Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Fuel Assistance


LOW INCOME
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
Low-income families and individuals can get help with the cost of heating their homes, even if they rent. Fuel assistance is available to income-eligible applicants. Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older.

 Applicants may apply from November 1 to April 30.  To make an appointment, call
NSCAP at 978-531-077 x136


Are you an existing fuel assistance client? If so, you may be eligible for the following:
Free Refrigerator or Freezer

  • If your refrigerator or freezer is not energy efficient, they may be able to replace it for free.
  • They also install energy efficient light bulbs that will help you save money on your electric bill.
  • Their energy manager will educate you on other ways you can save money on your electric bill.
  • Renters and homeowners are eligible, but you must be a National Grid customer.
Free Heating System Repair or Replacement
  • If your heating system is broken or inefficient, they may be able to repair or replace it for free.
  • Only homeowners are eligible.
Free Insulation and Weatherization
  • If your home or apartment needs insulation or weatherization, they may be able to install them at no cost to you. All work is done by insured contractors.
  • Renters and homeowners are eligible.
To learn more, call NSCAP at 978-531-0767 x118

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Know Plan Prepare - Booklet

This information is being shared by Peabody TRIAD in honor of National Preparedness Month. The Peabody TRIAD Council consists of Seniors and Law Enforcement working together to develop and implement policies and programs to reduce criminal victimization, promote crime prevention and safety awareness, and serve the needs of the senior community in Peabody. In addition, the Council designs and supports programs to improve the quality of life for our senior citizens. The Peabody TRIAD Council believes they have the ability to make a difference in our community and are dedicated to serving our city and its residents.  

This planning and preparedness tool was created using the CMIST (communication, medical needs/maintaining health, independence, service/support, and transportation) framework. It is intended to be used as starting point for at-risk individuals and those with access and functional needs to think about what they need to support their daily living activities during and after a disaster, and includes space to record their personalized information. 

>>Click HERE for Printable Version or to Read Publication>>

 


Mass Health Checklist



MassHealth Application Checklist

This checklist is intended for use by SHINE clients who are applying for MassHealth.  It includes some of the most common verifications requested of MassHealth applicants who are 65 years or older.  Keep in mind that MassHealth may request additional documentation, but providing as much of the following information as possible could decrease the amount of time it takes to receive a decision.

¨  For U.S. citizens: copy of U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization (unless receiving Social Security benefits)
¨  For U.S. citizens: Copy of driver’s license, state identification card, or other government-issued photo identification (unless receiving Social Security benefits)
¨  For non-citizens:  Copy of legal permanent resident card, work authorization card, I-94 form, or visa (unless receiving Social Security benefits)
¨  Copy of Medicare Card
¨  Copy of any other medical insurance, dental insurance, or vision insurance cards (both sides)
¨  Proof of all GROSS income, such as 2 recent paystubs, pension stub, unemployment stub, etc. (not including Social Security benefits)
¨  If applicant/spouse own a rental property:
¨  Proof of rent amount, such as statement from tenant(s) or current lease
¨  12 months of mortgage statements
¨  12 months of property tax bills
¨  12 months of utility bills, if paid by landlord
¨  12 months of water/sewer bills, if paid by landlord
¨  Current homeowner’s insurance statement
¨  Copies of bills/invoices for any repairs and maintenance in past 12 mos.
¨  Verification of co-op or condo fee
¨  Copy of most recent account statements for all bank accounts, including certificate of deposits and burial accounts
¨  Copy of recent account statements for any other investment accounts
¨  Copy of deed and current tax bill for all real estate
¨  Copy of registration and proof of amount owed for all vehicles
¨  Verification of life insurance face value and current cash surrender value
¨  Copy of any pre-paid burial contracts with itemized list of goods and services purchased





 


Thursday, June 11, 2020

Did a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility Take Your Stimulus Check?

Federal Trade Commission

Federal Trade Commission


Did a nursing home or assisted living facility take your stimulus check?

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Do you or a loved one live in a nursing home or assisted living facility? Are you (or they) on Medicaid? If you said “yes” to both, please read on and prepare to get mad. We’ve been hearing that some facilities are trying to take the stimulus payments intended for their residents on Medicaid. Then they’re requiring those people to sign over those funds to the facility. Why? Well, they’re claiming that, because the person is on Medicaid, the facility gets to keep the stimulus payment.

But here’s the deal: those economic impact payments are, according to the CARES Act, a tax credit. And tax law says that tax credits don’t count as “resources” for federal benefits programs, like Medicaid. So: when Congress calls these payments “tax credits” in the CARES Act, that means the government can’t seize them. Which means nursing homes and assisted living facilities can’t take that money from their residents just because they’re on Medicaid. And, if they took it already, get in touch with your state attorney general and ask them to help you get it back.

This is not just a horror story making the rounds. These are actual reports that our friends in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office have been getting – and handling. Other states have seen the same.
If you’ve experienced this already, tell your state attorney general’s office first, and then tell the FTC: ftc.gov/complaint. If a loved one lives in a nursing facility and you’re not sure what happened to their payment, talk with them soon. And consider having a chat with the facility’s management to make sure they know which side of the law to be on.

Need more back-up? Then let me get legal on you for a minute. You can go right here to get the federal tax law that says refunds aren’t considered a “resource” in federal benefits programs. And you can click this link to get the Congressional Summary that talks about the funds as tax credits not countable as resources for federal government programs. (It’s on page 3.) And here’s even more helpful information from the National Center on Law & Elder Rights for people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Again, though: if this has happened to you or a loved one, find your state attorney general’s office contact information at naag.org and talk with them right away.

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Make the Connection l An Online Resource Tool to Connect Veterans to Information & Resources

>>Click HERE to link to MakeTheConnection.net for additional info>>

MakeTheConnection.net is an online resource designed to connect Veterans, their family members and friends, and other supporters with information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their lives.