It’s like money in the bank.

The Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, which provides tax relief for homeowners or renters of any age who live in Maine, is up and running. But to receive a refund, you must meet the following qualifying guidelines for the general program which are listed on the form:

. You were a Maine resident for the entire 12 months of 2006.

. You owned or rented a home in Maine for all of 2006 and lived in it for at least six months of that year.

. You lived alone and total household income in 2006 was $80,750 or less; or you lived with a spouse or dependents and had a total household income in 2006 of $102,750.

. You had a 2006 property tax bill that was more than four percent of total household income, or you paid rent in 2006 that was more than 20 percent of total household income.

The form states, “Seniors do not need to meet this requirement when their income is not more that $13,200 for those living alone, or not more than $16,300 when living with a spouse or dependent.” Seniors who are over these income limits may file under the general program.

“This refund program helps many seniors by putting money back in their pockets, which can help with rising fuel and utility costs,” said Val Sauda, director of community services at Eastern Agency on Aging. “We have the form available, and consultants are trained to help any person age 60 or older complete it.”

If you filed income tax in 2006, bring a copy of your federal and Maine return. If you did not file a tax return for 2006, you will need your bank statements for 2006, the 1099 form that reports your 2006 Social Security earnings, papers that show any other earnings, and a copy of your property tax bill or rent receipts.

The deadline for filing is June 2, 2008. Now while that is ten months away, the faster you file – the faster you will get your refund, so there is no reason to wait.

“Some folks complete the application themselves, and want us to review it before it is sent, and we are happy to do that,” said Sauda. “We can also talk seniors through the process on the phone or, if they prefer, we’ll sit down with them and complete the application together. In the event they are unable to get into our office, we are happy to make home visits. Eastern Agency is eager to provide assistance.”

EAA is currently taking appointments for Tuesdays. Call 941-2865.

Robin Long, assistant director of Caring Connections and facilitator of its bone health group, wants you to know that Luana Wilbur, clinical research director of Eye Center Northeast, will be the guest speaker at the Bone Health Information and Discussion Group at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Bangor Y on Second Street.

Wilbur will discuss eye disorders such as glaucoma, dry and wet macular degeneration, as well as all the new and exciting ophthalmology research being conducted at Eye Center Northeast. She also will discuss the guidelines for becoming a study participant.

Now you may be wondering what eye health has to do with bone health.

“Well, vision problems can lead to falls, which can be particularly dangerous for those with osteoporosis,” said Long. “This talk is free to the public, and anyone interested in the topic is welcome to attend.”

To obtain information or to register, call Robin Long at 941-2808.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. E-mail Carol Higgins at chiggins@eaaa.org. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, or toll-free 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org, or log on EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.