Howard County Resource Guide 2018

12 H OWA R D C O U N T Y R E S O U R C E G U I D E 2 0 1 8 For additional information about these programs, call Maryland Access Point of Howard County (MAP) at 410-313-1234. The income and asset eligibility guidelines were effective as of July 1, 2017. However, these guidelines do change. Check with MAP for the latest figures. Assistance in completing applications is available. BENEFITS Offered By State & Federal Resource Programs PROGRAM NAME MONTHLY INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES ANNUAL ASSET ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND NOTES Aging in Place Tax Credit No test Must be age 65+ and in the home for 40+ years OR retired military. Tax credit designed to help longtime residents and military retirees remain in Howard County. Filing limited to 5 years. Limited to 20% of taxes. Apply by April 1 of each tax year. Benefits Checkup (A service of the National Council on Aging) May have income and criteria guidelines May have income or criteria guidelines www.benefitscheckup.org Find programs that can help pay for prescription drugs, healthcare, meals, utility bills. Federal Poverty Income Guidelines Individual $1,005 Couple $1,353 Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) Provides eligible low-income Marylanders assistance with electric bills. Only one application is required for both EUSP and MEAP. For information or to apply, call Community Action Council of Howard County at 410-313-6440. Individual $1,759 or less No test Couple $2,368 No test Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Provides eligible low- income Marylanders assistance with heating bills. Only one application is required for both MEAP and EUSP. For information or to apply, call Community Action Council of Howard County at 410-313-6440. Individual $1,759 or less No test Couple $2,203 No test Food Supplement Program $3,250 for household of any size Assists client in paying for food. A household’s first $141/month is not counted in determining eligibility; household vehicles, not counted. There are also medical and housing deductions. For information or to apply, call the Howard County Dept. of Social Services at 410-872-8700. Individual $1,634 Couple $2,203 2018 State of Maryland Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Program Plan is based on relationship between property taxes and income; combined gross household income cannot exceed $60,000. Net worth is less than $200,000 (excluding property on which you are seeking credit and cash value of IRAs or qualified retirement savings plans). Allows a credit against the homeowner’s 2017 property tax bill if property taxes exceed a fixed percentage of the person’s gross income. No age restrictions. Credit applicable only to dwelling which is the person’s permanent residence. Apply before July property tax is due but no later than September 1, 2018. Homeowners age 70 or older who have not applied for the program previously should call 410-767-4433 or 800-944-7403, or see www.dat.state.md.us

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTUwMDA=