Entergy Mississippi, Inc. Announces Available Stimulus Payments
Contact: Mara M. Hartmann
(601) 969-2520 (office)
(601) 594-9042 (cell)
mhartma@entergy.com
Entergy Mississippi, Inc. Urges Eligible Senior Citizens, Veterans to File for Stimulus Payments
Nearly $200 Million Unclaimed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas
Jackson, Miss. – Almost $200 million in economic stimulus payments are sitting in government coffers because more than 660,000 eligible senior citizens, veterans and others in the mid-South have not filed for their share of government funds.
As many as 70,880 in Mississippi are eligible but have not yet filed for their federal economic stimulus payments, according to information supplied by the IRS. Every county in the state has residents who have not yet filed for their economic stimulus payments.
“With energy prices at all time highs and other essential costs rising to keep pace, it’s more important than ever that those who are eligible file for their federal economic stimulus payments,” said Linda Barnes, manager of low-income initiatives at Entergy Corporation. “And their time is starting to run short. Those eligible only have until Oct. 15 to file the appropriate paperwork to receive their payment this year.”
As part of its low-income program, Entergy routinely partners with the Internal Revenue Service and other agencies to spread word of available programs that can aid the poor, elderly, disabled and veteran populations in the states its utilities serve.
People who have tended not to file for the payments normally don’t file federal tax returns because their income is too low or is not subject to federal income taxes. However, if they want to receive an economic stimulus payment in 2008, they must file Form 1040A by Oct. 15. Those eligible include people who receive at least $3,000 in earnings and/or benefits from Social Security, disability payments from the Veterans Administration, or a retired railroad worker’s pension. For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus $300 for each qualifying child.
If assistance is needed in filling out the paperwork, free help is available at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. Please call the IRS at 1-866-234-2942. For a list of local centers and hours of operations, go to www.irs.gov, use the link “Contact IRS” and then click on “Contact your local office.”
“We have to do everything we can to let our elderly and disabled citizens and veterans know they may be eligible for a minimum $300 payment from the federal government,” Barnes said. “It can make a huge difference in their lives with the financial pressures they are facing today.”
Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 433,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.6 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
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Entergy Mississippi’s online address is www.entergy-mississippi.com.