Are you thinking of selling or trading in a drivable older car or van? Why not donate it to Senior Services of Albany instead? You will receive a tax deduction, and your vehicle will be put to work serving the needs of elderly Albany County residents.
Right now, we need four-door sedans and mini vans with low mileage and in good working order. We’ll use them in our Transportation Program, a door-to-door service that provides more than 500 rides each week, or in our Meals On Wheels program, the largest operation of its kind in the area, delivering more than 1,000 meals every day.
Our vehicle fleet is aging, and each time one requires repair, it affects the entire program. Seniors must wait longer for their rides, and at times are left sitting in an office at a store. Meal deliveries can be delayed and when you are homebound and hungry, any delay is too long.
According to IRS rules, a vehicle donor can claim a deduction of the vehicle’s fair market value if the receiving charity makes significant use of the vehicle- and SSA makes significant use of donated vehicles every day.
In contrast, many non-profits accept donated vehicles for the purpose of selling them at auction, and according to IRS rules, a donor’s deduction is limited to the amount of gross proceeds from the charity’s sale of the vehicle. For more information visit irs.gov.
To start the no-hassle donation process, call SSA at 463-4381.

Are you looking for relief from paying the full cost or your prescription drugs? New York State recently launched the New York Prescription Saver, a free prescription discount card for New York residents ages 50 to 64 years old, or persons with a disability regardless of age. Income eligibility limits for the card are $35,000 for a single person and $50,000 for a married couple. People with Medicaid coverage are not eligible.
Beginning April 1, 2009, New York State will offer the card free of charge to those who meet the eligibility. The card can lower prescription costs by as much as 60 percent on generics and 30 percent on brand name drugs. When the card is presented, the price will be reduced by cash discount right at the pharmacy counter. Most outpatient prescription drugs are eligible for the discount New York is sponsoring the program with the support of a statewide network of more than 3,300 pharmacies. Many pharmaceutical manufacturers are also participating and providing additonal discounts.
Individuals must meet the income requirements and use the cared at participating pharmacies. Applications are available on line at nyuprescriptonsaver.fhsc.com. Download the form and mail it in, or call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-788-6917. The discount card will be mailed within two weeks after application is approved.
Apply now and start saving at the pharmacy counter.