Capitol Monitor ....
Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Fourth District of Virginia 

October 6, 2006

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In this Issue

1. Senior Matters

 

 

:: Senior Matters ::     

 

 

I could not possibly be alone in my frustration, I concluded. Around me sat the papers I’d spent the last hour and 45 minutes organizing. Like little towers on the landscape of the office floor, there wasn’t a clear way to make it to the other side of the room without stepping on a pile of envelopes from the bank, a stack of medical statements, or a mound of other documents. It was quickly approaching 8 p.m. and my stomach was warning me that, although I had good intentions to “finally get organized,” tonight was not the night to finish this project.

As I made my way carefully across the room, clipping the stack of bills, I thought of Dad and how organized he used to seem in his younger years. Saturday afternoons were spent balancing the checkbook, organizing a few papers, and mowing the yard. Of course, as he and Mom moved into retirement and began collecting Dad’s military pension and Social Security, the paperwork became a little more time-consuming. And after Dad passed, Mom and I spent hours organizing benefits paperwork and making sure that we had the appropriate military burial documentation.

As I closed the door behind my office filled with stacks of paperwork, it occurred to me how much our world has changed since Dad was my age. Today we have more accounts, more policies, and more statements. Today we have the Internet, multiple e-mail addresses that change with new jobs or a move, and personal computers that become “obsolete” after several years. Not only is there more information, but it is coming at us in more formats and becoming increasingly difficult not only in deciding how to file or save it all, but just what to save.

And, since 9/11, the federal government has reorganized many of its procedures with significantly more emphasis on security and documentation. Increasingly, we are required to produce multiple forms of identification, original documents or certified copies. My office often sees that this documentation burden is hardest on our seniors who are left confused at what seems to be an endless maze of red tape. We frequently receive calls from seniors who, although they may be entitled to their Social Security, military benefits, Medicare or other federal benefit, often do not have the proper documentation in order to get the help or benefit to which they are entitled.

In response to the calls and casework that my office has handled on this issue, earlier this year we created a resource for seniors entitled “Seniors Organizational Toolkit.” This toolkit provides a guide to what documentation and information is necessary to have on-hand and what to obtain if you don't already have it. It is designed to be placed in a file folder and used as a checklist to organize your important documents. Additionally, it provides tips on how to protect your information from identity thieves by taking simply steps such as opting out of pre-screened credit card offers, signing up for the national Do-Not-Call registry, or obtaining your free credit report. This toolkit is available online at: http://www.house.gov/forbes/documents/OrganizationalToolkit.pdf.


Additionally, in the coming weeks, I am hosting two workshops in Virginia’s Fourth District on Friday, October 13. The hour-long workshops are designed to help educate seniors on consumer information including proper documentation, identity theft and scams targeting seniors. An expert from the Virginia Department on the Aging will be on-hand to discuss how to best protect financial assets, acquire and organize documentation, and the steps to take in case one suspects they have fallen victim to a scam. Some of the topics we will be covering include:

 - What documents are essential in today’s world,
 - How to organize your important documents,
 - How to identify scams targeted at seniors, and,
 - How to protect your personal information from identity theft.

 

Please mark your calendar to join us:

Friday, October 13, 2006

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Hilton Garden Inn, Southpark
800 Southpark Boulevard
Colonial Heights, Virginia

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Lifestyle Center at Chesapeake General Hospital
800 Battlefield Boulevard
Chesapeake, Virginia

A great deal of information, tools and experts are available to assist seniors in protecting their financial resources. Unfortunately, many individuals are not aware of these tools, or are unsure how to obtain them or best utilize each resource. With proper resources and the necessary tools, individuals can obtain the necessary documents and substantially reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or a scam.

I hope to see you on Friday, October 13th!

 

ON THE HILL ....

Current Floor Proceedings

Bills Coming Up This Week

Monthly Whip Calendar

OFFICE LOCATIONS ....

307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202.225.6365

505 Independence Pkwy, Suite 104
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757.382.0080

2903 Boulevard, Suite B
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
804.526.4969

425 H. South Main Street
Emporia, VA 23847
434.634.5575

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