ArizonaRealCountry.com 11 March 2019 Sun City CAN is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity organization dedicated to providing free help to residents of Sun City and surrounding communities, especially low-income residents. The Sun City Taxpayers Association was founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1969 to advocate in matters of local tax and utility rate increases. They reorganized in 2011 as the Sun City Community Assistance Network (Sun City CAN) to better reflect their broadened scope of services. The mission of Sun City CAN is to connect people with resources to enhance their standard of living. Their office is at 10195 W. Coggins Drive (behind Sun Valley Lodge). Their only source of income is from the annual donations they receive from residents, service clubs and companies. Last year they received contributions from about 1,800 households. All services they provide are free to everyone they assist and they never charge for the aid they provide. If you have a question or problem, they are available to help. Are there really low-income people in Sun City? The U.S. Census Bureau states 8.4% of Sun City’s population is below the poverty line. This works out to about 3,150 persons, mainly elderly widows. They are primarily a volunteer organization with two part-time employees and are always looking for volunteers to help. Free Income Tax Preparation During the tax season, they host 75 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers who prepare and e-file Federal and State income tax returns. Over 2,100 federal and over 1,900 state returns are filed each year. Property Tax Refunds Some low-income homeowners and renters may be eligible for cash refunds of up to $502 on their property taxes. Volunteer counselors walk the applicants through the process. Over 500 clients are helped each year. Filing Amended Tax Returns After tax season, several volunteers help residents who need to file amended returns or respond to letters from the IRS. They are the only Tax-Aide site in the West Valley providing this service. Meals on Wheels Sun City CAN and Sun City Meals on Wheels have joined forces to help low-income homebound seniors. Currently, the meals delivered to low-income clients, those whose income is less than 150% of poverty, are subsidized. These clients only pay $4.00 per meal instead of the normal $7.50 per meal. Paying for these subsidies was putting a strain on the Meals on Wheels budget so CAN has stepped in to help. CAN and Meals on Wheels are now sharing the cost of the subsidy program. Each is paying half of the $3.50 subsidy per meal. Cheryl Duter, Sun City Meals on Wheels President said, “CAN is a blessing to the community. Sun City Meals on Wheels is honored to team with CAN to assist those in the community who need help to purchase healthy, nutritious meals. Partnering with CAN to share the subsidy costs will permit Meals on Wheels to accept more clients who cannot afford to pay for their meals.” Home Respite Care Sun City CAN and Sun Cities CareGivers home health agency are teaming up to provide a resource for low-income Sun City residents. It is called In Home Respite Care or In Home Caregiver Relief. The service provides short term breaks, usually four hours, to relieve stress and restore energy in the caregiver’s life. These in-home short term care breaks are provided by trained and skilled caregivers from Sun Cities CareGivers. To be eligible for the program, the elderly, ill or handicapped person who is being cared for by a family member or family members must meet the following criteria: Be a full-time Sun City resident. Have a monthly income less than $2,024 (single) or $2,744 (two people). Have less than $13,300 in savings. Crisis Assistance with Utility Bills The Crisis Assistance program is funded by APS and Southwest Gas. Through this program, they are able to help low-income people who are experiencing a crisis (loss of income, unexpected repairs, etc.). They can pay up to $400 on their utility bill once a year. During 2018, CAN was able to help 177 families by paying $53,326 on their utility bills. CHARITABLE TAX CREDIT Sun City CAN is approved for the Arizona “Credit for Contributions to Qualifying Organizations” tax credit. This is a dollar for dollar tax credit that is available to donors. Single persons can donate up to $400 and married couples up to $800 and then subtract the donated amount from their Arizona state income tax liability. It sounds too good to be true, but it is true! You can help the organization by donating money to them instead to paying it to the state of Arizona. New this year, the Arizona Department of Revenue has assigned a five (5) digit code to identify each Qualifying Charitable Organization. Taxpayers must use the organization’s code when claiming the tax credit on their 2018 Arizona state tax return. Sun City CAN’s five- digit code is 20402. Telephone: 623-933-7530 FAX: 623-933-0394 E-Mail: admin@SunCityCAN.org Office Hours: Monday Through Friday - 8a.m.