NWLS Issues New Eligibility Guidelines
New Law Raises Child Tax Credit from $600 to $1000
ICA Provides "Guides to Services" for Seniors
Tax Credits to Benefit Low-Wage Earners
Drug Discount Cards Available May 2004
Medicaid is Health Insurance for Needy
"Project Elder Reach" To Identify At Risk Seniors
"Celebrate the Family - Erie!" Conference on April 30, 2004
Latest News on the Medicare Act of 2003
Help Mentally Ill on Mental Health Month
Cash and Food Stamps Benefits Expanded
LIHEAP Deadline Extended to April 9
PhRMA Resource for Free Prescription Drug Programs
CRI to Provide Work Incentive Program Info
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
HHS Gives PA Medicaid Infrastructure Grant
Need A Speaker for Your Next Meeting?

NWLS Issues New Eligibility Guidelines

Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) has increased its 2004 financial eligibility guidelines for its clients from $11,225 to $11,638 yearly income for a single person, and from $15,150 to $15,613 yearly income for couples. These guidelines are 125% higher than the poverty guidelines, and took effect on February 23, 2004. As issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, the 2004 Federal Poverty Guideline for a single person is $9,310 a year, and $12,490 a year for a couple.

To qualify for legal representation by a NWLS attorney, an applicant for legal aid must have no more than the regular income guidelines set forth by the Legal Services Corporation, which are as follows:

If you are eligible under the above income guidelines, and your case involves public benefits, public welfare, unemployment compensation, family law, education and employment, health care, and housing, you should call NWLS at 814-452-NWLS (6957) or 800-665-NWLS (6957).

Public benefits include Social Security and SSI; public welfare includes cash assistance and food stamps; family law includes custody, support, adoptions and guardianships; health care includes Medicaid and Medicare.

New Law Raises Child Tax Credit from $600 to $1000

The Jobs and Growth Tax relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 raised the Child Tax Credit from $600 per child to a maximum of $1,000 per child.

The Child Tax Credit is a nonrefundable credit for each child. To qualify, a child must be (1) under age 17; (2) a citizen or resident of the United States; (3) claimed as the taxpayer’s dependent; and (4) the taxpayer’s (a) child, stepchild, adopted child, or grandchild; (b) sibling, stepsibling, or a descendant of any of them, whom the taxpayer cared for as his or her own child, or (c) eligible foster child.

Individuals who get less than the full amount of the Child Tax Credit because their tax is too low may get an Additional Child Tax Credit.

Claimants who received an Advance Tax Credit payment check in 2003 cannot claim the full $1,000 per child, according to the IRS.  (Visit www.irs.gov )

ICA Provides "Guides to Services" for Seniors

The Independent Council on Aging publishes a bi-annual Guide to Services for Older Adults in Erie County as a service to the community.

The Independent Council on Aging, Inc. (ICA) is a voluntary, not-for -profit coalition of individuals, agencies, and businesses from the public and private sectors who provide services to seniors in Erie and Erie County. The mission of the organization is to foster a positive image of aging and to improve the quality of life for seniors. This is accomplished through an annual Senior Art Show (which will be held on April 2nd at the Mercy Center of the Arts), and the sponsorship of a variety of health, wellness, and educational programs for members as well as for the community.

The Guide to Services is intended to assist older adults and their families in finding the services they need. Agencies listed in the directory provide emergency services, information, education, help with finances, legal aid, insurance, utilities, transportation, help in the home, elder care, caregiver assistance, help with food, special needs, leisure, housing and living arrangements. For a free copy of the guide, contact Sal Parco, president, or any member of ICA, or call (814) 480-8899. You may view the Senior Art Show at the Mercy Center of the Arts, 444 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie.

Tax Credits to Benefit Low-Wage Earners

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable credit for low-wage taxpayers, will offset Social Security taxes and provide an incentive for people to work, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS announced that approximately 19 million taxpayers claimed more than $32 billion in EITC for tax year 2002.

However, due to a high rate of erroneous payments last year, the IRS will ask 25,000 EITC claimants to certify when they file that the eligible child claimed for EITC purposes resided with them for more than half of the year as required by law.

This Certification Pilot Program for the 2004 filing season is aimed at rewarding work and helping families out of poverty, according to the IRS. “The EITC program helps lift millions of working families, especially single mothers, out of poverty each year. But it has consistently been found to have an erroneous payment rate higher than many other government benefit programs,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. Families with children receive a larger EITC credit.

The IRS will identify cases that have the highest likelihood of error before they are accepted for processing and before any EITC benefits are paid. Examples of such cases are EITC claimants who:

(1) underreport their income in order to claim the credit;
(2) claim the credit but failed in the past to report all their income;
(3) misrepresent their filing status; and
(4) have earned income higher than the income cap.

