Women’s Basketball Practice to Begin

Beginning Tuesday, May 31 at Seymour Center in Chapel Hill, the Orange County Senior Women's Basketball teams (The Orange Sprots and others) will practice from 5:15 - 6:45 pm. Teams are formed at 5-year intervals (50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89. . .).  

Join us for fun, exercise, and camaraderie.  For more information, call or text Angela Andrews at 919 200 9887 or email at angela.andrews@alunmi.duke.edu

British Medieval Life

Rural lords, peasants and serfs: Explore the growing gulf among freemen and serfs, Catholics and Protestants. With fewer options, peasants can only pray that the harvest does not fail. Did you know that women’s wages were higher in the medieval period than in the Victorian period? Lecture lead by Andrew O'Brien. Min: 15/Max: 50
Date: Tue, Jun 7; Time: 3 pm
Location: Passmore Hybrid; Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity #244075-01; Register by: Tue, May 24; Fee: FREE

Did you miss the April 18th Income Tax Filing Deadline?

The Orange County VITA program has closed for the tax season and will reopen in February 2023.  If an individual taxpayer is owed a refund, there’s no penalty for filing late. On the other hand, tax owed and not paid by April 18, 2022 is subject to penalties and interest.
 
Anyone who didn't file and owes tax should file a return as soon as they can and pay as much as they can to reduce penalties and interest.  Visit our website www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita for resources to assist with filing a return for tax years 2018-2021 or claiming a child tax credit for 2021.

Get FREE At-Home COVID-19 Tests

In response to the rapid rise of Omicron subvariant cases and to help slow the spread of the virus, the Biden Administration announced on May 17th a third round of free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests. U.S. household may order an additional eight free tests at COVID.gov/tests. If you need help ordering the free at-home tests call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

June is Aphasia Awareness Month

Aphasia affects about two million Americans and is more common than Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Nearly 180,000 Americans acquire the disorder each year. However, most people have never heard of it.

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence. Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others, and most people with aphasia experience difficulty reading and writing.  The diagnosis of aphasia does NOT imply a person has a mental illness or impairment in intelligence.
 
The most common cause of aphasia is stroke (about 25-40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia). It can also result from head injury, brain tumor or other neurological causes. (National Aphasia FAQs, National Aphasia Association)

Be in the know, download and share the Aphasia Awareness poster and tips.

OCDOA Upcoming Monthly Events are now Available on Podcast for People who are Blind or Print Impaired

Thanks to our friends at the North Carolina Reading Service (NCRS), you can find a podcast of each monthly edition of the Orange County Department of Aging’s OCDOA Upcoming Events e-newsletter by taking the following steps:

• Go to the North Carolina Reading Service website (https://www.ncreadingservice.org/)
• Click on the “Listen" tab
• Next to "How to Listen to NCRS”, click on “Skip to Podcasts Section" 
• Under the “Newsletters" column on the far right side of the page, click on "Orange County Dept. Of  Aging”

About the North Carolina Reading Service (NCRS).

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.  Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA)

The EHA was created to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Assistance is available to households  in Orange County that:

1. Earn no more than 30% of the area median income 
2. Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 
3. Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

To learn more or to apply, call the Orange County Housing Helpline at 919-245-2655 or visit Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program

The program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

Financial Assistance for Housing Payments

The NC Homeowner Financial Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

Low Income Household
Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

 LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment for eligible low-income households paid directly to the utility company. LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds are exhausted. Apply online at www.epass.nc.gov or call/visit your local County Department of Social Services. Learn more download the LIHWAP flier.

Prescription Medications Too Expensive?

Medicare’s Extra Help program reduces the price of medications for those who qualify.  You must have monthly income below $1700 and savings less than $14,000.  For a married couple, income must be less than $2,289 and savings below $28,000. 
 
For those who don’t qualify for that program, explore these options:

• Ask your doctor and pharmacist about alternative medications that are covered on your drug plan at a lower co-pay, such as generics.
• Search for Manufacturer Discount Programs that cover your medication.
• Check the current pricing of your medications using a Drug Discount Program.  In some cases, retail pricing with coupons are lower than the co-pays on your drug plan.  Be aware, however that costs won’t apply to your drug plan’s deductible. Popular options include:  www.goodrx.com, www.blinkhealth.com, www.northcarolinadrugcard.com and www.costplusdrugs.com

Make an appointment to meet with a certified volunteer counselor from the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) to discuss your options.  We have both in-person appointments and appointments by Zoom available by visiting our website www.orangecountync.gov/Medicare or calling 919-245-4274.

Senior Center Fee Payment and Financial Assistance

The Orange County Senior Centers strive to be accessible and welcoming to all seniors.  If you want to participate in senior center fee-based activities and are unable, or unwilling, to pay a required fee, you may still participate.

Furthermore, a selection of free activities and programs are available to seniors age 55 and over. Read more.