|
Answers from 211's Senior Assistance Line
|
|
Dear SAL,
My mother, who is 90, moved in with me last year. I am in my late 60s and retired. Although our household budget is rather tight now, I'm glad to be in a position to have her live with me, and things are working out well for both of us. Her only income is a modest Social Security benefit. Is it possible to claim her as a dependent on my taxes, since I am providing a good amount of her support through housing, food costs, transportation and incidental expenses?
-Doting Daughter
Dear DD,
Yes, it is possible to claim a parent as a deduction, even if the parent doesn't live with you.
IRS Publication 501 covers this subject and you can find a clearly written summary of the applicable tax regulations on the
AARP website. In order to claim your mother as a dependent on your taxes, certain criteria must be met, including: your loved one's gross income must be less than $3,950 (Social Security is excluded), and you must be providing over half of their financial support for housing, food, transportation, medical, etc. Since your mother lives with you, calculate a reasonable percentage of your mortgage, utilities, and other household costs to determine your level of support.
And, here's more good news: you don't have to navigate the tax code maze by yourself. AARP offers free tax help from volunteers for people of any age with low and moderate incomes. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to the older population. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they are up-to-date with U.S. tax code revisions. There are over 5,000 tax assistance sites nationwide. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.
This tax season, Nevada County residents seeking tax assistance can call 211 to make an appointment with an AARP tax volunteer for free tax assistance and preparation services. Just pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about AARP Foundation's work in program areas of housing solutions, ending hunger, financial capability, and employment for people over 50, go to their
website.
|
Ask SAL is a monthly column that gives our readers a chance to ask us questions about resources for seniors in Nevada County. If you have a question for SAL, email us at alicej@ns-pa.org.
The Senior Assistance Line is funded by:
|
|
 |
|
|
Spotlight: Sierra Nevada Children's Services
|
|
SNCS Shows Parents & Caregivers How to Play
|
Kids don't come with an instruction manual (which any new parent can tell you). But when it comes to the subject of play, most of us feel pretty sure we know what to do. Right?
Well, maybe not.
It turns out that playtime can be more than just a chance for kids to blow off steam (and for parents to catch a breath). In fact, playing with your kids is a great time to help them develop valuable social skills, language skills, motor skills and more. And we have a great resource in our community to help parents harness these opportunities for their children's growth.
Sierra Nevada Children's Services (SNCS) offers two hands-on weekly playgroups designed for children one to three years old and their parents or grandparents. The playgroups guide parents and caregivers on the value of interactive play, and include activities focused on social development and skills, language, fine and gross motor skills, creative expression, nutrition, and the encouragement of curiosity and wonder.
The GPOPS Playgroup welcomes grandparents, friends, and neighbors with preschoolers each Tuesday from 10:30 am to 12 pm. This is a great way to make new friends each week inside SNCS' new Learning Center. Spaces are currently available!
Also, SNCS offers the Tots and Twos Playgroup with parents and preschoolers meeting each Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. There is currently a waiting list for this playgroup.
For more information about these two great playgroups or to register, contact SNCS at 530-272-8866. Also, visit SNCS on
Facebook to check out pictures and videos of the playgroups in action!
Sierra Nevada Children's Services was established in 1978. SNCS is a private, community-based non-profit child care resource and referral agency that serves families, early care and educational professionals, and the community.
SNCS is a valuable resource to families choosing child care in Nevada and Sierra counties. Families are offered child care referrals, child development information, education on quality child care, parenting classes, and support groups. SNCS also administers various financial assistance programs to help income-eligible families pay for a part or all of their child care costs. SNCS not only provides services to families looking for quality child care options, but also offers professional development training for child care providers.
In January 2015, SNCS opened The Learning Center (TLC) where they offer a beautiful Play Space and Lending Library containing toys, books, games, curriculum, CDs and videos. The Play Space is open for drop-ins during regular business hours, except during playgroup sessions or occasional meetings.
The Grass Valley office of Sierra Nevada Children's Services is located at 420 Sierra College Drive, Suite 100, and their phone number is 530-272-8866. SNCS is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Fridays. More information can be found on the SNCS
website.
