Purchase limit rises for taxi fare coupons Participants...

Purchase limit rises for taxi fare coupons

Participants in the Handy Cab program will be allowed to purchase more coupons each month for reduced-price taxi service, the county Department of Aging announced.

Participants will be allowed to purchase up to $50 in coupons a month, an increase of $10. Each $10 coupon book is sold for $4.

Handy Cab registration is open to county residents 55 or older and those 18 or older with disabilities, subject to income limits of $17,500 annually for single applicants and $22,500 for married couple.

People who use wheelchairs or live in some rural areas receive a 25 percent bonus with each order of coupon books to compensate for higher transportation costs. Motorized wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.

About 1,300 people are enrolled in the program this year, said Marjorie P. Crain, spokeswoman for the Department of Aging. Coupons may be used to pay the fare for rides with participating taxicab companies, but the driver's tip must be paid in cash.

Documentation of age, income and disability is required to take part. For information or an application, call Handy Cab at 410-222-4222.

Calendar

Prescription costs: The county Aging and Health departments, and county legislators are sponsoring meetings at senior centers to answer questions about the high cost of prescription drugs and to provide information on new programs that might help. The sessions will be at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at Pascal Senior Center, 125 Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie; 10 a.m. Friday at South County Senior Center, 27 Stepneys Lane in Edgewater; 9:30 a.m. Monday at Brooklyn Park Senior Center, 202 Hammonds Lane; 1 p.m. Monday at Annapolis Senior Center, 1027 Bay Ridge Ave.; and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at O'Malley Senior Center, 1275 Odenton Road in Odenton.

Postcard club: A meeting to plan a postcard club will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow at South County Senior Center. . Participants must be at least 55 years old and must be members of a senior center. Information: 410-222-1927.

Grand event: South County Senior Center will sponsor a Grandparents' Day program at 1 p.m. July 25. Center members are invited to bring their grandchildren for a magic show and refreshments. Advance signup is requested. Information: 410-222-1927.

Red Cross talk: An American Red Cross representative will speak at 1 p.m. July 25 at Annapolis Senior Center. The presentation will focus on needs of the elderly. Advance registration is requested. Information: 410-222-1818.

Computer workshop: Using a computer scanner to copy documents and photographs will be the topic of a workshop from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 27 at O'Malley Senior Center. The registration fee is $3, and early signup is recommended. Information: 410-222-6227.