Page 9 - Consumer Issues News Today

Kentuckians age 50 and older say increased support for family caregivers, affordable housing and lower prescription drug costs would help improve their lives. AARP Kentucky advocates will gather Friday at the Capitol in Frankfort to identify these and other issues for the states older residents. Gary Adkins, volunteer state president for AARP Kentucky, said the group will also be pushing for additional funding for the Senior Nutrition Program, which is commonly referred to as Meals on Wheels, ...

Many Wisconsinites have received their income documents for filing taxes. A long-standing program geared toward low to moderate-income adults is back again this year to provide free in-person and virtual assistance in preparing returns. AARP has its Tax-Aide sites open around the state. ...

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Committee (PUC) public comment period opens for a proposed settlement about consumer billing issues from PPL Electric Utilities. The PUC is reminding customers on Tuesday of PPL and other concerned parties about the start of a public comment period regarding a proposed settlement that was sparked by […]

AARP Iowa is calling on lawmakers to help prevent gift-card scams during this years legislative session. Impostor scams have been the number one consumer fraud scam in Iowa for nine years running and commonly seek payment via gift cards. Paige Yontz, state advocacy manager for AARP Iowa, said impostors play on a victims fears, usually tied to family members. ...

In the coming weeks, South Dakotans will be given a chance to file their taxes online directly with the Internal Revenue Service at no cost. Plans are coming together for the pilot project offered in a dozen states. IRS officials hope the "Direct File" option will be ready by mid-March, giving taxpayers in selected states about one month to take advantage before the general filing deadline. ...

About 180,000 Nebraskans are caregivers for a family member. Nationally, family caregivers spend an average of more than $7000 a year on related expenses. A bill in the Nebraska Legislature would help offset some of those expenses. ...

In Congress, the second expansion of the Child Tax Credit is expected to provide some Connecticut families with much-needed help and one local organization hopes its only a first step. The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities reported the new tax credit would benefit 16-million low-income children nationally in its first year, including 119,000 in Connecticut. Emily Byrne, executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children, said state action could build on the federal progress. ...

President Joe Biden has made diversity, equity, and inclusion a focal point of his administration, but throughout his tenure, programs with the same aims have been dismantled.

Free tax-filing assistance is available once again in Washington state starting today. The AARP Foundations Tax-Aide program is available to everyone regardless of age or income level. Charles Humble, communication volunteer lead for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program at AARP Washington, said people are grateful for the program, recalling a single mom with three kids he helped get several thousand dollars back through her tax refund. ...

Californias wildfire death toll has ticked down in recent years, mostly because mega-fires have managed to avoid urban areas. Firefighters have some tips for the millions of Golden State residents who live along the wildland-urban interface. Capt. ...