The Berlin Senior Center
33 Colonial Drive
Berlin, CT 06037
Is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:00PM.
Our telephone number is 828-7006.
All Berlin residents, age 60 and older, are welcome to join our center at no cost.
ASSISTANCE WITH FORMS
Senior citizens who are having a difficult time completing forms required by the State and Federal programs or insurance providers can receive help from a staff member at the Berlin Senior Center by appointment only, please no walk ins.
CHOICES PROGRAM
There are two trained "CHOICES" counselor available at the center. This program, sponsored by the State of Connecticut and the North Central Area Agency on Aging, provides information regarding Medicare choices (traditional fee-for-services vs. managed care options). By appointment only, please no walk ins.
"COFFEE HOUR"
The Senior Center has an informal "coffee hour" available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM! Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and/or tea for only 25 cent per cup! So drop by and chat with "old friends" and make new ones! Complimentary pastry is also available! ENJOY A "FREE" CUP OF COFFEE ON FRIDAYS FROM 9:00 AM TO 11:00 AM
COMPUTER AVAILABLE
Thanks to The Friends of Berlin Public Health Nursing Services for a donation of a computer and a printer to our senior center.
Seniors can now stop in and use this equipment "free of charge". We are also on the "net" and seniors can "surf the net" and "email" family and friends. Call us at 828-7006 to schedule your "surfing" time.
CONGREGATE MEALS
"WELCOME TO" CW RESOURCES
Central Connecticut Elderly Nutrition Program
CW Resources of New Britain is the "new" catering service for the Central Connecticut Elderly Nutrition Program and they will be providing congregate meals here at the senior center. Lunch will be served Monday thru Friday at 12 Noon. A donation of $2.50 is requested. To order a meal, just sign up in the all purpose room at the senior center or call them at 670-8546 between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. You must order your meal at least 24 hours in advance. The monthly lunch menus are available at the Senior Center on the back counter in the all purpose room. Any questions, call CW Resources. Homebound meals will also be provided by CW Resources. For more information about this program, please call them (in New Britain) at 229-7700.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Seniors meeting the income requirements for the State's energy assistance programs may apply at the Berlin Senior Center during the heating season during designated times. Appointments are a must. Eligilble applicants will receive direct payments to their heating vendor to help reduce the the burden of heating their homes through the winter.
The Berlin Senior Center will be taking "early" energy assistance applications only for those seniors who heat with a deliverable fuel (oil or propane or kerosene). Note- The Energy Assistance Program begins on November 1st - so if you need to order fuel before that date-it will be your responsibility to pay the vendor.
Gas and Electric Customers-we will be taking your energy assistance applications starting in November. You may call after November 1st to schedule your appointment.
Appointments are a must and the following documentation is needed:
1. Copy of your latest Social Security check for 2009 or provide your latest bank statement showing direct deposit of your 2009 check. Must be current or not more than one month old.
2. Copy of your latest pension check (2009) or bank statement showing direct deposit. Must be current or not more than one month old.
3. ASSETS. Proof of each account is required. Must show your current value (not interest earned) of all "liquid" accounts, such as bank books, check books, CD's, money markets, IRA's, stocks, bonds, etc. Your "liquid" assets cannot exceed $10,000 per household for (homeowners) or $7,000 per household for (renters).
4. Copy of your latest electric and gas bill. Name and address of applicant must be on bill.
5. Birth certificate or driver's license.
6. Social Security Number for each member of the household.
7. Name, address and telephone number of landlord. Rent receipt is required for people whose heat is included in their rent.
8. Name and address of your oil vender or other vender of deliverable fuel (coal, propane, etc). Name of applicant must appear on the bill. Check with your vendor and MAKE SURE that they are participating in the energy assistance program this heating season.
9. Income for the entire household. If employed, applicant and household members must provide their last four consecutive paystubs.
10. Income guidelines are as follows:
Single person - Income cannot exceed (amt to be announced in October)
Married Couple - Income cannot exceed (amt to be announced in October)
Call Tina or Jane at 828-7006 to schedule an appointment or for more information about the energy assistance program.
LIBRARY
Did you know that we have a library right here at the Berlin Senior Center. We have large print books, and paper backs available. Stop in and check out our selection. You may take out two (2) books at a time (on the honor system) and keep them as long as you want, then return them back to our library. The Library is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30AM to 4:00 PM.
MUNICIPAL AGENT FOR THE ELDERLY
Each Connecticut town has an officially appointed town representative called a Municipal Agent for the Elderly (MA). The MA is responsible for providing information and assistance with services and benefits for the elderly in the community. Antoinette Pajor is Berlin's Municipal Agent and can be reached at Berlin Social Services, (860)828-7007.
PARKING REMINDER
Visitors of the Berlin Senior Center are asked to park only in the upper parking lot. Handicapped spaces are available in the lower lot for those with a handicapped permit. Violators parking in spaces reserved for residents of Percival Heights will be subject to be towed at their own expense. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
RENTERS REBATE PROGRAM
Renter Rebate applications will be taken at the Berlin Senior Center starting in June 2009. Renters must apply for Tax Relief benefits on an annual basis. Appointments are a must. Residents who rent and are 65 or older (by 12/31/2008) or are totally disabled, must be under the income limits to qualify for this program.
Income Limit is $30,500 per year for a single person
Income Limit is $37,300 per year for a married couple
Applicants must bring documented proof of income, rent and utility payments for the calendar year 2008. Residents who qualify will receive a financial rebate from the State of Connecticut. Call Tina at the senior center at 828-7006 after June 2, 2008 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Application deadline is September 15, 2009.
GET FREE HELP WITH YOUR TAX RETURN
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (Tax-Aide) is a free program that provides Federal and Connecticut Income Tax Preparation Assistance for low and middle income taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 years and older.
To schedule an appointment with a certified Tax-Aide Counselor call the Berlin Senior Center at 828-7006. Tax-Aide will be available here at the Berlin Senior Center. APPOINTMENTS ARE A MUST.
At the tax counseling session, you are requested to bring with you the following documentation:
1) Copy of 2009 Federal and Connecticut Income Tax Forms.
2) Social Security number and personal identification (driver's license).
3) If married, BOTH husband and wife must be present.
4) All 2009 income report forms (SSA-1099-Social Security and/or RRB-1099-R us Railroad forms). All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, 1099-B, 1099-S, 1099-MISC). W-2 wage and tax statement forms. W-2G certain gambling winnings form and the original cost of any assets sold during 2009.
PLEASE NOTE - Even though you might be exempt from filing because your taxable income is below the amount that required the submission of a tax return, Tax-Aide Counselors will assist you in completing an informational return that you can use for other programs.
This program is offered in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service by the AARP Foundation, an affiliated 501@ (3) nonpartisan charitable organization.
PLEASE STOP IN AND CHECK US OUT SOMETIME.......
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