Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for the extra help if they have limited income and resources. The extra help can increase their cost savings by paying for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program. The extra help could be worth more than $3,300 per year.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173), enacted December 8, 2003, requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to undertake a number of additional Medicare-related responsibilities. SSA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are working together to provide persons with limited income and resources extra help paying for their prescription drugs. Social Security's role in this partnership is to help the public understand how they may qualify and apply.

Apply Online:

See if you qualify for help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

Apply for help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

Whether you're filing on your own behalf or helping someone file the application, submit the Internet application to us right away to avoid delaying the extra help.

As part of his Keep Cool Illinois campaign, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has made 127 state facilities available as cooling centers. The cooling centers will provide Illinoisans a place to stay cool and comfortable during hot summer days. Cooling centers are open during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Monday through Friday. For more information about Cooling Centers call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at (800) 843-6154

Chicago residents age 60 and older: Come to Mayor Daley's Senior Fest on Wednesday, August 22, 2007-South Region and Thursday, August 23, 2007-North and West Regions from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the McCormick Place North Building at 24^th Street and Martin Luther King Drive. Activities will include a picnic lunch, game area with miniature golf, a pool tournament, a dance pavilion, a dance exhibition, a healthy aging pavilion and a senior artist pavilion. For more information call the Chicago Department on Aging at 312-744-4016.

The Chicago Police Department's Senior Services Section wants you to be aware of a scam that is targeting all people, especially Senior Citizens. This scam is known as "The Jury Duty Scam."

Most of us take summons for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out of their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of scam has surfaced.

In this con, someone calls pretending to be a court official who threateningly says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you have failed to show up for jury duty. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. In some cases they have asked for credit card numbers. If you give out any of this information your identity has just been stolen.

This scam has been reported in 11 states including Illinois. They are stealing the identities of many senior citizens who are oblivious to the idea that someone might use the court systems to pull off a scam. This scam is particularly menacing, because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information. Most senior citizens respect people of authority, therefore giving these scam artists easy access to information.

Direct any inquiries relative to this correspondence to the Senior Services Section, at City-Net 312-745-5142 or Fax 0260.

Check out more Chicago Police Senior Services Safety Tips.

The Illinois Department on Aging is seeking nominations for the 2007 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes contributions made by older persons in the state. Established in 1994 by the General Assembly, the Hall of Fame honors adults who excel in four categories – Community Service, Performance or Graphic Arts, Education and the Labor Force. The Illinois Senior Hall of Fame has been sponsored by Walgreens since 1995.

Nomination forms will be accepted by fax and mail through August 25, 2007. Eligibility is based on the nominee's past and present accomplishments in the category of choice. The candidate must be age 65 or older and a current Illinois resident or a former citizen who has lived in the state most of his/her life. Posthumous nominees will be considered. Winners will be inducted into the 2007 Illinois Senior Hall of Fame during a special ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield in the fall. For more information, visit Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame.

University of Illinois Extension presents Senior Scholars, a series of non-credit, educational programs for older adults. Extension is teaming up with Matteson Public Library to bring you some great program offerings. Workshops will be presented at either the University of Illinois Extension Complex in Matteson or at the Matteson Public Library. Please take note of the location of each program.

Summer 2007 Program Schedule

Worms, Roaches and Bugs, Oh My!

Presented by: Ron Wolford, Urban Gardening/Environment Educator

Come and learn how redworms, one of nature's best recyclers turn food scraps into nutrient-rich plant food. We invite you to bring along your grandchild or a young friend so you can make a worm bin together. You will learn how to feed, care for and harvest the worms. Your grandchild can then take the worm bin home. In addition, kids will get to touch and feel real insects and spiders including Giant Millipedes, Tarantulas, and Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. They will also learn about insect parts and their functions. Don't worry, grandkids aren't mandatory!! Feel free to come by yourself too!

Date: Thursday, July 26, 2007 Time: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Matteson Extension Complex

1^st Annual Senior Scholars Spelling Bee

Presented by: Molly Hofer, Family Life Educator

It is neither the Scripps National Spelling Bee nor the Putnam County Spelling Bee. It's the 1^st Annual Senior Scholars Spelling Bee! Come join us and take your turn as we relive the spelling bees of yesteryear! There will be fun and prizes for all.

Date: Thursday, August 23, 2007 Time: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Matteson Extension Complex

Building a Better Memory

Presented by: Molly Hofer, Family Life Educator

Have you ever gone into a room and forgot why you went in there? Are you still looking for something you put away for "safekeeping?" If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, come and find out how to build a better memory. This workshop will cover how researchers are examining the memory process, how memory changes as we age, and strategies for remembering better.

Date: Monday, September 10, 2007 Time: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Matteson Public Library

To register, please call University of Illinois Extension at 708-720-7500. Take note that programs will either take place at the Matteson Extension Complex or the Matteson Public Library.

Directions to Matteson Extension Complex:

One block west of I-57 on Route 30 (Lincoln Hwy) is Central Ave. (Stop light). Turn south on Central. Proceed past car dealerships. Turn left immediately after bicycle sign. Proceed to white one story building next to Enterprise Car Rental. The address is 5527 Miller Circle Drive.

Directions to Matteson Public Library:

Take Cicero Avenue to 207^th Street. Go east on 207^th to School Avenue. Take a right on School Avenue and the library is immediately on the left. The address is 801 South School Avenue.