Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Rob Thomas our county Assesor emailed this to me today and asked that I pass it along. I think it is good that he sees us as a community to care about... Thanks Rob.

Dear Oregon County Tax Assessor:

The Oregon Department of Revenue recommended that I contact county tax assessor offices directly in order to assist in Social Security's efforts to reach Medicare recipients with limited income.

These individuals -- or those that help them -- may be visiting your offices to apply for Oregon's property tax and/or special assessment deferral programs. Likewise, Social Security offers a financial assistance program, Extra Help, for those aged and disabled people with Medicare who meet certain income and asset criteria. This help can cover much of the cost associated with Medicare's new Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) insurance.

In cooperation with Oregon's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) workers, Social Security employees are working to disseminate information about this important FREE assistance. The following two (2) brochures explain Extra Help and the contacts available to assist Oregon residents statewide:

Extra Help: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10124.pdf

Oregon SHIBA contacts: http://www.oregonshiba.org/DCBS/SHIBA/docs/sponsors_broch.pdf

Social Security and Oregon SHIBA would like to provide for your offices a supply of each printed brochure. As seniors and the disabled must apply for tax deferral programs during certain periods, those with Medicare may only enroll in Prescription Drug Coverage during fixed dates. An individual may apply for Extra Help at anytime.

Please consider displaying these important brochures in your county tax offices. Simply reply with the quantity of each that you would like, and provide me a mailing address. Additional program information can be found at the following agency websites:

Social Security: http://www.ssa.gov/medicareoutreach2/index.htm
Oregon SHIBA: http://www.oregonshiba.org/

Thank you for your consideration and assistance in spreading this vital assistance program information. I look forward to your prompt responses!

Alan Edwards
Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security Administration
tel: (503) 760-8402 x 1-262
fax: (503) 761-3761
alan.edwards@ssa.gov

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