113,147 low-income seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities in Missouri have yet to claim their economic stimulus payments from the federal government, the Missouri Budget Project announced today. Missourians have until October 15 to file a tax return in order to receive a stimulus payment. These unclaimed payments in Missouri alone add up to $33,944,100, which, when claimed by Missourians, could help boost the state’s economy.
The stimulus payments —worth a minimum of $300 per person — have not been claimed by many of the people who most need them to cover basic expenses like food and shelter. These are also the people who are most likely to spend the payments quickly, helping the economy as Congress intended when it approved the payments earlier this year.
“Especially with the weak economy, many Missourians are having a tough time making ends meet,” said Amy Blouin, Executive Director of the Missouri Budget Project. “These stimulus payments can give them, and our economy, much-needed help.”
Many people have not claimed their payment because their incomes were too low for them to have to file a tax return this year. To receive the payment, residents must file a 2007 tax return, though people with no other filing requirements only need to fill out part of the return.
“Many of the Missourians who have not yet claimed their payments are seniors or disabled individuals who are not required to file for any reason other than to get their stimulus payment, so they may not realize they qualify,” Blouin said. “And, because they may not have filed a tax return in decades, they may find the process intimidating. However, they only have until October 15 to claim the payment, and assistance is available in all areas of the state.”
“Seniors who are home-bound may need special assistance,” Blouin said. “Family members and friends should check in with the seniors they know to make sure they’re aware they can qualify for the payment and get the help they need.”
For assistance, individuals who have not yet claimed their stimulus payments can use an online tool developed by AARP and the National Council on Aging, available at:
(https://aarp-stimulus2008.benefitscheckup.org/espp/welcome.do or https://stimulus2008.benefitscheckup.org/espp/welcome.do).
This tool provides a simple way to fill out the required form and information about where to send it.
Missourians can also find assistance through service providers in their communities, including:
In Southwest Missouri:
Southwest Center for Independent Living
2864 S Nettleton
Springfield, MO 65807
417-886-1188 or 800-676-7245
The Independent Living Center
(Call for appointment)
1001 East 32nd Street
Joplin, MO 64804
417-659-8086 or 800-346-8951
Southwest Office on Aging
1735 South Fort Ave.
Springfield, MO 65807
417-862-0762 or 800-497-0822
The VantAge Point
2701 S. Bird
Joplin, MO 64804
417-781-7562
In Southeast Missouri:
Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging
1219 N. Kingshigway St., Suite 100
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573-335-3331 or 800-392-8771
Bootheel Area Independent Living Center
719 Teaco Road
Kennett, MO 63857
573-888-0002 or 800-449-0949
Independent Living Center of SE Missouri
511 Cedar Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
573-686-2333 or 888-890-2333
In St. Louis/St. Charles Region:
Mid-East Area Agency on Aging
14535 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis , MO 63011
636.207.0847 or 800.243.6060
St. Louis Area Agency on Aging
634 N Grand Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63103
314.612.5918
In Kansas City Region:
Mid-America Regional Council
Department of Aging Services
600 Broadway, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-474-4240 or 800-593-7948
In Mid-Missouri:
Disabled Citizen Alliance for Independence
8 Missouri Avenue
Viburnum, MO 65566
573-244-5402
Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging
1121 Business Loop 70 East
Columbia, MO 65201
573-443-5823 or 800-369-5211
Care Connection
106 West Young
Warrensburg, MO 64093
800.886.4699
In Northeast Missouri:
Northeast Independent Living Services
909 Broadway, Suite 350
Hannibal, MO 63401
573-221-8282 or 877-713-7900
Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging
815 N Osteopathy
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-665-4682 or 800-664-6338
In Northwest Missouri:
Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging
211 South Polk
Albany, MO 64402
660-726-3800 or 888-844-5626
One Missourian who received assistance in filing for her payment is Cathy Slatinsky, 50, of Springfield. “I didn’t even know it (the rebate check) was available for disabled people until the SCIL (Southwest Center for Independent Living) informed me about it and how to get it,” Slatinsky said. “I immediately filled out the form and sent it in. I received it (the rebate check) within two weeks and was so excited to get it! I was behind on my city utilities bill before I got it, but it (the rebate check) got me up to date.”