Perry County Residents Fail to Collect Stimulus

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ While a tough economy is leaving many people struggling to balance the soaring costs of gas, food, and health care, 456 Perry County residents, including 345 over the age of 65 have failed to take advantage of their economic stimulus rebate - leaving $136,800 unclaimed. With nearly 70% of those who haven't filed in Illinois over the age of 65, AARP is working to get the message out and help people get their money before it's too late.

AARP announced an aggressive effort to ensure people have the facts they need about the stimulus rebate to get the money most people could use these days. Launching a community outreach campaign, advertising efforts, mailings to members, and an on-line tool - www.aarp.org/stimulushelp <http://www.aarp.org/stimulushelp> - all to help older individuals who don't file income tax returns receive their stimulus payment of $300 to $600.

"People across the nation and here in Illinois are struggling to afford basic necessities, this is no time for anyone to leave money on the table," said Evelyn Gooden, AARP Illinois State President. "AARP is working to ensure older Illinoisans who don't usually file income taxes don't miss out on the federal rebate money that could soften the blow of an economic downturn."

Illinois ranks 7th in the nation, with over 210,000 people yet to file, leaving more than $63 million unclaimed. In Du Quoin alone, 255 residents of which 193 are over the age of 65 are leaving $76,500 unclaimed. Nationally over 5 million people remain to file for their rebates, leaving a total of nearly $1.7 billion in unclaimed payments.

According to a recent AARP survey on how the economic slowdown is affecting older Americans, nearly 60% of people over 65 are finding it more difficult to pay for items such as food, gas and medicine, while 12% have had to postpone paying bills and nearly 50% are having trouble affording their utilities.

To receive the stimulus rebate, people who didn't need to file a tax return this year, but who received at least $3,000 from Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, or earned income in 2007, must submit a simplified version of a 1040A tax form to the IRS (for more information visit ww.irs.gov or call the IRS toll-free 1-800-829-1040). The minimum payment for this group is $300 for an individual and $600 for a couple filing jointly.