–Noon CHARITY OF THE MONTH SUN CITY COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE NETWORK Senior Citizen Resources FREEZING YOUR PROPERTY VALUE Requirements: ➤ over 65 years old ➤ must have lived in the house for two years ➤ income less than $36,000 (single); $45,000 (multiple) owners ➤ must apply between January 1st and September 1st ➤ must renew every three years Benefit: ➤ three year freeze on the full cash value of your property. WIDOW/WIDOWERS TAX BREAK Requirements: ➤ must be a current Arizona resident and the deceased spouse must have been an Arizona resident at the time of death ➤ income less than $32,447 if no minor children in the home; do not include social security or Veterans’ Disability Benefit: ➤ exempts $38,940 of Limited Property Value with a corresponding reduction in annual property taxes. ➤ permanent exemption as long as eligibility requirement are met. MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM Requirements: ➤ monthly income less than $1,386 (single); $1,872 (two person) ➤ no restrictions on ownership of a car, house or other resources Benefit: ➤ Free Medicare! You receive Medicare without paying the $100.00+ premium that is automatically deducted from most Social Security checks APS & SW GAS CRISIS ASSISTANCE Requirements: ➤ monthly income less than $2,010 (single) and $2,706 (two person) ➤ have an acceptable crisis reason that is documented (loss of income, medical expenses, unexpected repairs, etc.). Benefit: ➤ up to $400 payment on your utility bill once during a 12-month period UTILITY BILL DISCOUNTS Requirements: ➤ over 65 years of age ➤ full time Arizona resident ➤ less than $1,507 per month (single); $2,030 for (two person) Benefit: ➤ discount on your bills from Arizona Public Service, Southwest Gas and EPCOR Water FIRE DEPARTMENT LOCK BOXES Requirements: ➤ full time Sun City resident ➤ monthly income less than $2,024 (single); $2,744 (two person) ➤ savings and investments less than $13,300 Benefit: ➤ installation of a Fire Department lock box at no charge. Normal cost is $65. ARIZONA PROPERTY TAX CREDIT Requirements: ➤ 65 years old or receiving SSI (not social security disability) ➤ available to both owners and renters ➤ Arizona resident for the entire year ➤ maximum annual income is $3,751 (single); $5,501 (multi person) household. [do not include social security, railroad retirement, veterans’ disability, welfare, etc.] ➤ must file application by April 15th Benefit: ➤ a cash refund on your property taxes of up to $502 per year FREE DIAL-A-RIDE TICKETS Requirements: ➤ full time Sun City resident ➤ over 65 years old or disabled ➤ monthly income less than $2,024 (single) or $2,744 (two person) household Benefit: ➤ $50 worth of free Dial-a-Ride tickets four times each year CONDO WATER REBATE PROGRAM Requirements: ➤ condo resident in either Sun City or Youngtown ➤ monthly income less than $1,518 (single); $2,058 (two person) household Benefit: ➤ a check for $24.06 twice each year FOOD STAMPS (NOW CALLED SNAP) Requirements: ➤ over 60 years old or disabled ➤ monthly income less than $1,659 (single); $2,233 (two person) ➤ less than $3,250 in savings, but you can own a car and house Benefit: ➤ participants receive a plastic card that works like a debit card If you think you are eligible for any of these benefits, call Sun City CAN at 623-933-7530 and make an appointment to meet with a counselor. EFFECTIVE MARCH 15, 2018s. Requirements subject to change periodically. Includes Residents of the Sun Cities, Youngtown, El Mirage, Surprise, Peoria...... INCREASED EXCISE TAX CREDIT Requirements: ➤ resident of Arizona ➤ adjusted gross income of less than $12,500 (single); $25,000 (two person) ➤ in most cases, this does not include Social Security Benefit: ➤ $25 check for an individual or $50 check for a couple each year FREE RESPITE CARE Requirements: ➤ full time Sun City resident ➤ primary caregiver of an elderly or ill patient ➤ patient’s monthly income less than $2,024 (single) or $2,744 (two person) household ➤ less than $13,300 in savings Benefit: ➤ three days of respite care for the patient at Sun Valley Lodge Sun City CAN! 623-933-7530 | 10195 W. Coggins Drive | Sun City,AZ 85351 SOME OF THEIR SERVICES INCLUDE: Benefits Assistance This is one of their most popular and valuable programs. Volunteer counselors assist low-income residents apply for federal, state and local programs. This includes utility discounts, prescription drugs, food stamps, Medicare help, Social Security assistance, and more. They assist over 400 people each year. Free Legal Consultations Their pro-bono attorney offers free one-half hour legal consultations by appointment. Maricopa County Tax Assessor A full-time representative from the Maricopa County Assessor’s office assists residents with property tax matters such as the widows/widowers exemption, freezing the assessed value of homes, etc. Sun City CAN offers free income tax preparation among many other things!