From soaring temperatures to soaring scams, this week’s news is a mixed bag for low-income Americans. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with essential updates and resources to help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities.
We’ll start with critical information on staying safe and cool during the summer heat, then dive into the latest developments in housing, Social Security, Medicare, and more.
Nationwide News
This week brings important news for low-income Americans and seniors, from new resources to help you beat the summer heat to critical updates on Social Security and Medicare benefits. Stay informed and stay safe with this week’s roundup of essential news you need to know.
Resources to Stay Safe During Heat Waves
As a sweltering heat wave continues to bake much of the eastern United States, more than 11 million Americans have been exposed to dangerous heat levels. It’s crucial to stay safe and cool, even if you weren’t able to get a free air conditioner this year.
There are places you can go to escape the heat. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that highlights local cooling centers, air-conditioned public spaces, and tips for beating the heat, especially as this early-season heatwave presents increased risk.
Check out the full article for details on staying comfortable and safe during this extended period of high temperatures.
HUD Expands Financial Aid for Air Conditioning
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a new rule that will allow public housing authorities to provide more financial assistance for air conditioning costs. This is a significant change for low-income residents who have struggled to afford cooling in the past.
The rule change is particularly important for families with young children and elderly residents, who are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. According to HUD, at least 600,000 public housing units across the country lack central air conditioning.
Public housing authorities now have the flexibility to increase utility allowances or waive excess fees for residents who need to use air conditioning. This will make a big difference for low-income families who have been struggling to stay cool during the summer months. The new rules are already in effect.
⚠️ Don’t Fall for Fake $600 Social Security Increase ⚠️
Watch out for a dangerous new scam that is designed to steal your personal information. The US Government is warning people about a new scam that promises a $600 increase in Social Security benefits for June. Some outlets are calling it a stimulus. Either way, it’s fake.
Scammers are telling people that they need to fill out an application to claim this increase. Any information you provide goes right to the scammers, not the government.
The annual Social Security increases are announced in October of each year and take effect the following January. You never have to fill out an application to get a COLA increase. If you encounter this scam, please report it to the Office of the Inspector General.
Proposed Bill Aims to Streamline Medicare Advantage Approvals
A new bill called the Seniors Timely Access to Care Act would change the Medicare Advantage program. The new rules would create an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage, which would help increase transparency and speed up the process.
According to Senator Tim Kaine, prior authorization requirements lead to long wait times and communication issues that can prevent seniors from getting the care that they need. Most beneficiaries have to wait seven days for a standard medical order or up to three days for an expedited one. This new bill could significantly reduce the time required.
This bill is being considered in the House and Senate. It has bipartisan support. Please reach out to your elected officials in Congress if you’d like to see this bill become law.
RxPass Offers Affordable Generic Medications for Medicare Recipients
Good news for Medicare recipients! There’s a program called RxPass that can help you save money on your medications. For a low monthly fee of $5, you can get 60 different generic medications, no matter how many prescriptions you need.
This program could save you and Medicare a lot of money. People who use RxPass could save around $70 each year if they take one medication, and even more if they take several. This program also gives you 24/7 access to pharmacists and free shipping on your medications!
In order to use RxPass, you need to be an Amazon Prime member. You can get half off your Amazon Prime subscription if you receive benefits from programs like SNAP, SSI and others. Sign up here.
Student Loan Relief: July Payments Paused, Repayment Options Changing
Millions of borrowers may be able to skip their July payment as some of the new SAVE Plan features go into effect. One of these changes involve recalculating the payments, which will drop payments by up to half for some borrowers.
It is taking longer than expected to recalculate those payments, so the Biden Administration has instructed student loan servicers to put those impacted in a temporary processing forbearance while the new changes are rolled out. That means you may be able to skip your July payment and your interest rate may be temporarily dropped to 0%.
Meanwhile, the Education Department will start phasing out three other income-driven repayment plans on July 1st. One of the impacted plans is called PAYE, or Pay As You Earn. This plan can be a good fit for low income borrowers who have graduate school debt or expect to earn higher incomes in the future. It has certain features, like faster forgiveness and a payment ceiling, that provide certain advantages for people in specific situations. If you owe student loans, you really need to evaluate your options before June 30th because some of those options may disappear.
For help navigating your student loan options, you can always call our sponsor CareConnect USA’s student aid relief line at (888) 201-0431 for help.
Cherokee Nation Offers Clothing Assistance for Children
The Cherokee Nation is offering a $150 one-time payment to help low income Cherokee children with clothing costs. This money is available to any qualifying child who lives anywhere in the United States.
In order to receive this payment, your child must be a Cherokee Nation citizen and be under the age of 18. Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size.
You can apply through the tribe’s online portal. Your application must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday, July 16.
Local News
From free food boxes in California to a free CNA course in Florida, this week’s local news roundup has something for everyone. Whether you’re a senior looking for assistance, a family in need of support, or a young person exploring career options, we’ve got you covered. Scroll to your state subheading for updates from your state.
Arizona
The Mosaic Elder Refugee Program helps refugees get settled. They specifically serve refugees who are at least 60 years old. They help teach English as a second language, tutor for the citizenship exam, and provide case management services. This program is administered by the Area Agency on Aging in Phoenix. You can reach their 24-hour senior help line at 602-264-HELP.
