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Community Resources: The Northwestern District Attorney If you or someone you know in Hampshire or Franklin County has a consumer problem or question, please contact The Northwestern District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit. Phone: (413)774-3186 Greenfield or (413)586-9225 Northampton Hampshire Community Action Commission First Call for Help 557 Easthampton Road, Northampton Phone: (413) 582-4237 or (800) 339-7779 Hampshire County Senior Volunteer Program Highland Valley Elder Services Highland Valley Elder Services is a private, not-for-profit corporation that promotes "Quality Long Living" for elders in twenty-four communities in Hampshire and western Hamden counties of western Massachusetts. Stavros Center for Independant Living Stavros provides services to over 6,000 consumers in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties--and over 1/3 of them are elders. They provide advocacy, skills training and run the largest PCA program in the state. They assist with housing and discrimination issues and help people transition from nursing homes back to their communities, through several various programs. The local number is 413-256-0473 Commission on Disabilities The Commission on Disabilites meets once a month to investigate the needs of people with disabilities in our community and to advocate for their full integration into the life of the city. State Resources: Elder Hotline The Attorney General's Office has a statewide, toll-free telephone hotline to assist individuals on a wide range of elder issues. The number to call is: 1-888-AG-ELDER (1-888-243-5337) TTY: (617) 727-0434 Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts (REAM) Pension Assistance Project The New England Pension Assistance Project provides assistance to individuals having trouble understanding or obtaining their pension benefits. 800ageinfo This website is designed to assist consumers and caregivers as well as professionals seeking information and resources on eldercare services. The site lists information on approximately 40,000 services and programs in Massachusetts for elders. Federal Resources: Low Income Subsidy On-line Qualifier Tool The Social Security Administration released an on-line qualifier tool to help determine whether someone is eligible for the Low Income Subsidy that helps pay some Medicare prescription drug costs. Administration on Aging This site is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of topics, programs and services related to aging. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administer the Medicare program and work in partnership with the states to administer Medicaid. Elder Care Locator The Eldercare Locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. Social Security Administration Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Firstgov FirstGov is the official web portal for the U.S. government. It is a free-access website designed to give you a centralized place to find information from U.S. local, state and federal government agency websites. Of particular interest on the site is the section of Consumer Protection and Safety at http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/Consumer_Safety.shtml Helpful Links: SHINE SeniorNet SeniorNet is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of computer-using adults, age 50 and older. SeniorNet's mission is to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom. AARP AARP, P.O. Box 93156, Long Beach, CA 90809 1-888-OUR-AARP Retirement Living Information Center Massachusetts Senior Games Athletic Competition for Men and Women Age 50 and Over Seniors-Site Elderhostel Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing extraordinary learning adventures for people 55 and over. National Council on the Aging The National Council on the Aging is a national network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons and increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations. Massachusetts Senior Action Council Local Chapter: P.O. Box 1277, Holyoke, MA 01041-1227 413/533-9235 Elder Law Answers Online Magazines AARP The Magazine Senior Journal.com Social Security Information The Social Security website provides publications that give an overview of the Social Security program as well as information on disability, retirement and survivors benefits. Understanding Social Secuity Benefits Update The Complete list of publications available online Internal Revenue Service On the IRS website, you can access forms and publications to assist in preparing your taxes for the current year or in planning for next year. Older Americans' Tax Guide - Publication 554 Tax Forms and Publications |