PHLP Reports That CHC Plans Cannot Reduce Existing Services during COVID-19
The Pennsylvania Health Law Project is alerting consumers and home health providers that Community Health Choices (CHC) plans are not allowed to reduce existing home and community-based waiver services, including personal assistance services (PAS) and in-home nursing, during the COVID-19 emergency.
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Get Moving with the Beaver County YMCA
Do you need to get some exercise while we still have to social distance a while longer? Well, you can do it with some local Beaver County YMCA fitness specialists. Visit facebook.com/BeaverCountyYMCA or search Beaver County YMCA on youtube.com for videos on strengthening your muscles, strengthening your core, circuit, breathing and relaxation, piloting, tai chi, turbo kick, piyo and more.
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Beaver County Radio Has Multiple Church Services Available on Sundays
Beaver County Radio includes 1230 AM WBVP, 1460 AM WMBA,99.3 FM and Beaver County Radio live stream has a large line up of church services on the air as churches are closed during the Coronavirus pandemic. Sunday starts with Sounds of Faith, an inspirational segment of worship and praise music from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. It is followed live Mass from St. Monica Catholic Church in Chippewa Township at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., a recorded broadcast from First Presbyterian Church in Rochester features Rev. Lee Bittner along with special music by Mike Neely. Pastor Jan Davis from Central United Methodist Church, Beaver Falls, will engage listeners with a recorded sermon. At noon, Senior Pastor Cliff Reynolds of Word Alive Church in Ellwood City will have a recorded message. A live broadcast from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. will be aired from New Galilee Church of the Nazarene featuring Pastor Andy Russell speaking from the “drive-in church” pulpit. You can pull up, park, and tune the car radio to any of the Beaver County Radio stations to hear his Sunday message. Pastor Rod Smith from Mountain Ministries presents his recorded message, Good News from the Mountain, at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
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Pennsylvanians Protected from Foreclosures and Evictions Through July 10
Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order which protects Pennsylvanians from foreclosures or evictions through July 10, 2020. The action builds on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court order which closed court eviction proceedings through May 11 and ensures no renter or homeowner will be removed from their home for 60 more days. In almost all circumstances, homeowners or renters are required to continue making monthly payments. If you are struggling to make your monthly payments, contact your landlord or mortgage servicer immediately.
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Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Educates Customers about Rights and Responsibilities
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner (PUC) educates customers about their rights and responsibilities, assistance programs, and available resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the recovery period. Utility customers may call the PUC Complaint Hotline at 1-800-692-7380 regarding complaints, terminations, or payment arrangements. The PUC asks that you contact the utility company first to try to resolve the problem.
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What You Should Do If You Received an Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Check) for a Deceased Person?
What should I do to return an Economic Impact Payment (EIP)? (Updated May 11, 2020)
You should return the payment as described below. If the payment was a paper check:
- Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
- Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
- Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.
If the payment was a paper check and you have cashed it, or if the payment was a direct deposit:
- Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
- Write on the check/money order made payable to “U.S. Treasury” and write 2020EIP and the taxpayer identification number (Social Security number, or individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient of the check.
- Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the EIP. For your paper check, here is the IRS mailing address to use based on the state: District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island Philadelphia Internal Revenue Service 2970 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
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DHS offers EAP funding
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is offering an Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) to help low-income families who lost wages and are experiencing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families who qualify will be eligible for a one-time payment to assist them in meeting basic needs and help them secure a more stable financial footing in the future. The program will be open to families with a child under the age of 18 or a woman who is currently pregnant. In order to qualify, families must have at least one person in the household who was employed as of March 11, 2020, and experienced an hour or wage reduction of at least 50 percent for two weeks or more or lost employment entirely due to the public health crisis. Families must meet income limits of 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and have no more than $1,000 in a savings or checking account.
Household Size Monthly Income Limit Annual Income
- Limit 1 $1,595 $19,140
- Limit 2 $2,155 $25,860
- Limit 3 $2,715 $32,580
- Limit 4 $3,275 $39,300
- Limit 5 $3,835 $46,020
- Limit 6 $4,395 $52,740
- Limit 7 $4,955 $59,460
- Limit 8 $5,515 $66,180
- Limit 9 $6,075 $72,900
- Limit 10 $6,635 $79,620
- Each Additional Person $560 $6,720
Qualifying families will be issued a one-time grant equal to two months of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
The average monthly TANF grant for a family of three is $403, so a qualifying family of three would receive a one-time grant of $806 through the program. Information on monthly grants by household size and county is available online here. Funds will be issued through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. The emergency assistance application is available online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Families should be prepared to submit all necessary documentation with their application to expedite processing and avoid having to apply again. Applications will be accepted through June 12 or until all funds are expended.
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Catholic Charities Offer No Cost Stress and Anxiety Management Classes to Beaver County Residents
Stress and anxiety are on the rise, and Catholic Charities can help. The agency is offering Stress and Anxiety Management Classes free of charge to any Beaver County resident. A licensed therapist will work with you on anxiety reduction techniques, stress reduction skills, and self-care strategies. Whether a one-time class or continued sessions over several weeks, therapists can help you manage anxiety in more healthy ways. Sessions are by telephone and last about 45 to 50 minutes. If interested, call 724-775-0758, and leave a message for the therapists. A therapist will return your call.
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Older Adult Protective Services
If you feel an older adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited, call Older Adult Protective Services at 724-775-1786. The hotline is open 24 hours a day.
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Ombudsman Service is Available
The Beaver County Office on Aging Ombudsmen are working full time, at home, and are available to accept calls and handle any complaints or questions related to the nursing facility and personal care home resident rights and problem resolution. We will return your call by the end of the next business day. Ombudsman calls are considered and treated with the highest confidentiality. To contact the Ombudsman program you may: email Ombudsman@BCOA.US; call the Ombudsman direct phone line 724-480-8589, or call the Office on Aging main phone 724-847-2262, identify your call as an Ombudsman issue, with no details, as these calls are highly confidential and leave your name and phone number only.