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Dear Neighbor, Retirement may be both the most enjoyable and challenging period of a person’s life. After years of working and caring for families, many older adults are able to travel, enjoy the rich culture and arts that the City has to offer or just simply relax. But retirement may present financial and care challenges that even those of us who are solidly middle-age must deal with as we assist our elderly parents, neighbors or friends. While both the State and City governments have developed useful resources and benefits for older New Yorkers, many people may be unaware of them. It is my hope that some of the information in this Neighborhood Update will be helpful to you in meeting your own challenges or those of others, so that these special years may be enjoyed to their fullest.
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Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick met with students from JPAC’s Institute for Senior Action to discuss effective lobbying and advocacy techniques. |
New MetroCard ID Bill |
In order to qualify for a reduced-fare MetroCard, applicants must prove their identity, age and other background information to the satisfaction of local government. Therefore, it makes sense to consider government-issued MetroCards as valid documents for identification as well. It will save these citizens the time and expense of having to acquire a Non-Driver License in addition to the MetroCard. This bill has passed the Assembly but so far has not been acted upon in the State Senate. I will continue working to see that this important legislation passes both houses and is made into law. |
Rent Assistance Available to More Seniors |
Prior to this most recent increase, the eligibility levels for SCRIE had not been raised in eight years. This means that each year, seniors who received cost-of-living increases in their pensions and Social Security benefits risked losing their eligibility. By increasing SCRIE’s eligibility limit to $24,000, participating seniors can continue saving money. This most recent change will help seniors living on fixed incomes to stay in their homes and communities. To be eligible for SCRIE, applicants must be over 62 years of age, a head of household living in a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment and must spend at least one-third of their income on rent. For more information or to apply for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, call the Department for the Aging at (212) 442-1000 or visit their website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dfta/html/16benefits.html. |
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Domestic Partnership Legislation |
Specifically, the legislation would grant equal access to group health and accident policies for some workers so that registered domestic partners and other immediate family members are eligible for health coverage and continue to receive these benefits even in the event of the worker’s death. In addition, under this law the domestic partner would be authorized to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient in certain circumstances, and their partner and their partner’s children would be allowed to visit them in a health facility. People would also be granted the right to designate a domestic partner and the partner’s children as survivors and would make their partner eligible to collect death benefits. I will continue to work hard to get this important legislation passed so that the security that follows from full access to health coverage and other important benefits is not denied to anyone based on their family structure. |
Property Tax Relief for Homeowners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MetroCard Bus Schedule | ||||||||
Through the MTA’s Service Center-on-Wheels program, specially-equipped MetroCard buses park at set locations throughout the city and offer an array of services to customers. All customers may purchase and/or refill MetroCards, report a lost or stolen card, or may be able to have a damaged MetroCard replaced on-site. In addition, residents over the age of 65 and disabled customers may apply for a reduced-fare MetroCard at these locations. Please note that a senior applying for a reduced-fare MetroCard will need to bring at least 2 of the following types of identification to the MetroCard bus: Medicare Card, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Driver License, or Non-Driver License. A notary public and photographer are available on MetroCard buses so that you may complete your application on-site, free of charge. Disabled passengers can get an application on-site, which they must then have completed by their physician, acknowledging their disability. For your convenience, the scheduled December MetroCard bus locations in my district are:
* Since this schedule is subject to change, I suggest that you call the MTA’s MetroCard Customer Service line at (212) 638-7622 to confirm scheduled stops. You may also call this number for additional questions about MetroCards sales or busses or for future MetroCard bus schedules. |
Holiday Fun for the Young and Old |
For more holiday train fun, visit the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and see the 12th Annual Holiday Train Show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservancy. From November 21st to January 11th, the train show will exhibit more than 100 replicas of historic New York buildings, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. The most unique feature of the show is that all of the landscapes are made from real plants, flowers, and other natural materials. Admission for this exhibit is $13 for adults, $11 for senior citizens, and $5 for children ages 2–12. To learn more about this holiday display, call (718) 817-8700. |
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