WCCF Donors offering $100,000.00 in Fall Grant Cycle

WCCF has opened their Fall Grant Cycle.  Funds for the $100,000 grant cycle are made possible through our generous donors and the Foundation’s Touch Tomorrow Funds.

Grant applications for the fall grant cycle are available by calling the WCCF office or by clicking here to download an application.  The application deadline will be 3:30pm, September 3, 2025.

For more information or to request an application, you may call Judy Johnson or Lindsey Wade-Swift at the Foundation office. The number is (812) 883-7334.

Are there any resources that can help seniors locate affordable housing on a budget?

Finding affordable senior housing options can be challenging depending on location. Senior apartments for retirees are a good option, and you will be happy to know that there are several government programs that can offer financial help. Here are some tips that can help you locate an apartment that fits your budget and living preferences.

Start with HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of resources that can help low-income individuals locate and pay for housing. Here are three different programs to consider.

• Privately owned subsidized apartments: HUD helps many apartment owners across the country offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. To search for subsidized apartments in your area, visit hud.gov.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This program allows low-income families, older adults, and disabled individuals access to decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. The housing subsidy is paid to the landlord each month. The renter would then pay the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. To learn more or apply, contact your local public housing agency. Visit gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-tenants for more information or call 800-955-2232.
• Public housing: This low-income housing option comes in all sizes and types, from single-family houses to high-rise apartments. Your local public housing agency is the best resource for locating public housing in your area.

If you need more help or housing advice, contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you. Visit HUD4.my.site.com/housingcounseling or call 800-569-4287 for contact information.

How to Choose

If you find several apartment choices that fall within your budget, consider what factors are most important. Proximity to family, religious organizations, senior centers or frequently visited places like grocery stores, parks, or gyms can make a big difference in daily life.

For individuals with disabilities, it may be especially important to choose housing that offers convenient access to essential services such as senior transportation and health care facilities.

In your housing search, you may come across red flags that suggest a retirement community may not be the right fit. Keep an eye out for extra fees on everyday items or services that you normally would not think about like laundry service, parking or pets.

You should also make sure that the apartment is in good condition and take time to explore the neighborhood. Ask yourself if the community appears clean and well-maintained, and look for signs of neglect like debris, unkept landscaping or general disrepair. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, follow up with questions before signing a rental agreement.

Other Programs

In addition to affordable housing, there are a number of other financial assistance programs that may help cover the cost of food, medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, check your eligibility and apply, visit BenefitsCheckUp.org to learn more about available programs near you.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

In the recent Presidential election, both candidates supported the concept of removing taxes on overtime. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, created an overtime exclusion of up to $12,500 for years 2025 to 2028. The overtime pay must be in excess of the normal full-time pay rate. If an employee earns $18 per hour and is paid $27 per hour for overtime, only the $9 added pay is deductible.

There is a limited exclusion of up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) for overtime income. The overtime exclusion applies to taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income of $150,000 ($300,000 for a joint return). There is a 10% phaseout above those levels. The overtime benefit phases out for single taxpayers with income of $275,000 and for joint taxpayers with income over $425,000.

The overtime exclusion will be subject to Treasury Secretary regulations to define the methods for determining regular and overtime compensation. Generally, the definitions will follow Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This law generally limits overtime to the amount of time over 40 hours per week. All overtime pay will still be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.

The overtime deduction will also be allowed in addition to the standard deduction. It is not necessary to itemize to qualify for the overtime deduction. There will be a reporting requirement for employers to designate the amount of overtime. This information will also be reported to the IRS.

Editor’s Note: Because most employees qualify for the overtime deduction, there may be attempts to structure compensation plans to maximize overtime. The Treasury Secretary is likely to be quite specific in listing the qualified overtime rules to limit potential improper use of this deduction.

What kinds of treatments are available to treat dry eyes?

Dry eyes are a very common problem that affects an estimated 16 million Americans. However, there are lifestyle adjustments and multiple treatment options available to keep your eyes moist and healthy. Here is what you should know.

Dry Eye Problems

Dry, red, burning, irritated eyes are one of the most common reasons for visits to the eye doctor, but discomfort is not the only problem that comes with dry eyes. Light sensitivity, blurred, and fluctuating vision are other common problems too. In addition, dry eyes are more likely to get scratched or infected, which could damage your vision permanently.

The reason people experience dry eyes is because they either do not produce enough tears to keep their eyes properly lubricated, or because they produce poor quality tears. In some cases, dry eyes can be triggered by medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome. Dry eyes can also result from aging, since tear production tends to diminish over time. Other contributing factors include eye conditions, eyelid problems, certain medications, environmental factors and even procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery.

Lifestyle Adjustments

The first step experts recommend in dealing with dry eyes is to check your lifestyle and surroundings for factors that might be contributing to the problem and make these adjustments: 

• Avoid blowing air: Keep your eyes away from air vents, hair dryers, oscillating and ceiling fans and consider buying a home humidifier.
• Blink more: When you are reading, watching television, or using a smartphone, tablet or computer, take frequent breaks because these activities cause you to blink less often.
• Avoid irritants: Avoid smoke-filled places and if you swim, wear goggles to cut down on exposure to chemicals.
• Use moisture chamber eyeglasses: These goggles/glasses wrap around the sides of your face to seal off your eyes from wind, dust and other drying irritants. These are available in many styles and can be made with prescription lenses.
• Check your meds: Dozens of prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) drugs like antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, tranquilizers and Parkinson’s medications can all cause dry eyes. If you are taking any of these, ask your doctor about alternatives.
• Consume more omega-3s: Studies show that eating more fish and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (or taking an omega-3 supplement) may help relieve dry eye symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Treatment Options

If adjusting your environment and habits do not offer enough support, there are a variety of OTC eye drops called artificial tears, along with moisturizing gels and ointments that may help your eyes feel better. If you experience a lot of burning, try another product or opt for a preservative-free formula. If you have itchy dry eyes, you may get more relief from antihistamine eye drops, like olopatadine and ketotifen, or decongestant eye drops with active ingredients like naphazoline and glycerin.

If the lifestyle and OTC treatments do not help, see an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist can offer additional advice and may prescribe a medication. If your dry eye is severe and does not improve, your doctor might recommend some office procedures like punctal plugs, thermal pulsation, meibomian gland expression and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. These procedures target the underlying causes of dry eye, such as meibomian gland dysfunction or tear drainage issues.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.