March - April 2008 Issue of the Alert

• Click Here for Information about local events for the National Consumer Protection Week, March 2 - 8
• Good News for Social Security Recipients: New Ohio Legislation Removes Social Security Offset Against Unemployment Benefits
• Ask Lots of Questions; Make Sure You Get the Right Answers Before You Sign Any Home Improvement Contracts
• Spring Brings out Fly-by-Night Lenders- Here's How to Avoid Doing Business with Them
• Beware of Refund Anticipation Loans Offered by Tax Preparers
• Where To Call to Locate Free Help with Tax Returns

January - February 2008 Issue of the Alert

• Betty Klaric
• Time to Take Inventory: Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills
• Avoiding Probate
• Living Will
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
• General Durable Power of Attorney
• Benefits Check-Up
• Volunteer Lawyers Program - Brief Advice and Referral Clinics

November - December 2007 Issue of the Alert

• To Shred or Keep? How to Decide
• New Guidelines Raise Income Limits for HEAP
• Ashtabula County Council on Aging Works To Meet Needs of Growing Senior Population
• Ohio Agency Handles Cemetery Complaints
• Do Not Lose Your Prescription Drug Plan Coverage
• Facing Foreclosure? Some Steps to Consider
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

September - October 2007 Issue of the Alert

• State Ends Income Test for Homestead Exemption; Oct. 1 is Deadline for Seniors to Apply for Tax Cut
• Change that Address when You Move
• Lake County Seniors May Use Vial of Life To Alert EMS to Life-Saving Information
• Network of Care Tells Computer Savvy Seniors About Services and Lets Them Record Own Data
• Make Sure You Are Getting Paid Minimum Wage
• It’s Time to Review Medicare Prescription Plan
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

July - August 2007 Issue of the Alert

• Medical Costs Burden Seniors; These Programs May Help
• Air Conditioners May Be Available for Seniors
• What to Do If Your Medical Condition Requires You to Have Utility Service
• Don’t Get Nailed by Door-to-Door Offers
• Lorain Office on Aging Programs Help Seniors With Transport, Housekeeping and Benefits
• Crooks Target Elderly More Than Younger Persons
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

May - June 2007 Issue of the Alert

• Cash? Check? Credit Card? Debit Card? How Should You Pay?
• Cleveland Seniors Can Get Help from City Programs
• You May Be or May Not Be Responsible for Doctor Bills
• Parma Couples Honored
• May is Older Americans Month
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

March - April 2007 Issue of the Alert

• If You Had a Telephone, You Can Get a Tax Refund
• DSAS Aids Some 30,000 Cuyahoga Seniors
• Still Time to Apply for Home Heating Help
• "Rapid Refund" Costs Taxpayers Too Much
• Expired Savings Bonds Stop Earning Interest
• Use Those Gift Cards Before They Expire
• Part D Penalty Waived for Low-Income Seniors; Income Limits for Subsidy Are Raised
• Keep Your Home Safe While Keeping It Warm
• Brief Advice Clinics

January - February 2007 Issue of the Alert

• WRAAA Helps Seniors Maintain Health and Independence
• Stop pesky telephone calls
• Here's How to Get a Break on Real Estate Taxes
• Free Help Can Chase Winter Chills from House
• Payday Loans Are “Debt Traps” for Most Borrowers
• Find out about Resources Available to Seniors
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

November - December 2006 Issue of the Alert

• It's "Food Cash-Out" Instead of "Food Stamps" for Seniors
• Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Up for 2007
• Benefit Money Safe, Co-Signing Causes Problems
• Part D Drug Insurance Renewal
• Too Little Help for Senior with Debt
• Energy Help Available
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

September - October 2006 Issue of the Alert

• Credit Cards as Safety Net Spell Trouble for Seniors
• Scams Cost Victims Money
• Financial Assistance for Senior Caregivers
• Home Heating Bill Help
• Make Sure You Hire a Good Contractor
• Medicaid Recipients Need Documents
• Volunteer Attorney Clinics

July-August 2006 Issue of the Alert

• Avoid Probate
• Transfer of Death Deeds
• Wills
• Livings Wills
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
• General Durable Power of Attorney
• Need Air Conditioning

May-June 2006 Issue of the Alert

• More Information About Medicare Drug Program: Delayed Enrollment Will Cost $2.24 Monthly Penalty
• Dig out Gift Cards
• Still Time to Get Heating Bill Help
• Law Protects Patients in Most Nursing Homes

March-April 2006 Issue of the Alert

January-February 2006 Issue of the Alert

• Making Minimum Payments on Debt Adds Up to Very High Costs for You
• What to Save and What You Can Put in the Shredder
• Three Ways to Transfer Car Title when Owner Dies
• You Can Still Get Help to Buy Prescription Drug Insurance
• Winter Heating Bill Assistance
• Legal Aid Services for Seniors

November-December 2005 Issue of the Alert

• Income Limits Lifted to Get Heating Bill Help
• SS and SSI Benefits up 4.1%; but Medicare and New Drug Plan Will Cost Seniors More
• Seniors Can Get Help with Prescription Drup Plan
• New Program Will Help Victims of Predatory Lending
• Higher Heating Costs Spur Increased Benefit
• Home Energy Assistance Application

