BILLINGS
Thousands of senior citizens in Montana have yet to take advantage of two economic opportunities available to them through the federal government. More than 11,000 Montanans age 65 and older haven't claimed their economic stimulus payments, said Charlie Rehbein, chief of the Aging Services Bureau for state Department of Public Health and Human Services. The payments range from $300 to $600, and are part of a Bush administration plan to stimulate the struggling economy. They can be claimed by anyone who earned at least $3,000 in wages or certain benefits last year. Meanwhile, about 6,000 low-income Montanans who qualify for discounted prescription drugs through Medicare Part D haven't applied for the program. Those who qualify for extra help pay no monthly drug plan premiums, have no annual deductibles and are responsible for copays totaling less than $6 per medication per month. "This is a benefit people earned," said Mike Fierberg, a Medicare spokesman in Denver. "There is no reason for them not to take it." (AP) ___ Information from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com.
