Thursday, February 23, 2023

Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation - Xarelto, Imbruvica,

>>Click HERE to link to Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation for Additional Info>>

>>Click HERE for LARGER IMAGE or Printable Version>>

Review this guide to learn more about Janssen’s patient assistance offering, including details on eligibility, eligible Janssen medications, and a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.

>>Click HERE to Link to Janssen Eligibility Requirements>>

>>Click HERE to Link to Janssen for Medicare Clients>>

To qualify for the program, 4% of your gross annual household income must be spent on out-of-pocket prescription expenses for you and/or other members of your household.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Peabody Police, Schools Launch Autism Awareness Safety Program

>>Click HERE to Link to Complete Peabody Police Autism Form>>

Peabody Police, Schools Launch Autism Awareness Safety Program

The program allows families and students to register with the department so that information will be available for any police interactions.

Scott Souza,Patch Staff

Posted Wed, Feb 8, 2023 at 2:41 pm ET

"It's a wonderful program. The seatbelt covers really could prevent a lot of misinformation or, under a worst-case scenario, (a threat to) somebody's safety." - Peabody School Committee member John Olimpio (Peabody Police Department)

PEABODY, MA — A new program designed to alert Peabody police officers that those they may interact with during the course of a traffic stop or other police business may be on the autism scale and require special considerations is now accepting registrations.

Under the Autism Awareness Program, families and students can register with the police department with a name, vehicle description, and photo to then receive a special seatbelt cover that will signal to officers that the person is on the autism scale, or has another related disability, and may not be receptive to certain instructions or actions perceived to be aggressive.

The voluntary program will allow dispatchers to relay that information to officers in the case of a traffic stop or other similar interaction and could include likes/dislikes, communication techniques, and other information tailored to each individual to assist in those interactions with law enforcement.

"It's really for the safety of everybody," Peabody School Committee member John Olimpio said at Tuesday's School Committee meeting. "In this day and age, nothing is routine. If you get pulled over for a traffic stop with somebody who is on the spectrum of autism, or has another disability, it just gives the police a little bit more information on who they are dealing with."

Those with someone who may be traveling with them who qualifies can fill out the registration form here. The form includes uploading a current photograph of the person using the seatbelt cover and submitting the requested documents.

Find out what's happening in Peabodywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Once received, a member of the Peabody Police Department will contact the first emergency contact listed to verify receipt of the registration. Unverified contacts will not have the information entered.

Upon verification, the information will be kept on file with Peabody police. Police encourage updated information on a periodic basis, including recent photos, address changes or emergency contact information changes.

"It's a wonderful program," said Olimpio, who worked with Police Chief Thomas Griffin and Lt. David Bonfanti for multiple years to bring the program online. "The seatbelt covers really could prevent a lot of misinformation or, under a worst-case scenario, (a threat to) somebody's safety."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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Tuesday, February 14, 2023

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Formerly Food Stamps

SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps)

SNAP ASSISTANCE
Seniors living on a fixed income may be eligible for SNAP benefits. The FoodSource Hotline can help with applications on the telephone. They also assists current SNAP recipients with questions regarding their cases as well as referrals for local emergency food resources.
The Food/Source Hotline is open
Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and
Saturday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.
The Food/Source Hotline phone number is 1-800-645-8333.

GOOD NEWS FOR SENIORS
Help is Available to Beat the High Cost of Food

If you are a low-income senior (age 60 or over), you may now qualify for food assistance through the SNAP Program, even if you own a home or a car or have savings. Thanks to new changes to the SNAP program, there is no asset limit for seniors whose incomes fall within certain guidelines (income from those assets may be counted); and other program improvements have increased benefits for thousands of households. (Seniors whose incomes fall above the guidelines may still be eligible, but their assets will be considered.)

New Asset Rules for Senior/Disabled Households

Household Size Monthly Gross Income Assets

1 Below $2,510 No Asset Limit
2 Below $3,407 No Asset Limit

SNAP eligibility is based on income and certain expenses. To find out if you are eligible, call Project Bread’s Hotline at
1-800-645-8333

Monday—Friday 8:00 AM–7:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM–2 PM.

The SNAP program is a nutrition assistance program designed to help individuals and families buy nutritious food when money’s tight.

Keep elderly family members independent. For the elderly, participation can help improve nutritional status and well-being and increase independence. Nine percent of participants are age 60 or older.
By receiving SNAP benefits you are not taking benefits away from another person. Everyone who applies and is determined to be eligible by the State/local eligibility worker will get SNAP benefits.
While some receive $10.00, the average monthly food stamp benefit is about $86.00.
In June 2004, the food stamp program completed a transformation from paper coupons to an electronic Benefit Card (EBT Card). Participants receive a plastic EBT card (similar to a bank debit card) with the dollar amount for which they are eligible each month.

The SNAP program generates economic activity.

Every $4.00 in new SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in total community spending.
Every additional dollars worth of SNAP benefits generates 17 to 47 cents of new spending on food.
On average, $1 billion of retail food demand by SNAP recipients generates 3,300 farm jobs.

Call your local office to apply at 978-825-7300.

If you need assistance to apply, please call Sheila, Maryanne, Amber or Sandra at 978-531-2254.

<<Click HERE for Additional more Info>>

Apply for Benefits Online:

<< Click HERE for Additional Info >>

Fill-able Print-able SNAP Application

Complete and print a fill-able application provided here. Please note, the Adobe Acrobat Reader only allows you to view and print fill-able PDF forms. It does not allow you to save the completed form to your computer. Once you complete the application, make sure you print it, sign it, and mail to: DTA P.O. Box 4406 Taunton, MA 02780-0420.

