By Gina Morton
An application deadline is approaching for the nearly 4,000 Valley residents who may qualify for stimulus checks from the federal government.
The majority of those who have yet to apply for the economic stimulus are senior citizens, said David Stewart, Pennsylvania media relations for the Internal Revenue Service.
In Northumberland County, 2,250 seniors have not filed for the payment, Stewart said. That number reflects qualifying retirees who receive Social Security or Veterans Affairs benefits.
"These are identified as potential filers eligible," Stewart said. "It deals specifically with Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits. It does not include the universe of everyone who could have filed."
In Snyder County, there are about 675 potential recipients who have yet to file; in Union County, 525; and in Montour County, 425.
The application deadline to file for the stimulus check is Oct. 15.
Because many of these individuals did not complete income tax forms, they have not met stimulus check filing requirements.
"The only way to get (the stimulus check) is with a file return," he said. "For the past several years, it's just another day on the calendar because they didn't file. But as the law is written, you have to file to get the check."
Director Pat Rumberger says her Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging group is trying to make residents aware that they should apply for the stimulus check, even if they did not file income tax forms.
"We're not agents of the IRS and are not certified to fill out tax forms," Rumberger said, "but we are trying to get people aware that if they did not fill out their income taxes, they should still apply."
She noted the agency is working through media and senior action centers in an attempt to make seniors aware.
Through the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act, eligible individuals will receive between $300 and $600, depending on the information contained in the tax return, according to the IRS Web site.
Those who are eligible and file a joint return will receive between $600 and $1,200. Those with children will get an additional $300 for each qualifying child.
Stewart suggests those who need help to visit their closest IRS office and get assistance.
"If no one is waiting in line, it takes five minutes," Stewart said. "Bring your proper ID and any form of income statement at all."
More information is available by visiting www.irs.gov.
n E-mail comments to gmorton@dailyitem.com
