FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION SERVICE TO BE OFFERED AT PUTNAM CAP

   Putnam CAP will be a host site for AARP’s free tax preparation assistance, available for low to moderate income residents of Putnam County. The service includes federal and state tax preparation and e-filing of the tax returns. Putnam CAP is located at 121 Main Street in the Village of Brewster. There are no age restrictions or membership requirements. Appointments are available on the following Tuesdays: Feb. 14, 28, March 13, 27 and April 10. Please call the United Way at 2-1-1 to schedule your appointment or call 1-800-899-1479.

By Marisa O’Leary, Assistant Director

  The agency has recently partnered with Barrett Lending Corporation to service the needs of low-income individuals owning their own business or venture who are in need of financial assistance.
  Grants of up to $750 per individual, per annum can be provided to assist an individual’s business, as well as up to $500 per individual, per annum, to help meet expenses such as food, rent and utilities.
  Funding is also now available to eligible Putnam County Residents affected by Hurricane Irene, and who are in need of assistance with costs related to the following: replacement food, clothing, furniture and/or household items, transitional housing, debris removal and/or mold remediation, if not previously covered through FEMA assistance. To be eligible for this program, participants’ gross monthly household income must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, and all disaster-related relief, such as FEMA and NYS Household Appliance Grants must be ex­hausted or utilized.
  *Please note that funding for both of the above mentioned programs is only available through December 2011. To learn more about these programs or to apply, please contact Missy Ogden, Putnam CAP Services Coordinator, at 845-278-8021, ext. 19.