The Elder Community Services Program is a program for residents of the Town of West Boylston, who are over 60 years of age and who own and live on their property in West Boylston. In exchange for voluntary service to a town department, board, agency or program, a person can received up to $1,300.00 per calendar year that can be used to pay
their real estate property tax. Voluntary service is limited to 100 hours per six-month period. This program was established by vote of the Town Meeting on April 8, 1996.
The eligibility requirements of the Elder Community Services Program are:
- a person must be at least 60 years of age
- a person must reside in the Town of West Boylston at the property for which the tax is being effected
- the applicant must meet the income level identified as the Worcester County Median Low Income. This Medial Low Income is set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. One-half of your Social Security Income is exempt from this calculation.
- a person must be capable of doing the work that is available.
Administration
The West Boylston Council On Aging administers the Elder Community Services Program through a subcommittee, consisting of the Director of the Council On Aging and two Council members.
Application
Interested individuals must complete an application, available from the Council On Aging office and return it to the Director of the Council On Aging.
The application is evaluated by the subcommittee (after identifying information is removed) using the following criteria:
- Household income falls within the Income Guidelines;
- The applicant has the ability to perform the work;
- A suitable position is available for the skills of the applicant.
Applicants who have previously participated will be considered for another year, after completing the financial eligibility portion of the application.
Voluntary Service
A selected applicant will be placed within a town department, board, agency or program upon the recommendation of the subcommittee and subject to the approval of the Town Administrator. You may refuse the first offering. When accepted, the department head and the volunteer will complete a brief job description as a work contract, sign it, and return it to the Council on Aging Director. This agreement will stipulate the number of hours of service that have been approved.
During voluntary service, the department head will supervise and train the applicant and report the accrued hourly credit to the Council On Aging Director on a biweekly schedule.
Property Tax Liability Adjustments
Credit towards property tax liability obligations will be applied towards your tax bill twice a year, in January and July.
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