Ward draws attention to three Tri-County Community programs

Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, recently announced that the Tri-County Community will sponsor three upcoming programs intended to help individuals and families in the areas of taxes, finance and prescriptions. The TCC is an area organization that seeks to promote self-sufficiency for people living in the area.

"Each of these programs is an excellent opportunity for families to get the help they need," Ward said. "Not only is access to needed medicine a vital component of life, but understanding how to do your taxes and become financially stable can help many get back on the right track."

The tax prep program is intended to help low-income families and individuals in filing their taxes this year. The program began Jan. 19 and will run through April 15. It is offered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Little Falls on Mondays, Brainerd on Tuesdays, and Long Prairie on Wednesdays. It is open to individuals making less than $35,000 a year or families making less than $45,000 a year.

The TCC is also providing classes for financial literacy. The classes will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout February in Little Falls, Staples and Brainerd. They will cover areas such as budgeting, predatory lending, identity theft and how to improve credit scores. The registration deadline is Thursday.

The final program the TCC will be sponsoring is one focused on providing low-income individuals with access to prescriptions. To be eligible, a person: cannot be eligible for Medicare; cannot have prescription drug coverage of any kind; and must have an income of less than $45,000 for a single individual, $60,000 for a family of two, $75,000 for a family of three, $90,000 for a family of four, or $105,000 for a family of five. For families with six or more members, they may contact the Together Rx Access Program at (800) 444-4106. For more information on this program, visit www.togetherrxaccess.com.

Those interested in more information may contact Michele Andringa at (320) 632-3691, ext. 9066.