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Wednesday, August 13, 2014 The Kings Mountain Herald | www.kmherald.com . GIFT TO GASTON COLLEGE - Tim Gause, Region Director, Government and Community Relations for Duke Energy, presents a check for $249,850 fo Gaston College President, Dr. Patricia Skinner and members of the college’s leadership team. The Page 9A VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — Want to volunteer to run a refreshment stand for the Greater Shelby Community The- atre at the American Legion World Series in Shelby? Three volunteers are needed to work the booth for each game and for their work they will receive a GSCT season ticket worth $30. GSCT President Dan Treharne of Kings Mountain said game schedule includes: Aug. 13 concert of Champions at 5 pm; Aug. 14 games at noon, 5 p.m., 8 p.m.! Aug. 16 games at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. 8 p.m.; August 17 games at 1 p.m, 5 p.m., 8 p.m.; Aug. 17 semifinal games at 5 and 8 p.m. and Aug. 19 championship game at 7 p.m. Email Treharne at president@gsct.org if you are willing to work any time slot. GATHERING OF CHURCHES AUG. 25 — People's Baptist Church, 1010 Groves St., will host a gathering of churches August 24 at 4 p.m. Guest speaker will be Dr. Mike Hapheth from Nigeria, Moderator of the Assemblies of God in Nigeria. The community is invited. ‘SORELLA JACK’ TO PERFORM AUG. 22 — Melody Cox, vocalist and guitarist, will return to Owl's Eye Friday, August 22 and will play from 7:00 until 9:00 PM on the patio, weather permitting. Melody and two of her tal- ented friends have formed a trio, "Sorella Jack," and all three will be in Shelby that evening. Their style is similar to that of Crosby, Stills and Nash, and they have been playing at area wineries and small venues for the last several months. Small fruit and cheese trays will be available for purchase; since Owl's Eye is "picnic friendly," you are welcome to grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help Gaston College purchase welding equipment for the Pharr Trade and In- bring snacks dustrial Building on the Dallas Campus. (Pictured front row — L to R) Dr. Silvia Patricia Rios Husain, Vice President for Stu- dent Affairs and Enrollment Management; Gaston College President Patricia Skinner; Tim Gause, Region Director, Duke Energy. (Back row - L to R) Dr. Dennis McElhoe, Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development; Todd Baney, Chief Administrative Officer; Dr. Don Ammons, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Julia Allen, Executive Director, Gaston College Foundation and Cynthia McCrory, Vice President for Finance, Operations and Facilities. or a pick-up supper. THE ENGAGE EXPERIENCE ~ The Engage Expe- rience will be launching Sunday, Sept. 7. at 9:45 a.m. on the campus of First Wesleyan Church, 505 N. Piedmont Ave. Check out our website www.theengageexperience.com The public is invited. ID THEFT: can be life threatening From page 6A diagnoses can be added to your file. Hav- ing incorrect information mixed in with your medical files can put your health at risk, especially in an emergency. Patients who discover that they’ve been victims of medical identity theft must work to get corrected information in their files. What are the warnings signs of medical ID theft? You could be a victim if you: * Get a bill or other paperwork regarding a medical procedure or service that you did- n’t receive. Dear Savvy Senior, I run a community counseling pro- gram for needy families and am frus- trated that so few eligible seniors take advantage of the food stamp program. Can you write a column on this to help educate seniors to this underutilized ben- efit? Reaching Out Dear Reaching, It’s hard to imagine that a government program serving more than 46 million Americans each month is considered se- verely underutilized. But that’s the real- ity of the federal Food Stamp Program when it comes to serving seniors. Nationwide, food stamps (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) reaches around 80 percent of those eligible, but the numbers are much slimmer among the seniors, age 60 and older. Recent statistics indi- cate only 39 percent of eligible seniors receive SNAP benefits. There are a number of reasons for the lack of participation. Some seniors are too embarrassed or too proud to apply. Others think that if they receive SNAP they will be taking food benefits away from others (which they won’t). Some NelopYN4 44 ENIOR » Discover incorrect information in your medical records. » Are notified that you have “maxed out” your medical benefits when you haven’t. * Are contacted by a debt collector about a medical debt you don’t owe. * Discover collection notices or other indi- cations of medical debt activity in your credit report. « Are denied insurance coverage because of incorrect information in your medical think it is too difficult to apply for