Extra Prescription Drugs in your Cabinet? How to get rid of them properly

People who’s medication has expired or people who did not finish a prescribed medication often find themselves throwing their unwanted pills in the trash can or flushing them down the toilet. Both of these can be dangerous. If you throw them in the trash a person can find your pills and abuse them. If you flush them down the toilet you may be contaminating the water supply.

The best way to get rid of an unwanted or unused prescription is to utilize Take-Back programs that most counties have. You can return your unwanted prescription to a pharmacy near you. If there is not a take-back program in your area follow these steps

  1. Remove the pills from the bottle, this will make it harder for addicts rummaging through your trash to tell what the pills are.
  2. Put the pills in a bag with something undesirable (i.e. used kitty litter, mud, or coffee grounds) DO NOT mix them with household cleaners as a reaction might occur.
  3. Seal the bag and throw the entire thing away.

For more information of prescription drug abuse or for more information on disposing of unwanted medication you can visit www.dea.gov.

Frequently Asked Mobile Home Question: Value

How does the county assessor determine the value of my manufactured home?

Manufactured homes are subject to Proposition 13 under which the county assessor determines the base year value of a manufactured home, which is generally the market value at the time of purchase. After the first assessment annual increases to the base year value are limited to the inflation rate, as measured by the California Consumer Price Index, or 2 percent, whichever is less. Any new construction will have its own separate base year value. When the manufactured home is sold, it will be reassessed at its current fair market value and a new base year value will be established. If your manufactured home is located on land that you own, the land will be assessed separately. If you live in a tenant-owned mobilehome park, a different rule may apply.

The basic structure is assessable as well as all accessories, including, but not limited to: awnings, fences, windbreakers, storage cabinets, heaters, carport, water coolers, cabanas, porches, and skirting.

Section 5803(b) of the Revenue and Taxation Code specifically provides that the assessed value of a manufactured home on leased or rental land is not to include any value attributable to the land where the home is located. This means that the county assessor must not increase the value of your mobile home because of positive location nor decrease the value because of negative location.

Veterans are Being Targeted by Money Hungry Senior Living Facilities

Not all scams are preformed by people in the shadows, there are some people that will lie to your face in order to profit from your misfortune. This is what is happening to many of our countries veterans. Senior living facilities with incredibly high rents are luring in our nations veterans by promising to get them much needed VA benefits.

In one instance a WWII Veteran was told by a facility that he must move in in order to qualify for assistance. The manager of the facility paired him with a VA claim-filling “advocacy group” and he was guaranteed the acquisition of benefits. In this case the veterans income was far too high to qualify for benefits but not high enough to keep up with the cost of living in the facility. After a year and no awarded benefits he was broke and evicted from the facility.

To prevent this from happening to you, your friend or someone in your family keep an eye out for red flags. If a facility promises that you or your loved one WILL receive benefits use caution. No facility can promise this as each VA program is different. Generally these are the things they are looking for in order for you to qualify for benefits:

  1. Income guidelines. Often times other government benefits end up pushing you over the income limit.
  2. You must have served within certain years or be a certain age.
  3. For some programs, you must prove that the Veteran needs daily assistance with tasks such as bathing and dressing.

Also be on the look out for facilities that claim any of the following regarding benefits.

  1. Moving into a facility is required to qualify – This is not true a veteran can live with a family member or on their own and still qualify for benefits.
  2. Guaranteed Benefits upon move in. – This is also not true. There is no guarantee of benefits. You must qualify based on the criteria set forth by your specified VA program.
  3. VA “Advocacy Group” will fill out your benefit request for a small fee- THIS IS ILLIGAL. No fee can be collected to complete and submit claims on behalf of a veteran.

Rental Assistance for Low Income Mobile Home Owners in Orange County

RAPLogoIf you are struggling to pay your rent there is a program in Orange County that was set-up to assist you while you wait for a Section 8 housing voucher to become available. It is a privately funded program, sponsored by local Park Owners and administered by MHET. You must meet specific guidelines to qualify for the program. If you feel you may qualify or would like more information or to request an application packet please call the Mobile Home Rental Assistance Program (RAP) 949-380-3311.

How to prepare your home for an Earthquake and what to do after one occurs.

California has experienced quite a few earthquakes in the last few months and it is suspected that there are more to come. Most people have prepared plans with their families on what to do to protect themselves during an earthquake. You know to take cover away from all windows and large pieces of furniture but what should you do to prepare your home?

The first step is to make sure all large pieces of furniture and hot water heaters are secured to the walls. You also want to make sure that you do not have any heavy objects over your bed such as large framed pictures or mirrors, although these may look great the risk of them falling off the wall in a large quake are great. If the quake struck at night the risk of you getting crushed by these objects is even greater.

Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Many times a large earthquake will disrupt gas connections. The carbon monoxide detector will warn you if there are unsafe levels in your home and you will have time to leave safely. You can also call the gas company and have them come out to do an inspection of your home to make sure that there are not any leaks and that all connections are still secure.

If the power is out try to use only battery-powered lanterns. If there is a gas leak lighting candles can ignite a fire. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Open all cabinets carefully, especially if there are heavy or potentially harmful martials inside. The earthquake might have shifted the objects around and they may fall on you so be cautious.