Georgia Online Justice Community

AARP, GLSP, Prosperity Campaign Hold 3-day Blitz to Sign Up Recipients

ATLANTA, Sept. 9, 2008 - AARP Georgia, with the support of the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign and the Georgia Legal Services Program, today began a three-day blitz to help an estimated 167,000 Georgia residents file to receive their Economic Stimulus rebate checks, worth approximately $50 million. The checks, ranging from $300 to $600, are part of a $168 billion federal growth package approved earlier this year to combat a faltering economy.

While those who filed federal tax returns were automatically eligible for the rebates, 167,000 Georgia residents have not yet filed and will not receive the stimulus checks unless they send in an income tax return by Oct. 15, 2008.
AARP Georgia, the IRS and the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign have set up 25 offices around the state, staffed by trained tax preparers, for three days, Sept. 9-11, to assist potential filers.

Filers, or those assisting them, can call 1-877-926-8300 to find the filing site closest to them. Sites will also be listed on the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign web site at www.atlantaprosperity.org, and a streaming video, produced by the Georgia Legal Services Program, is available online at www.georgiaadvocates.org explaining how to fill out the forms for those unable to come into an office during the blitz.

"Even if you are not otherwise required to file a tax return, you must file a 2007 return before Oct. 15 to receive a payment this year," said IRS spokesman Mark Green. The IRS has provided special filing instructions for those who do not otherwise have to file, including low-income workers, Social Security beneficiaries, some railroad retirees and those who receive certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"AARP's Tax-Aide volunteers, with assistance from the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, stand ready to provide one-on-one help to those who need it," said Ken Mitchell, state director of AARP Georgia. "If you know of a housebound senior or other person who needs help in getting their stimulus check, please tell them about this opportunity." AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free volunteer-run tax service assistance program. It provides trained and IRS-certified volunteers to assist taxpayers with limited resources with filing basic forms, including those needed to receive Economic Stimulus check.
"High energy and food prices have caused many Georgians to tighten their belts, and these checks will provide some relief from rising prices," said Carter Elliott, Atlanta Prosperity Campaign manager. "There are 167,000 Georgians that deserve to have this money, and we want to help them get it."

To be eligible for the rebates, filers:
1. Must have a valid Social Security number.
2. Must have at least $3,000 of work income and/or Social Security income in 2007. Some railroad retirement benefits and veterans' disability compensation, pension or survivors' benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs also can be counted.
3. Must not have been claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return.

Assistance sites throughout Georgia include:

Dodson Youth Center, Roswell UMC, 95 Pratt St., Roswell, 30075
Sandy Springs Regional Library, 395 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NE, Sandy Springs, 30328
Dogwood Library, 1838 Bankhead Hwy. NW, Atlanta, 30318
Quality Living Services, Inc., 4001 Danforth Rd. SW, Atlanta, 30331
Spalding County offices, 819 Memorial Dr., Griffin, 30223
Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur, 30030
Marietta Senior Center, 32 N. Fairground St., Marietta, 30060
Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Rd., Lawrenceville, 30044
George Pierce Park, 55 Buford, Hwy., Suwanee, 30024
Cherokee Regional Library, 305 Duke, St., LaFayette, 30728
Sowega Council on Aging, 309 Pine Ave, Albany, 31701
Perry Public Library, 1201 Washington St., Perry, 31069
Warner Robins Senior Activity Center, 152 Maple St., Warner Robins, 31093
Reddock Senior Citizens Center, 814 Griffin Ave., Eastman, 31023
Brunswick-Glynn County Library, 208 Gloucester St., Brunswick, 31520
Augusta Richmond County Library, 902 Greene St., Augusta, 30901
Victor Lord Park, 175 2nd St. Winder, 30680
White County Library, 60 Bell St., Cleveland, 30528
West End Mall, 850 Oak St., Atlanta, 30310
Greenbriar Mall, 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy. SW, Atlanta, 30331
Volunteer Macon, 195 Holt Ave., Macon, 31201
Macon Bibb Country Senior Center, 1283 Adams St., Macon, 31201
Waycross Weed & Seed, 1200 Colley St., Waycross, 31501
Economic Opportunity Authority, 618 W. Anderson St., Savannah, 31415
Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, 818 Pollard St., Atlanta 30315.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About GLSP
The mission of the Georgia Legal Services Program is to provide access to justice and opportunities out of poverty for Georgians with low-incomes.

Our lawyers and paralegals provide the help that reflects your community's values of fairness, equality, and responsibility to assist others in need.