>>Click HERE for LARGER IMAGE or Printable Version>>
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Thursday, October 1, 2020
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. HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
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.
- If your heating system is broken or inefficient, they may be able to repair or replace it for free.
- Only homeowners are eligible.
- 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.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
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
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Federal Trade Commission | Scammers and "customer service" - another imposter scam
Federal Trade Commission
Scammers and “customer service” — another imposter scam
August 5, 2020
If you want to contact a company’s customer service department, you can do a quick search online and often find what looks like its phone number or email. But is the information at the top of your search results actually correct?
Based on reports the FTC has gotten, sometimes the answer to that question is: no. Some scammers are creating fake customer service information for popular companies and paying for it to show up in your search results. When you contact them, they’ll offer to “resolve” the problem you may have — if you wire money to them or send gift cards. They might also ask for your personal information, or to get remote access to your computer.
Business imposter scams have the same end goal — getting your money or information. Here are some ways to stay safe:
- Check the product packaging. If you still have it, the packaging, manual, or other print material for your product is a good source of real customer service information.
- Visit the company’s official website for contact information. Type the company’s website address directly into your browser. That will get you to the company’s website to look for customer service contact information —maybe a phone number, email address, or a way to submit a message directly through their website. If you use a search engine to find the company, though, double check the URL to be sure you’ve found the company’s official site, not a scammer’s site.
- Never wire money, send gift cards, or give your account password in exchange for customer service help. No legitimate company will ask you to send gift cards or wire money, or give your password in exchange for customer service help. Hang up on anyone who does.
Have you spotted fake customer “service”? Report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
If you gave personal information to a business imposter, head to IdentityTheft.gov for a free, personal recovery plan and advice on how to protect your wallet.
Blog Topics:
Money & CreditThursday, June 11, 2020
Did a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility Take Your Stimulus Check?
Federal Trade Commission
Did a nursing home or assisted living facility take your stimulus check?
May 15, 2020
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.
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.
Tagged with: Attorney General, coronavirus
Credit Reports are Now FREE, Every Week
Federal Trade Commission
Credit reports are now free, every week
May 18, 2020
If you’re feeling anxious about your financial health during these uncertain times, you’re not alone. That’s why the three national credit reporting agencies are giving people weekly access to monitor their credit report — for free.
This is some helpful news, because staying on top of your credit report is one important tool to help manage your financial data. Your credit report has information about your credit history and payment history — information that lenders, creditors, and other businesses use when giving you loans or credit.
Now it’s easier than ever to check your credit more often. That’s because everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports from the three national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. To get your free reports, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. The credit reporting agencies are making these reports free for the next year.
If you’re one of the many Americans struggling to pay your bills right now because of the Coronavirus crisis, here’s what you can do:
- Contact the companies you owe money to. Ask if they can postpone your payment, put you on a payment plan, or give you a temporary forbearance.
- Check your credit report regularly to make sure it’s correct — especially any new payment arrangements or temporary forbearance. The recently passed CARES Act generally requires your creditors to report these accounts as current.
- Fix any errors or mistakes that you spot on your credit report. Notify the credit reporting agencies directly. You can find out more by reading Disputing Errors on Credit Reports.
Tagged with: coronavirus, credit report
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.
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.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
ECONOMIC SECURITY: 50+ Job Seekers Program | Virtual Platform, Any Massachusetts Resident 50+ Years Old Can Register
50 + Job Seekers
announces the first of four Town Hall style workshops.
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