SNAP Benefits Application (English) Fill-able PDF Application Checklist page 12

Arabic SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 434.22 KB)

Chinese SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 545.38 KB)

PDF version

French SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 553.95 KB)
PDF version

Haitian Creole SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 553.92 KB)
PDF version

Italian SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 562.72 KB)
PDF version

Khmer SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 582.17 KB)
PDF version

Korean SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 398.35 KB)
PDF version

Polish SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 537.62 KB)
PDF version

Portuguese SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 737.2 KB)
PDF version (fillable)

Russian SNAP Benefits application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 545.5 KB)
PDF version

Spanish SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 750.76 KB)
PDF version (fillable)

Vietnamese SNAP Benefits Application (SNAPA-1) (PDF 494.3 KB)
PDF version

PDF version

SNAP Application for Seniors

To help us determine your eligibility for SNAP benefits, you may be asked to provide proofs (verifications) of certain statements you have made. You may submit those proofs (verifications) by mailing or faxing them to DTA. Here is the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Electronic Document Management (EDM) Mail/Fax Cover Sheet: (DTA EDM Mail/Fax Cover Sheet - ENGLISH)

Need Help Buying Groceries? SNAP Can Help!

>>Click HERE for LARGER IMAGE or Printable Version of SNAP Eligibility>>

>>Click HERE to Link to DTACONNECT.COM for Additional Info on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program >>

Friday, February 10, 2023

Federal Trade Commission | Consumer Alert | Protect your Medicare number, your other info, and your money

>>Click HERE to Link to Federal Trade Commission for Additional Info>>

>>Click HERE to Download or Printable Version>>

Protect your Medicare number, your other info, and your money

Bridget Small

June 6, 2022

Last year, the FTC got almost a million reports about impersonation scammers — fake government agents, pretend grandkids, bogus sweethearts, and others who took almost $2.3 billion from people across the country. So far this year, impersonation scams are still the most-reported fraud.

Scammers keep changing their stories to catch you off-guard. Some scams even ask you for your Medicare number. If anyone surprises you with a call, email, text, or message on social media and asks for money or personal information — no matter what story they tell — it’s most likely a scam.

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week this week, learn about protecting your number from health care fraud. Then, take steps to keep impersonators away from your money and valuable information:

Reduce unwanted calls and email

Use call blocking technology or devices that stop unwanted calls — like scams calls and illegal robocalls — before they reach you.

Use email spam filters to reduce phishing scam attempts, and set your computer software to update automatically.

Keep information private

Medicare won’t call or text to ask you for money. Even if your Caller ID says it's Medicare, it could be faked. Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone who calls, emails, or texts saying they are from a government agency.

Don’t click links or open attachments in email and text messages, even if they seem to come from Medicare or a company you know. They could be messages phishing for your account numbers, passwords, or other information.

Protect your money

Refuse to pay anyone who demands payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Only scammers tell you to pay these ways. It’s hard to track those payments, and almost impossible to get your money back.

If you suspect a scam, tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Property Fraud Watch | Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds

>>Click HERE to link to Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds for Additional Info>>

>>Click HERE for Larger Image or Printable Version of Property Fraud Watch Alert>>

Friday, February 3, 2023

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line | Call or Text 833-773-2445

>>Click HERE to link to Mass.gov for Additional Info>>

>>Click HERE for Larger Image or Printable Version of Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline FAQ>>

Home / FAQ

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Behavioral Health Help Line?

The Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call for real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment.

How does it work?

The BHHL is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone call and text at 833-773-2445 (BHHL), and online chat at masshelpline.com.

When I contact the BHHL, who answers?

The BHHL is staffed by trained clinicians and certified peer specialists to support every caller’s needs. Every call, text, or chat conversation includes follow up by trained clinicians, and staff will remain on the line with you until you are connected to the help you need.

Who can use the BHHL?

Everyone! The BHHL is for anyone in Massachusetts, including LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, individuals with disabilities, and individuals whose first language is not English.

If I do not speak English, can I call?

The BHHL is available in more than 200 languages. Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing can also use the BHHL by contacting MassRelay at 711.

How much does it cost, and do I need to have health insurance?

The BHHL is free and available to all Massachusetts residents, even if you do not have insurance.

If I’m concerned about my child or friend, can I call to get help for them?

Yes – you can call to get help for yourself or for someone you care about, including children and other family members.

I’ve tried to get help before, and it didn’t work out. How is this different?

A trained, caring staff member will work with you to figure out what treatment may be helpful to you and will help you navigate the process. They and will stay on the line with you until you have been connected to the help that best fits your individual needs and will follow up with you afterward to make sure that your needs are being met.

Will I be able to access services or treatment in my own community?

Yes. The BHHL connects people to treatment in their community, including one of the new Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) across the state. The BHHL uses a comprehensive directory of mental health and substance use treatment providers.

What kinds of mental health or substance use issues can I call about?

The BHHL can help with any mental health or substance use concern. Maybe you’re sad or anxious, or worried about drug or alcohol use. Even if you’re not quite sure what the problem is or what kind of help you need, the BHHL staff will listen and connect you with care for yourself or a loved one.

For a mental health crisis, should I go to the emergency room or call the BHHL?

The BHHL is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and can directly connect you with crisis support in your community. The BHHL connects callers to 911 when needed for immediate safety. You can also visit a Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHCs) in your area for crisis intervention.