California
The Pomona Household Universal Grant (HUG) Program is open for applications. This guaranteed income program will provide 250 families with an extra $500 per month for a year. Another 350 people will be selected to be part of the control group and will receive $20 per month for 18 months. Both groups can receive $50 bonuses when they complete surveys that will be provided by UCLA to study the impacts of their participation.
In order to be eligible, you must live in Pomona, have a child under 4 years old in your household, and meet one of four ARPA qualifiers. The ARPA qualifiers are based on income, location, or financial impact from the pandemic. You must apply online by 11pm on July 8, 2024, in order to qualify.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, some politicians have suggested a new program that would forgive student loan debt. This would be used as a recruitment incentive for first responders. Under this plan, newly hired first responders could receive $25,000 toward their student loans after working in the city for three years. The final vote on this proposal is expected to take place over the summer.
In Seaside, free food boxes will be distributed to low income residents at the Seaside Farmers Market each Thursday. The boxes are available between 3pm and 7pm. You must show ID and documentation to prove your income eligibility, like an EBT card, WIC card or Medicaid card. The boxes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Florida
Sharron Nursing Academy in Jacksonville is offering a free summer camp for teens between 13 and 17 years old. The camp will introduce teens to the healthcare field, providing hands-on experience in an environment that resembles a patient room, hospital and even a laboratory. They’ll learn how to take vitals and help gunshot victims until paramedics arrive.
This school is also offering a free CNA course that will last through December. You can learn more on their website.
Hawaii
The Section 8 voucher scam we warned you about last week has spread to other states. Hawaii officials have announced that the state is not currently accepting applications for Section 8. They also have no plans to reopen the wait list in the near future. Please do not fall for any posts that promise you Section 8 benefits in Hawaii at this time.
Iowa
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is accepting applications in Iowa! This program provides $50 food vouchers for seniors. The vouchers can be used at local farmers markets to buy fresh local fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey. You need to contact your Area Agency on Aging for details and application instructions.
Kentucky
Free meals are available for children at over 2,000 meal sites this summer. This is through the Summer Food Service Program. It provides free meals to all children ages 18 and under. You can text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 to find a meal site near you.
Maryland
Clagett Farm in Upper Marlboro has donated over 800 thousand pounds of fresh organic produce to local charities. They also provide a 50% discount for people who shop with government benefits. According to NBC Washington, this farm will also allow you to volunteer on the farm in exchange for free food.
Nebraska
Rural transportation services are expanding into Hall County! The county commissioners voted 7-0 to partner with Holiday Express Bus to provide rural transportation services to those who need them.
Ohio
Seniors in the Springfield area are invited to attend a free workshop that will help them prevent falls. This workshop is called Stepping On, and it will teach balance and strength exercises, home safety tips and more. You need to register with Cindy Lockwood by July 5th if you want to attend. You can reach Cindy at (937) 323-4948 extension 140.
Seniors in Mansfield can receive a free food box on June 25. You need to go to the First English Lutheran Church in Mansfield between 10:30 am and 12:30pm that day to pick it up. Each box includes around 15 pounds of fresh produce and two pounds of cheese. You must be at least 60 years old and meet income guidelines in order to pick up your box. If you qualify, make sure to come back on the fourth Tuesday of each month for another box!
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s City Council has voted to expand the Built to Last home repair program with another $5 million in funding. This program helps fix leaky roofs and broken plumbing. It also provides electric heat pump HVAC system and rooftop solar in order to “future-proof” homes.
South Carolina
The city of Spartanburg is working on creating a new home repair program. They plan to set aside funds to help low income families buy and repair their own homes. If you are interested in this assistance, you should contact the City of Spartanburg’s Neighborhood Services Office for details.
Texas
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Uplift Harris cannot make any payments until the Supreme Court makes a decision. The case is currently working its way through the court of appeals. This means that the 1,900 families who are waiting on those monthly checks will likely have to wait considerably longer to find out if or when that money will be sent out.
Meanwhile, CARTS is offering free rides for seniors who are at least 60 years old. The CARTS Country Bus system serves Blanco, Burnet, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Lee Counties. They also serve certain rural areas within Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties. You can call (512) 478-7433 or email [email protected] to schedule a ride.
Vermont
Habitat for Humanity has opened a new ReStore location in Waterbury. The Habitat ReStore is like a thrift home improvement store. They often have more building, construction materials, tools, and appliances than a typical thrift store. However, they also have items like furniture, dishes, books, and fabrics as well. You can learn more about the ReStore on the Vermont Habitat website.
Virginia
Virginia’s Cooling Assistance program, administered by the Department of Social Services, is now accepting applications. This program provides or repairs cooling equipment like portable fans, ceiling fans, or air conditioners. They can also help you with your utility bills.
The application period runs from June 15th through August 15th. To be eligible, households must meet specific income requirements and have at least one vulnerable individual, such as someone aged 60 or older, a disabled person, or a child under 6 years old.
You can apply online through the CommonHelp system.
Washington DC
Kids in DC can enjoy free meals and snacks starting on June 26! That’s when over 100 DC Youth Meal Sites will open to the public. Anyone 18 years old or under can receive free meals throughout the summer. You don’t need to apply or fill out any forms. The meals will continue until August 15.
Relief Recap
We hope this roundup of news and resources has been helpful to you and your family. Whether you’re navigating the heat of summer, looking for financial assistance, or searching for ways to give back to your community, there are programs and opportunities available to support you. Remember, you’re not alone. Stay informed, stay safe, and keep reaching out for the help you need.