Details:
What: GPOPS Playgroup
When: Tuesdays, 10:30 am to 12 pm
Where: Sierra Nevada Children's Services
420 Sierra College Drive, Suite 100
Grass Valley, CA 95945
------------------------------------------------------
What: Tots and Twos Playgroup
When: Thursdays, 10:00 am to 11:30 am
There is currently a waiting list for this playgroup
Where: Sierra Nevada Children's Services
420 Sierra College Drive, Suite 100
Grass Valley, CA 95945
|
211 Receives Mobility Management Grant
|
|
New Service Provides Information & Trip Planning
|
|
Caltrans has awarded 211 Nevada County a $70,000 grant to educate and assist Nevada County residents in accessing transportation services in our community.
Transportation is essential for independence. Whether by car, bus, bike, or on foot, Nevada County residents rely on transportation to get to school, work, medical appointments, and community events--all activities that contribute to a healthy, happy life. For many people in Nevada County--including many seniors, people with disabilities, people with low income, or people without a driver's license or car-- a lack of transportation has real financial and personal consequences.
The goal of 211's new program is to assist community members in using existing transportation resources to the fullest extent. We will do this in two ways. First, 211 will be an information hub to collect and make transportation information available to the public. This will include information on and links to a wide variety of transportation options, including bus routes and schedules, biking trails, delivery services, ride-sharing, transportation expense assistance, transportation-related apps, and more. All of this information will be collected and regularly updated in our
Transportation Resources Guide.
Second, 211 will provide one-on-one trip planning for those who need help identifying, assessing, and connecting to the transportation modes that best meet their needs. With just a phone call, anyone in Nevada County can speak to a live person who will walk her through her transportation options and give her a step-by-step guide to get from Point A to Point B.
The new program begins January 1st. Stay tuned for more information!
We need your help
This program needs a snappy name.
Email us if you have a great idea!
|
|
Free Holiday Activities for the Family
|
|
No-Cost Ways to Enjoy the Holidays in Nevada County
|
In this lively community, holiday fun doesn't have to cost a lot. Get into the holiday spirit with these free community events:
Cornish Christmas
Mill and West Main Streets are closed to motorized traffic and filled with the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Christmas; carolers, jugglers, musicians, the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers and of course, Santa Claus. Handmade arts and craft from artists throughout California are displayed on historic downtown Grass Valley's streets. Delicious food and drink can be purchased from a number of Grass Valley restaurants and specialty food vendors.
When: Fridays, December 11 & 18, from 6:00-9:00 pm
Where: Downtown Grass Valley
Cost: Free
Santa Fly-In
Bring your kids to the Truckee Tahoe Airport to watch Santa fly-in on a special plane. Enjoy hot chocolate and yummy holiday treats. Visit with Santa and receive special gifts for the kids.
When: Saturday, December 12, 10-11 am
Where:
Truckee Tahoe Airport
Airport Road
Truckee, CA 96161
Cost: Free
Resident Conductor Ryan Murray leads the MIM Chorus and Festival Orchestra in the season's most beloved carols and songs. This concert is scheduled to be about 45 minutes in length and geared for children. They'll hear some great holiday music and get a chance to meet Santa!
When: Saturday, December 12, 11:00 am
Where:
Amaral Center
Nevada County Fairgrounds
11228 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949
Cost: Free
Izzi Tooinsky
"Internationally loved, locally tolerated" juggler
and storyteller Izzi Tooinsky will perform at the
Nevada County Jewish Community Center's Channukah party. There will also be games, crafts, latkes, singing, menorah lighting, and a raffle.
When: Sunday, December 13, 2-5 pm
Where: Nevada County Jewish Community Center
506 Walsh Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Cost: Free
This annual family tradition features holiday activities for all ages: carriage rides, live entertainment, savory yuletide treats and libations, and of course, Father Christmas!
When: Sundays, December 13 & 20, from 1:30-6 pm
Wednesdays, December 16 & 23, from 5-9 pm
Where: Downtown Nevada City
Cost: Free
Holiday Lights in the Park
Free, fun, drive-through event capturing the magic of holiday light displays in one location! Enjoy the lights of the holidays in a wintery, December sky. Find lots of illuminated decoration displays made by your friends, neighbors, and local businesses, all in one location.
When: Friday, Dec 18 & Saturday, Dec 19, 6-10 pm
Where: Western Gateway Park
18560 Penn Valley Drive
Penn Valley, CA 95946
Cost: Free
|
|
|