September-October 2005 Issue of the Alert

• New Bankruptcy Law Changes Rules
• Find Out Whether You May Be Eligible for Benefits
• Apply Now for Help to Pay Heating Bills
• Stop Those Credit Card Offers
• Avoid Payday Loans and Learn How to Manage Money

July-August 2005 Issue of the Alert

• New Medicare Prescription Drug Law Will Cost Some Low-Income Seniors More for Their Medicines
• Legal Aid Services for Seniors

May-June 2005 Issue of the Alert

• Mark Older Americans Month at Free Legal Clinic and at Cleveland Department of Aging Senior Day
• Buying Life Insurance Is Anything but Simple But You Can Get Help from Ohio’s Insurance Dept.
• Myths Keep Low-Income Seniors from Getting Food Stamps
• Hillary Clinton to Speak at Legal Aid’s 100th Anniversary Dinner

March-April 2005 Issue of The Alert

• Here is How to Get Free Credit Reports and Why You Need Them
• Ask Lots of Questions; Make Sure You Get the Right Answers Before You Sign Any Home Improvements Contracts
• You May Be Able to Save Money on Your Phone Bill
• Legal Aid Services for Seniors
• Some Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft
• Annual Credit Report Request Form

January-February 2005 Issue of The Alert

• Use Those Christmas Gift Cards Before They Lose Value
• January is a Good Time to Review Will, Living Will, and Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Financial Matters
• Living Will
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
• General Durable Power of Attorney
• Get Free Help to File Income Tax Return and Avoid Paying to Borrow Your Own Tax Refund Money

November-December 2004 Issue of The Alert

• "Check 21" May Cause More Bounced Checks
• Join Volunteer Visitors at Nursing Homes
• Get New Resource Guide
• Social Security Goes Up, But So Do Medicare Premiums -- If Your Income Is Low, You May Get Help Paying For Them
• Here's Help for Low Income Seniors to Apply for Discount Drug Cards -- December Is The Deadline To Get Up To $600 In Free Prescriptions

September-October 2004 Issue of The Alert

• Ohioan Will Have to Wait Until March 1 To Get Free Credit Reports Under New Law
• Get Drug Card Now
• Law Makes It Easier for Grandparent Caregivers To Register Grandchildren in School
• Energy Assistance Available to Seniors

July-August 2004 Issue of The Alert

• Owe Back Gas Bills? Make Them Disappear
• Contact Legal Aid by Phone
• Live-Alone Cleveland Seniors Can Register To Get “Cleveland Cares” Calls to Check on Them
• Old Savings Bonds Stop Earning Interest
• Law Protects You from Billing Errors on Credit Card

May-June 2004 Issue of The Alert

• Very Few Seniors Understand Drug Plan
• More About Medicare and Drug Coverage
• Happy Seniors Month

March-April 2004 Issue of The Alert

• It Is Never Too Late to Start Saving Money
• Mortgaging Home to Pay for Repairs May Be Risky
• OCC Says Watch Those Bills for Utilities Services

January-February 2004 Issue of The Alert

• You Will Be Able to Get Free Credit Reports to Check on Fraud
• We Are Changing Our Senior Helpline Hours
• If You Think Your Identify Has Been Stolen, Here’s What to Do Now
• How to Contact Credit Bureaus Now
• Don’t Pay Big Bucks to Borrow Your Own Tax Refund
• Remember to Get Help with Winter Heating Bills

November-December 2003 Issue of The Alert

• Here’s Some Advice on Deciding Which Financial Records to Keep
• Get More Social Security; But Pay More Medicare
• Golden Buckeye Drug Discount Cards Finally Reaching Seniors
• How One Credit Counselor Measures Up to Guidelines
• You Can Get Help with Pensions; Utility Shutoffs; Medicare Issues; Patient Abuse and Phone Bills

September-October 2003 Issue of The Alert

• Choose Credit Counselors With Care
• Some Who Get PDGC Pensions or TAA Benefits May Get Up to 65% of Health Insurance Premium Paid
• You Won A Prize? Don't Believe It
• Assistance Programs Keep Seniors Warm for Winter

July-August 2003 Issue of The Alert

• To Avoid Probate? Or Not to Avoid Probate?
• We Have Moved Temporarily
• Last Will and Testament
• Do You Need A Will?
• Living Trusts
• Living Wills
• Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care
• What If You Do Nothing?
• General Durable Powers of Attorney
• Ill Seniors May Qualify for Air Conditioners
• You Can Stop Those Pesky Telemarketer Phone Calls
• Seniors Can Connect with Computer Links

May-June 2003 Issue of The Alert

• Seniors Can Learn if They Are Missing Out On Benefits They Could Get
• Senior Day on May 22
• Passport Program is NOT Closed
• Ohio Leads Way to Recycle Prescription Drugs Left Unopened after the Drug User Dies
• Forum on Black Seniors
• Guard Your ID from Identity Thefts

