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Page 20 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 8, 2024 avvya yavvy eniiooravvy S iorn or v y Dear Living, Yes, there’s a low-income subsidy program called ‘Extra Help’ that assists Medicare benefi ciaries on a tight budget by paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to their Medicare (Part D) prescription drug coverage. And, thanks to the Infl ation Reduction Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law in late 2022, this program has expanded and gotten easier to qualify for in 2024. Even if you’ve applied and didn’t qualify before, you may be eligible now. The Extra Help benefi t is estimated to be worth about $5,300 per year. Currently over 13 million people are receiving this subsidy, but there’s around 3 million more who may qualify for it but don’t realize it. The amount of fi nancial assistance you would receive depends on your income and assets. If you qualify, you’ll pay no premium or deductible (unless receiving a partial subsidy), and no more than $4.50 for each generic drug or $11.20 for each brand-name drug your plan covers in 2024. To get the subsidy, your resources must be limited to $17,220 or $34,360 for married couples living together. Bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and IRAs count as assets, but your home, vehicle, personal belongings, life insurance and burial plots do not. Also, your annual income must be limited to $22,590 for an individual or $30,660 for married couples. If you support a family member who lives with you, or you live in Alaska or Hawaii, your income can be higher. In addition, the government won’t count any money if you receive help for household expenses like food, rent, mortgage payments, utilities and property taxes. How to Apply There are three ways to see if you qualify and apply for Extra Help: online at SSA.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help; by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213; or by visiting your local Social Security offi ce. The application form is easy to complete, but you will need your Social Security number and information about your bank balances, pensions and investments. Social Security will review your application and send you a letter within a few weeks letting you know whether you qualify. If you don’t qualify for Extra Help, you may still be able to get help from a state pharmacy assistance program or a patient assistance program. Visit NeedyMeds.org to search for these programs. Other Medicare Assistance If you’re eligible for Extra Help, you may also qualify for help with your other Medicare expenses through your state’s Medicare Savings Program. State Medicaid programs partner with the federal government, so income and asset qualifi cations vary depending on where you live. Medicare Savings Programs will pay your entire Medicare Part B premium each month. And in some cases, they may also pay your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, depending on your income level. To fi nd out if you qualify, contact your state Medicaid offi ce. You can also get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. Visit ShipHelp.org or call 877839-2675 to locate a counselor in your area. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. io iori by Jim Miller How to Get ‘Extra Help’ Paying for Prescriptions Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare off er any fi nancial assistance programs to help seniors with their medication costs? I recently enrolled in a Medicare drug plan, but I take some expensive medications that have high out-of-pocket costs and need some help. Living on a Shoestring OBITUARIES Helen Elizabeth (Angiuoni) Contreas Of Malden, daughter of Gaetano and Elizabeth (Gentile) Angiuoni passed away on February 27, 2024 at the age of 91 following several years of illness. Helen grew up in Woburn, one of fi ve sisters. She worked for Adams Chapman, a poultry and egg distributor, for many years as a bookkeeper. She met her husband Alfred while they were both working at Adams Chapman. They were married in 1965, and lived in Melrose before moving to Malden where they lived for 47 years. Helen was on her high school bowling team, and continued her love of the game throughLEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BID ROOSEVELT PARK IMPROVEMENTS MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS THE CITY OF MALDEN invites sealed bids for improvements to Roosevelt Park adjacent to the Salemwood School located at 529 Salem Street. In general, the project includes the replacement of an existing natural grass field with a new multi-use synthetic turf field. The new field will include two (2) softball fields with a rectangular field overlaying the outfields and related site improvements. The related site improvements will include site-wide removal and legal disposal of historic (urban) fill and the construction of a new direct contact barrier consisting of the various surface materials, related system components, base courses and drainage layers, and clean imported gravel borrow beneath; improved site and field grading and drainage; new backstops, player bench areas, athletic fencing and athletic ball netting systems; basketball shooting areas; improvements to an outdoor classroom; ADA compliant walks; site fencing; seat walls; landscaping including shade trees and lawns; and related appurtenant and incidental work, all as shown on the Contract Drawings and as specified in the Contract Documents. Bids will be received at the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor, Room 350, Malden, MA 02148, until 1:00 pm local time on Thursday, April 11, 2024 and at that place and time will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids shall be delivered to OSPCD prior to this date and time. Bids may be delivered Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, and Tuesday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. The office is closed on Fridays. Bids shall not be deposited in the City of Malden Drop Box located outside of the main entrance to Malden City Hall. The Bidder is solely responsible for delivery of bids by the prescribed date and time and assumes the risk of any delay due to mail or other delivery method. Contract Documents may be obtained electronically only from Hayner/Swanson, Inc. beginning Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:00 am. Requests for electronic files may be made by email only to Paul Hayner, Hayner/Swanson, Inc., at phayner@hayner-swanson.com. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Conference Room No. 105 at Malden City Hall. A site visit will be held immediately following the pre-bid conference for interested parties. The bids shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security, satisfactory to the City, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the total bid. The bid security shall be in the form of a bid bond issued by a company licensed to do business in the Commonwealth; or a certified, treasurer’s or cashier’s check, issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to the “City of Malden, Massachusetts”. Cash deposits will not be accepted. A Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Payment Bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the bid will be required of the successful bidder. Contracts for work under this Proposal will obligate the Contractor and Subcontractors to comply with applicable Federal, State and local provisions regarding prevailing wage rates, insurances, labor, equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination and affirmative action. Bids may be held by the City of Malden for a period not to exceed sixty (60) calendar days from the date of the opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders prior to awarding the Contract. The City of Malden reserves the right to waive any informalities or to reject any or all bids received if deemed to be in their best interest. CITY OF MALDEN Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Deborah A. Burke, Director March 8, 2024 out her life, participating in bowling leagues into her 80s. She was also a faithful parishioner at Sacred Hearts Church in Malden, serving as both an altar server and as a Eucharistic minister. She was a generous contributor to many charities focusing on the mission work of the church and children in need. She was accomplished in embroidery, cross stitch, and crochet, making lovely items she gave as gifts to friends and family. She enjoyed family occasions with her sisters, nieces and nephews and their families, making birthday cakes for many of them. Helen is predeceased by her parents, and her sisters Mary Doucette and Anna Casey. She is survived by her husband Alfred, and her sisters Esther Morse and Elizabeth DeLorey, several nieces and nephews, grand nephews and nieces, and great-grand nieces and nephews. The funeral was held from the Weir-MacCuish Funeral Home, on Tuesday, March 5. A funeral mass was held at Sacred Hearts Church, Malden, MA. Burial followed at the Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden. Judith A. Taylor A longtime resident of Malden, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 4, in her OBIT| SEE PAGE 21 LEGAL NOTICE

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