The certification program will help eligible taxpayers to receive their refunds faster than if their refunds were to be held pending in an examination.

(Source: IRS-NEWSWIRE, August 5, 2003; irs-newswire@lists.qai.irs.gov )

Drug Discount Cards Available May 2004

Medicare recipients may apply for the Medicare-approved drug discount cards in May 2004, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The program is part of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which was signed by President George W. Bush last December 8, 2003.

Medicare has contracted with private companies that will offer the new drug discount cards. Good until December 31, 2005, the cards can save seniors as much as 10%-25% on prescription drugs that they need.

You may qualify for a $600 credit on your discount card if your income in 2003 was no more than $12,123 as a single person, or no more than $16,362 as a married couple. But if you already have drug coverage under Medicaid, TRICARE for Life, or an employer group health plan, you cannot qualify for the $600 credit.

Beginning this year, the Medicare + Choice (Medicare Plus Choice) plans will be called Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage has been improved to give you more health plan choices and better benefits. To learn more about these improved benefits, you may call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

In 2005, Medicare will provide the following new preventive benefits: (1) a one-time initial wellness physical exam within 6 months of the day you first enroll in Medicare Part B; (2) screening blood tests for early detection of cardiovascular (heart) disease; and (3) diabetes screening tests for people at risk of getting diabetes.

Medicaid is Health Insurance for Needy

Medicaid, short for Medical Assistance, is the nation’s health insurance program for people on SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), medically needy adults, children and pregnant women, and senior citizens 65 years old or older. It is the only source of health coverage available for an estimated 47 million of the most vulnerable populations, 70% of whom are women over the age of 15.

Offering benefits comparable to private health insurance, Medicaid provides for doctor visits, baby and child care including regular checkups, immunization shots, visits to the doctor during pregnancy, visits to specialists with a referral form from a primary care physician, yearly physicals, dental care, eye exams, prescription drugs, vitamins, orthopedic shoes and hearing aids for people under the age of 21, allergy tests and shots, hospitalization, inpatient drugs and physician services.

Medical Assistance also includes lab tests, x-rays, cardiograms, surgery and anesthesia, physical and occupational therapy, mental health, drug and alcohol services, certain chiropractic services, skilled nursing or intermediate care for 30 consecutive days, home health care, EPSDT services and EPSDT expanded services.

"Project Elder Reach" To Identify At Risk Seniors

Volunteers from various businesses, organizations, corporations and the community will be trained by GECAC as “Bridge Builders” who will identify at risk elders in need of assistance in maintaining independence and dignity.

“Project Elder Reach,” a GECAC (Greater Erie Community Action Committee) program, aims to find people 60 years of age or older who are isolated or living alone and are experiencing depression or confusion due to loss of physical abilities (sight, hearing, mobility, memory, etc.), independence, or an important role. Other risk factors for elders are the loss of a loved one or a pet, changes in income and living situation, and changes in mental or emotional state and physical health..

Examples of “Bridge Builders” who are in close contact with senior citizens in the community who may need help are postal carriers, delivery people, meter readers, utility company installation and repair persons, sheriffs, police and fire officers, bank tellers, pharmacists, and other personnel who serve senior citizens in the community.

A GECAC Outreach Caseworker will train the “Bridge Builders” to identify at risk elderly persons. When the Bridge Builders find an at risk senior, they can call 814-878-3676 or 1-866-ELDER REACH (1-866-353-3773) at any time to refer the elder to GECAC. Upon receiving a referral, a nurse from GECAC and a mental health case manager from Case Management Support Services will go to the at risk elder’s home to evaluate the situation and link the elder to needed services.

It is hoped that Project Elder Reach will provide proactive early intervention to at risk elders and prevent injuries, suicides or premature admissions to nursing homes and other supervised settings. It is also hoped that the project will establish good public relations for businesses and corporations with their customers in the community.

For more information, contact Thomas Muckinhaupt, GECAC, at 814-459-4581, Ext. 668 or CELL 814-450-5716.

"Celebrate the Family - Erie!" Conference on April 30, 2004

The 13th Annual “Celebrate the Family—Erie!” Conference will be held Friday, April 30, 2004, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs, PA. Keynote speaker Dan Perkins, Ph.D., will talk about “What Kids Need to Succeed.”

The conference will provide families and professionals working with families tools to address today’s challenging issues. Workshop topics will include childhood obesity, internet safety, school readiness, planning for elder care, putting youth back into sports, dealing with issues of aggressive behavior and drugs and alcohol in children, and hands-on nutrition activities for young children.

Cost is $23.00 per participant, which covers workshop materials and lunch. PDU’s, CEU’s, Act 48 credits, and DPW hours are available on request.