March-April 2003 Issue of The Alert

• Buy Now, Pay Later May Not Be the Best Deal
• Golden Buckeye Cards Delayed
• "Bounce Protection" For Checks Adds up to "High Cost Credit"
• Spring Sprouts Shady Contractors
• Homestead Tax Lost for a Time
• Save Money on Phone Bills
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

January-February  2003 Issue of The  Alert

• Seniors Will Get New Golden Buckeye Cards
• Metro Life Policy?
• Knowing Rules Can Help Save Money When You Are Shopping for Funeral Home
• AARP Offers Tax Help for Seniors
• Apply Now for Homestead Tax Exemption
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

November-December  2002 Issue of The Alert

• Do You Need a Will? Living Will? Power of Attorney? Trust?
• Copy Your Wallets Contents
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

September-October  2002 Issue of The Alert

• Seniors Need to Be Wary abut Credit Card Offers
• It's Time to Apply for Heating Bill Help
• If You Get Behind on Debt
• Should You Have a Safety Deposit Box?
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

July-August 2002 Issue of The Alert

• You May Save on Medicare-Related Costs; But Only if You Take the Time to Apply
• Get Health Care Guide
• Low-Income Seniors, Vets Save on Drugs
• Call for Summer Cooling Assistance
• Discrimination in Housing Is Prohibited
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

May-June 2002 Issue of The Alert

• Checks Turn into Electronic Withdrawls
• Make Sure Repair Contract Spells Out Details
• May Is Older Americans Month
• Doctor Can't Bill Patients More Than Medicare Allows
• Check the Web for Senior Services
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

March-April 2002 Issue of The Alert

• Identity Stolen? Here’s What You Can Do
• Ohio Changes Law on Witnesses for Deeds
• Tax Anticipation Loans Can Cost You Too Much .
• There is No Tax Refund for Slavery Reparations
• Don’t Sign Documents as Responsible Party
• When Another Person Enters Nursing Home
• State Has New Guide on Long-Term Care
• Watch for Important Deadlines

January-February 2002 Issue of The Alert

• Ombudsman Can Help with Complaints about Long-Term Care Facilities and Services
• Get Health Care Help
• Apply Now for Tax Reduction for Your Home
• Estate Tax Rules Now Allow Easier Access to Joint Bank Accounts and Safety Deposit Boxes
• Call the Senior Helpline for Legal Assistance

November-December 2001 Issue of The Alert

• Grandparents Who Are Raising Grandchildren May Qualify for Cash and Other Assistance
• You Can Apply Now for Heating Bill Help
• It’s Not Smart to Risk Your Low or No-Cost Loan and Your Home to Consolidate Other Debts
• Anti-Aging Products Promise Much; Deliver Little
• Some Information About Wills and Things

September-October 2001 Issue of The Alert

• International Phone Scams Can Cost Plenty
• Here's a New Number to Call For Legal Help
• Credit Card Insurance? You May Not Need It
• New Law Shines Light on ATM Fees
• Unordered Merchandise is Yours to Keep

July-August 2001 Issue of The Alert

• It May be Time to Update Your Living Will
• Check out Furnace Repairman Before You Sign
• Don't Let Debt Collectors Harass You
• Free PC? Not Really
• Here's a Chance to Get on CMHA Waiting List for Section 8  Vouchers to Help Pay for Rent
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

 May-June 2001 Issue of The Alert

• Help to Keep Your Financial Business Private
• More Ways to "Opt Out"
• Want to be a Saver? Here's How to Get Started
• Military Retirees and Families Get Medical Benefits
• What to Do When Someone Dies
• Check Fine Print When Financing Car with Sub-Prime Lenders
• Money Deducted from Your Social Security Check by Mistake?  Call Senior Helpline
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

March-April 2001 Issue of The Alert

• Transfer on Death Deed Is a Great Idea for Some, But Sometimes It May Not Be the Best Choice
• Don't Forget to Apply for Reduction in Your Real Estate Taxes
• Spring Brings Out Fly-by-Night Lenders -- Here's How to Avoid Doing Business with Them
• Legal Aid Opens Low Income Taxpayer Clinic to Help
• Resolve Disputes with Internal Revenue Service
• You Can Get Help with Home Heating Bills
• Uncle Sam May Be Writing to You
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

January-February 2001 Issue of The Alert

• Avoid Doing Business with Door-to-Door Contractors and Predatory Lenders
• Medicaid Terminated?
• Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance to Save Dollars
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

November-December 2000 Issue of The Alert

• Beware Of Living Trust Offers; They Could Be A Scam
• Seniors Learn E-Mail Basics
• Social Security to Go Up 3.5%
• Need A Birth Certificate? Here's How To Get A Copy
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices

September-October 2000 Issue of The Alert

• Ohio Gets New Kind Of Deed For Home Ownership
• Thieves Steal Identities; Make Life Difficult
• Ohio Estate Tax Is Cut
• Get Aid With Heating Costs
• If Welfare Ended
• Dropped By Your HMO? What Next?
• Senior Citizen Centers and Legal Aid Offices