keep our Seniors safe.
Given the situation facing all of us, here’s what to expect from Helping Seniors as we move forward in this unprecedented time:
We have made the decision to postpone the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Grand Drawing event from its originally scheduled April 25th date. The landscape is changing daily, even hourly, and at this time it wouldn’t be prudent to forecast a new Grand Drawing date just yet but rest assured that our President Joe Steckler is working with American Muscle Car Museum Owner Mark Pieloch – and this is event is at the top of the reschedule date list as soon as we get approval from government officials that it is safe to do so.
Ticket sales remain open during this time – both online and also by telephone at 321-473-7770 – and the Helping Seniors Car Raffle Grand Drawing will take place, as planned, at the American Muscle Car Museum, at a to-be-determined date as soon as reasonably practical following lifting of government restrictions on larger gatherings. We pledge to update you no later than every 10 days regarding the status for this event.
Meanwhile, on our service as a non-profit organization, dedicated to operating the County’s Senior Information Helpline (now entering its 10th year of service) and providing outbound information services to Seniors in Brevard through print, TV, and Radio, we continue our services, actually, at an accelerated pace.
Our Senior Information Helpline (321-473-7770) remains open during this time and we have implemented contingencies to ensure we are able to continue to provide support and information to Seniors and their families in our area.
In addition, our Radio and TV broadcasts continue as scheduled, as do our print and digital outbound information efforts and our team is organizing a Senior Information update service via Social Media that you will be hearing more about during this week.
We thank you for your continued trust and support of Helping Seniors of Brevard – one thing this health crisis has made abundantly clear is that we need to really look after our Seniors and ensure their protection and safety during this time. Thank you for your interest and support in Helping Seniors of Brevard.”