Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 9, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 9, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
FINANCIAL HELP FOR GRANDPARENTS 
RAISING GRANDCHILDREN 


Dear Savvy Senior,
Are there any financial assistance programs that can helpgrandparents who are raising their grandkids? I’m raisingtwo grandchildren and could use some help.
Struggling Grandma 

Dear Struggling,
Money is often an issue for the millions of U.S. 
grandparents who are raising their grandchildren today.
To help with the day-to-day expenses, there are a variety
of government programs and tax benefits that can make
a big difference in stretching your budget. Here’s where
to look for help. 


Financial Assistance Programs
For starters, find out whether your family qualifies for
your state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) program, which may include cash assistance,
food stamps and free or low-cost daycare. Or, if your
household income is too high to qualify as a family, ask
about the “child-only grant” for just the grandchild’s
support alone. Also, find out if your state offers any
additional programs like guardianship subsidies, non-
parent grants or kinship care.


Contact your state TANF program (see ACF.HHS.
gov/ofa for contact information), or call your countysocial services office for more information on these 
programs.

You also need to find out if your grandkids are eligiblefor Social Security, including benefits for children, 
survivor benefits or SSI. You can find this out at yourlocal Social Security office, or call 800-772-1213 or visitSSA.gov.

And finally, use BenefitsCheckUp.org, a 
comprehensive website that lets you search for additionalfinancial assistance programs that you may be eligiblefor, such as lower energy bills, discounts on prescriptionmedications and more. 

Tax Benefits 
In addition to the financial assistance programs, there arealso a number of tax benefits that may help you too likethe Dependency Exemption, which allows you to deduct$4,050 in 2107 on each qualifying grandchild.

There’s also the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC 
which is available to those with moderate to low incomes, 
or the Child Tax Credit if you make too much money toqualify for the EITC.

If you’re working, and are incurring childcare expenses 

in order to work, there’s a Child and Dependent CareCredit that can help. And, if you choose to legally adoptyour grandkids, there’s an Adoption Credit that providesa federal tax credit of up to $13,570.

There are even education-related tax credits that can 
help your grandkids go to college, like the AmericanOpportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning TaxCredit. 

To learn more about these tax benefits call the IRS 
at 800-829-1040, or visit IRS.gov. You can also call theIRS publication line at 800-829-3676 and ask themto mail you the publications that further explain theaforementioned benefits. Ask for publications 501, 503,596, 970, 972. 

Health Insurance 
If your grandkids need health insurance, depending onyour income level, you may be able to get free or low-
cost health insurance through your state’s Medicaid 
and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. SeeInsureKidsNow.gov or call 877-543-7669 for moreinformation. 

Legal AidYou also need to talk to a family law attorney to discussthe pros and cons of obtaining legal guardianship,
custody or adoption. Without some sort of legal custody,
you may not be eligible for many of the previously listedfinancial assistance programs, and there can be problemswith basic things like enrolling your grandkids in school,
or giving a doctor permission to treat them. For helplocating affordable or free legal assistance, visit www.
FindLegalHelp.org, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800677-
1116 for referrals. 

For more information and resources see the 
Grandfamilies State Law and Policy Resource Center atGrandFamilies.org.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. JimMiller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and authorof “The Savvy Senior” book. 

DCSC – SERVING FOLKS IN NEED 



The Duarte Community Service Council continues Pictured from left, Tina Heany and Dorothy Smith,
to support many needy families in Duarte. This DCSC and Tina Carey, Duarte Kiwanis Secretary.
year they are collecting food, clothes and toys toIf you are interested in joining Duarte Kiwanis orcreate Holiday Baskets for these families. The Duartebeing a speaker at a future event, contact Tina CareyKiwanis club is proud to support them in their efforts. at tinac51@aol.com. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….December Birthdays* 

Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, 
Mignon Grijalva, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat 
McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, 
Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, and Melissa Stute. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required but you must be over 60. 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 
Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome 
to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 


Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 
Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday November 16th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for 


Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is 
welcome, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 
Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is
available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointments
are required by calling 626-355-7394. 


Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 11:30a.m. 
Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 


include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntary
donation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 
Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cake
provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 


Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 


Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic class
utilizes light weights, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class equipment is provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

THE MISSION INN & FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

(Riverside)

 Date: Friday, December 15, 2017 
Time: 2:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center 
Cost: $20 (Does not include dinner) 

The day begins with a 75-minute late afternoon guided tour on the art, architecture,
and history of the Mission Inn. Guests will have time for dinner, shopping, and the annual 
Festival of Lights with the nice Christmas Tree decor in the hotel lobby.
Due to the historic nature and character of the Mission Inn, tours involve significant
amounts of walking and standing; you may encounter areas of uneven ground, sidewalks 
and flooring; stairways, steps and slopes. You will be asked to sign a waiver and
release of liability by the Mission Inn. Dinner will be on your own and there are many
dining options along Main Street or at the Mission Inn Hotel.
Participants should bring money for dinner and souvenirs. Level of Walking: High.
Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 



Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com