Community & Senior Center

• Help with applying for State and Federal Assistance Programs including Dept. of Social Services programs for food assistance, cash assistance, Title 19, Husky Health Insurance, and Care 4 Kids
• Information and guidance about the Social Security Disability process
• Certified CHOICES Counseling on Medicare plans and enrollment
• Application site for Senior Renters' Rebate program
• Application site for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
• Application outreach location for Energy Assistance for Stafford Residents
• Referrals for Elderly Protective Services
• Onsite Congregate Meals Program for Seniors in the Senior Center
• Referrals and administration of the Meals on Wheels Program for seniors
• Foodshare distribution site - every other Thursday
• Town run non-perishable food bank
• Town run emergency fuel bank
• Holiday meal program
• Holiday gifts for children in need
• Back to School supply assistance program
• Senior health and wellness programs including blood pressure clinics, nutrition programs, flu shot clinics, and AARP Safe Driver courses
• Durable medical equipment lending library

• Bingo
• Board games
• Quilting
• Arts and crafts
• Billiard table
• Shopping trips
• Informational speakers

• Chair yoga and meditation class
• Qigong class
• Chair volleyball

2023 RENTER’S REBATE PROGRAM FOR
RENT PAID IN 2022

The Renters’ Rebate  Program gives qualifying applicants a partial rebate on the amount paid for rent over the previous calendar year.  Rebate amounts are based on several factors including income, expenses, and program funding.  Stafford residents can apply through the Stafford Community Center beginning on APRIL 1, 2023 and continuing through OCTOBER 1, 2023. Please note: October 1 is a Sunday, so applications will be due in my office by 10:00 am on Friday, September 29 so I have time to process them. Rebate checks will be mailed to approved applicants beginning on OCTOBER 31, 2023.

To qualify you must:

Be age 65 or over at the close of the preceding calendar year or eligible to receive permanent total disability benefits under Social Security as of the end of 2022.

Be a renter in CT at the time of application.

Have resided in CT for any one year period at any time prior to the time of application.

Meet qualifying income guidelines in the calendar year 2022 not to exceed $40,300 if unmarried or $49,100 if married or other.  (Any economic stimulus payments received during calendar year 2021 WILL NOT count as income for this program)

Rental unit definitions include apartments, cooperatives, land leases for mobile homes, condominiums, hotel/motel rooms, boarding houses, nursing homes, convalescent hospitals and assisted living centers.

You will need to provide the following documentation:   (all documentation is for 2022)

Proof of Rent Payments:

All 2022 rent receipts signed by your landlord, cancelled checks, money order receipts, or a signed statement from your landlord stating total amount paid for 2022. A copy of your lease is not acceptable.  Please note that rental expenses may only include amounts that you paid out of pocket.  Section 8 or rental assistance cannot be counted as part of your rental expense.

Proof of 2022 Income:

Copy of your 2022 Income Tax return (1040) with all schedules, if you file one.

If you receive Social Security Benefits, you will need to bring Form SSA 1099 which is mailed to you by the Social Security Administration in January.  If you do not have your SSA 1099 you can get one immediately online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccountor you may call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. If you receive social security disability payments your social security documents must state that you are disabled.

Copy of any 1099-R received for any pension or annuity distributions.
Copy of form 1099-DIV which documents the payment of dividends to you from your investments.
Copies of documents showing any interest that was paid to you in 2022.

Copies of any documents detailing other income received.  Examples may include lottery winnings, gambling winnings, severance pay, alimony, capital gains in 2022, employment 1099s, self-employment, unemployment compensation, workers compensation, alimony payments, net proceeds from legal settlements, cancellation of debt, etc.

Proof of 2022 Expenses:

Proof of payment for your electric service which may include canceled checks, a printed statement from Eversource or an online bank statement sorted by payee.  Energy assistance IS counted as part of the utility expense and is considered to be paid by you if it is provided through a federally funded program.  To obtain a statement from Eversource go online at https://www.eversource.com/Content/ct-cor call toll-free at 1-800-286-2000.

Proof of payment for fuel (oil, natural gas) which may include canceled checks, a signed letter from the vendor or a bank statement sorted by payee.  Energy assistance IS counted as part of the utility expense and is considered to be paid by you if it is provided through a federally funded program.

Proof of payment for town water which may include canceled checks, statement from the provider or a bank statement sorted by payee.

If you are applying by regular mail or email (not in person):

Signed M-35R Paper Application*  *See below

Please note that if you received cash assistance from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services in 2021, you may not be eligible for the Renter’s Rebate Program. 

Where do I apply?

Contact Grace Parrow at the Stafford Community Center at 860-684-3906 or email her at parrowg@staffordct.org.   

The Stafford Bus for Adults 60+ and People with Disabilities is always available to bring people to any special events or activities* presented by the Community and Senior Center.

*Rides to special events are always available.  Rides to regular, weekly activities are not available if they conflict with a bus trip scheduled for the same day and time.

May Bus Trips

Curbside service available to Stafford residents 60+ and people with disabilities

Bus Transportation  - The service offers older adults and people with disabilities free social trips and out-of-town shopping transportation to expand access to groceries and other items. Examples  include trips to out-of-town shopping plazas, Wal-Mart, in-town multi-store stops, lunch excursions, and more.
Our driver/attendant can also assist with loading groceries/purchases on and off the bus.  

The bus is always available to bring people to any special events or activities* presented by the Community and Senior Center.

*Rides to special events are always available.  Rides to regular, weekly activities are not available if they conflict with a bus trip scheduled for the same day and time.

Medical Transportation – The car is available for appointments on Monday through Friday.  Our driver/attendant will pick up the client at their private residence and transport them to their medical appointments.  After the appointment, the client is returned home.  If the client requires a prescription, we can sometimes accommodate a pharmacy stop before returning the client home.  Check with the driver if their schedule permits. The Medical Car travels to doctor's offices, hospitals, and clinics in Somers, Enfield, Stafford, Willington, Tolland, Vernon, Willimantic, Rockville, Manchester, and South Windsor.  We recommend that as soon as the client is aware of their appointment, they call the office at (860) 684-7752 to book their ride. If the time is already booked with another client, we can suggest another time that may be available. 

Clients needing medical transportation to Hartford/Farmington hospitals should coordinate with our office to find an open appointment slot on a Wednesday. 

Many of our clients enjoy these services because they are no longer able to drive.  Others enjoy maintaining their independence by not having to rely on children or relatives for rides to the store. Often times, clients are not comfortable driving in winter weather, but need to get their weekly errands done. This is a free service for Stafford seniors and people with disabilities. 

Passenger Application for Bus Transportation and Medical Vehicle
March Bus Trip Schedule

Call 860-684-7752 for additional information and to schedule your ride

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

The SFMNP is a supplemental food program for individuals who meet income eligibility and are over the age of 60 or those who are disabled living in housing where congregate nutrition services are provided (the town of Stafford does not have this type of housing).

Participants must be enrolled in another program with proper means testing (ex: Renter Rebate, SNAP, energy assistance) to verify income. Each eligible participant receives one (1) SFMNP card.  SFMNP cards can be used at FMNP authorized locations throughout Connecticut for fruits, vegetables, fresh cut herbs, and honey.

Please look at the attached flyer for details about card distribution.

New Procedure for SFMNP Card Distribution