Programs provide help for persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers, low-income families and individuals over 60

Free tax help is available for Illinois residents in need through several programs across the state.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and AARP Tax-Aide programs are offering free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide.

The availability of services will vary by region.

“Taxes are due on April 15 this year. If a qualified taxpayer needs help filling out their return, free assistance is available,” David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, said in a news release.

“While in-person assistance is more limited due to the COVID pandemic, certified volunteers are still available to help people over the age of 50 years and working-class taxpayers file their state and federal returns accurately and on time while ensuring the health and safety of taxpayers and volunteers.”

*Note the Internal Revenue Service announced it has extended tax deadlines until May 17.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax help for individuals who:

• Make $57,000 or less
• Have a disability
• Speak limited English
• Are 60 years of age or older

Taxpayers can search for a free tax assistance provider closest to them by visiting the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website at tax.illinois.gov.

The IRS-sponsored Ladder Up Virtual Tax Assistance Program also provides free basic tax return preparation for low-to-moderate-income and elderly taxpayers.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free tax assistance to taxpayers over the age of 50 or who have low-to-moderate income. Availability is determined at the local or community level by appointment only (walk-in service is unavailable this year).

Decisions on whether a site offers an all-virtual, light contact or in-person approach will be based on safety and health data from Johns Hopkins about COVID-19 levels in a community.

The site locator will be regularly updated, and short-notice changes are possible. AARP membership is not required to receive assistance.

See the state’s Free Tax Preparation news release for more information on all available tax help services.

The Consumer Stipend Program provides assistive technology funding for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Most conferences, important meetings and training for people with developmental disabilities and their families have gone virtual.

Grant funding is now available through the Consumer Stipend Program to help these individuals stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Arc of Illinois manages the Consumer Stipend Program through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. The stipend funds help people with developmental disabilities and their family members attend conferences that are directly related to developmental disability issues.

The Consumer Stipend Program will now allow stipends to pay for the assistive technology needed to attend virtual events.

To apply for the Consumer Stipend Program, an applicant must be:

• An Illinois resident
• A person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability
• A family member of a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability
• A guardian/foster parent of a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability

Funding is available for a variety of assistive technology, including:

• iPads and other tablets
• Laptops
• Apps for tablets
• Software
• Other assistive technology that will help people stay connected

Available funds will depend on an applicant’s technology needs. Only one application is allowed per individual or family.

More details about the Consumer Stipend Program and the application process are available on The Arc of Illinois website.

You may also call (815) 464-1832 with any questions about the stipend program.

The Johnson family donated 160 Easter baskets for children at Central DuPage Hospital, surpassing their goal despite the coronavirus outbreak

Andrea Stambaugh vividly recalls the disappointment she felt
when her son, Axel Johnson, was in the pediatric intensive care unit on Easter
weekend 2018. 

There would be no coloring eggs, Easter egg hunts, or other
favorite family celebrations.

“I was feeling like a failure because I didn’t have an Easter basket beautifully wrapped and thoughtfully hidden here for Axel to see on Easter morning,” Andrea wrote on her Facebook page, “Axel’s Journey with CMV.” “Then, as the lights turned down in the hallway and it grew quiet, I heard a family in the hallway praying. Praying not for Easter baskets and a chance to color eggs, but for life.”

The moment immediately changed her perspective. Andrea vowed to offer love and support to such families who can’t be home making memories with their children.

For the last two years, the Johnsons have collected donations to fill Easter baskets for hospitalized children. Despite unexpected challenges from the coronavirus outbreak, the family surpassed this year’s goal and delivered 160 Easter baskets to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

“We know the burden and the mom guilt that people feel when they can’t provide their kid a proper holiday. We know that that’s a lot of stress and a lot of burden and frankly, the families are dealing with a lot of other things if they’re in the hospital,” Andrea said. “They shouldn’t have to feel that pressure, so we’re here to make sure that’s relieved from them and that they can focus on healing for their child.”

Axel is 3 years old and a participant in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children program.

After his Easter hospitalization, Andrea researched information
from other organizations who coordinate Easter basket donations. She put
together a list of suggested items, including coloring books, puzzles, dolls
and action figures. She then asked her page followers for donations.

The Johnsons hoped to collect enough items for 25 baskets for Easter 2019. Donations far exceeded this goal. A team of volunteers helped them put together a total of 125 baskets for children at multiple Chicago-area hospitals.

This year, the Johnsons aimed to donate 150 baskets. They
set up an Amazon wish list for Easter basket items, and donations started to
pour in. But challenges soon arose as the coronavirus outbreak escalated. For
safety reasons, two hospitals could no longer accept donations for patients.

Central DuPage Hospital could accept the baskets if the
Johnsons followed strict safety precautions.

“We have an immunocompromised child, so we know about the
importance of keeping the children and the families safe during this time,”
Andrea said.

Every Easter basket item was purchased new and cleaned with bleach spray or a sanitizing wipe. Andrea and her partner, Adam Johnson, wore gloves and masks while sorting the items and wrapping the baskets with cellophane and personalized notes.

Due to the pandemic’s social distancing requirements, Andrea
and Adam spent 16 hours packaging 160 baskets without their usual team of
volunteers.

Last weekend, they delivered the baskets to Central DuPage
Hospital in Winfield to be ready for patients on Easter Sunday.

“It makes our hearts really happy every year when we get to
see the finished product and all of the kids that will be blessed this Easter,”
Andrea said.

The family is also already planning to provide baskets to
more hospitals next Easter.

For more information about their project and Axel’s condition, visit “Axel’s Journey with CMV” on Facebook.