SNAP, and others don’t even know the program exists. With all that said, here’s a run down of which seniors are eligible for SNAP, what they get and how they can apply. Who’s Eligible? For seniors to get SNAP, their “net in- come” must be under the 100 percent federal poverty guidelines. So, house- holds that have at least one person age 60 and older, or disabled, their net income must currently be less than $958 per month for an individual or $1,293 for a family of two. Households receiving TANF or SSI (except in California) are also eligible. Net income is figured by taking gross income minus allowable deductions like medical expenses that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, and shelter costs (rent or mortgage payments, taxes and utility costs) that exceeds half of the household’s income. In addition to the net income require- ment, a few states also require that a se- nior’s “assets” be below $3,250, not counting the home, retirement or pension plans, income from SSI or TANF, and vehicle (this varies by state). Most states, however, have much higher asset limits records. Fortunately you can take steps to pro- tect yourself against medical identity theft. Start by shredding outdated health insur- ance forms, prescription labels and paper- work, physician statements, and any other old documents that contain your medical information. Be cautious about sharing your medical and insurance information. Identity thieves want this information, and they’ll mas- querade as an insurance company em- ployee, a pharmacist, or even your doctor’s office to try to get it. Don’t respond to pitches that ask you to share your health plan ID number or other confidential information in order to receive “free” medical services or products. When you get medical bills and paper- work, read them carefully to make sure they match the care you really received. Check to see if the name of the doctor and the facility are correct and the dates of service match your records. If you see in- formation that isn’t right, report it to your health plan. To learn more about fighting identity theft and medical identity theft, visit www.ncdoj.gov or call 1-887-5-NO- SCAM (toll-free in NC). By JIM MILLER 0 [0g or they don’t count assets at all when de- termining eligibility. The SNAP pre-screening tool at www.snap-stepl.usda.gov/fns can help seniors, and their family members, figure out if they qualify. To apply, seniors or an authorized rep- resentative will need to fill out a state ap- plication form, which can be done at the local SNAP office or it can be mailed or faxed in, or in many states it can be com- pleted online. If eligible, benefits will be provided on a plastic card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. Depending on the person’s financial situation, the amount of SNAP a benefi- ciary may be eligible for will range be- tween $15 and $189 per month as an individual, or $15 to $347 for a family of two. To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP office — call 800-221-5689 for contact information or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap. Produce Coupons In addition to SNAP, the Senior Farm- ers’ Market Nutrition Program is another underused program that provides coupons that can be exchanged for fresh Food Assistance Programs Can Help Seniors in Need fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community sup- ported agriculture programs. This program is currently available in select counties in 43 states, seven Indian reservations, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to seniors, age 60 and older, with gross monthly household in- comes below 185 percent of the federal poverty line, which is currently below $1,800 for individuals, or $2,426 for a family of two. For more information visit www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp or call 703- 305-2746. Other Programs Seniors that are eligible for food as- sistance may also be eligible for a host of other programs that can help pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, visit benefitscheckup.org, or call the Elder- care Locator at 800-677-1116. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. AT SuMMIT PLACE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN, YOU'LL FEEL ¥ight at home. Life at Summit Place is a chance to enjoy a healthy, happy retirement, where every day brings a new experience. Offering... ® Three meals served restaurant style daily ® Emergency call system o Staff available 24 hours a day ® Assistance with activities of daily living e Social, recreational, educational and spiritual activities Call 704-739-6772 to learn more. SUMMIT PLACE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN F IVESTARKSENIOR LIVING™ ode @r Fiend 1001 Phifer Road * Kings Mountain, NC 28086 www.SummitPlaceOfKingsMountain.com F [VESTARKSENIOR LIVING™ 704-739-6772 LB
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