Registrations must be received by April 19. For additional information call Janice Ronan at Penn State Cooperative Extension in Erie County at 825-0900. You may also visit their web site at http://Erie.Extension.psu.edu .

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Janice at 814-825-0900 in advance of your participation or visit.

NWLS Staff Will Be Presenters at Family Conference

Caulene A. Sanford, NWLS System and Information Coordinator, and Salvador A. Parco, Ph.D., NWLS Community Educator, will be among the presenters in the Celebrate the Family—Erie! Conference on April 30th.

Caulene will describe the “PALawHelp.org  — A Great New Resource on the Internet,” while Sal will discuss ways and means of “Planning for Elder Care.”

Latest News on the Medicare Act of 2003

In 2006, all Medicare recipients will be able to enroll in plans that cover prescription drugs under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Even if you choose to enroll in the new options being offered by the new law, you will still be in the Medicare program. In fact, if you are on Medicare right now and you are happy with it, you can stay in it and keep it exactly the same way as you have always had it - even if you do not enroll in the new prescription drug program.

People on Medicare with low incomes and limited resources or assets will not have to pay the premiums or deductibles, but they will only have to pay a small co-payment for each prescription drug. If your drug expenses are limited to $250 or less in a year, all you have to pay for is $420 for 12 monthly premiums and the actual cost of the drugs up to $250. Others who spend between $250 and $2,250 a year for prescription drugs will pay a 25% coinsurance on these expenses, aside from the monthly premium of about $35, and the deductible of $250. But those who spend between $2,250 and $3,600 for prescription drugs will have to pay for all their drug expenses. This is what some people call the “doughnut hole” because Medicare will not contribute towards the drug expenses. Only after you have spent more than $3,600 for prescription drugs will Medicare pay for 95% of the total drug costs.

Also beginning in 2006, Medicare Advantage plans (formerly Medicare Plus Choice), will be expanded to include regional Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPOs). Under a PPO plan, all people with Medicare will be able to choose from among doctors, hospitals and pharmacies that are included in the PPO’s “preferred” list of doctors and providers without getting a referral from a primary care physician, as in a Health Management Organization.

For the latest information about Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov  or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or TTY 1-800-877-486-2048.

(Source:  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)

Help Mentally Ill on Mental Health Month

May is National Mental Health Month. Businesses and employers are encouraged to consider hiring people with mental illnesses. “People with mental illnesses have one of the lowest rates of employment of any group with disabilities — only about one in three is employed,” according to President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.

Surveys show that 37 percent of people with mental health problems face discrimination when looking for work, and 47 percent experienced discrimination at work.

One in five Americans experiences a mental disorder each year, according to OpenMindsOpenDoors, an effort coordinated by the Mental Health Association of Pennsylvania to eliminate the stigma that hinders people with mental illness from recovery. Prejudice and discrimination against people who have mental illnesses keeps them from seeking help and violates their basic human rights for education, housing, and employment.

People living with mental illnesses have the same needs as everyone else. They do recover from mental illnesses and lead productive lives. They also make valuable contributions to society.

For more information about mental health issues, contact OpenMindsOpenDoors at 1-866-578-3659. You can also visit their website at www.openmindsopendoors.com .

Coordinating the local Mental Health Month activities is the Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania in Erie, 814-452-4462.

Stigma refers to a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid, and discriminate against people with mental illnesses.

Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.

(Source: President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health)

Cash and Food Stamps Benefits Expanded

Individuals with felony drug convictions can now receive cash and food stamp benefits, according to PA Act 44, which was signed by Governor Rendell in December 2003. The Act, which took effect on February 21, 2004, lifted a lifetime ban on the receipt of cash assistance and food stamps by individuals with felony drug convictions.

Former recipients of cash assistance and food stamps who were denied of these benefits during the last three years should contact their case workers, if they have not done so yet. The Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is mailing notices to everyone who was denied cash and food stamp benefits in the last three years.

DPW caseworkers are also seeking out those individuals who are currently receiving cash assistance or food stamps for their children but not for themselves, so that they can be added to their children’s cash assistance and food stamps without having to file a new application.

As usual, to receive the cash and food stamp benefits, individuals must meet eligibility requirements such as income, resources, work requirements, etc. They must also comply with the criminal justice system’s rules, such as no outstanding bench warrants, compliance with probation and parole requirements, payment plan for any outstanding fees or court costs.

DPW will refer individuals who need drug or alcohol treatment to appropriate agencies for assessment or treatment, after benefits are approved.

For more information, contact Amy Hirsch, Community Legal Services, Inc., 3638 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, 215-227-2400 ext. 2415 or email: ahirsch@clsphila.org  or Sue Frietsche, Women’s Law Project, Pittsburgh, PA, 412-242-5537 or email: sfrietsche@womenslawproject.org .

(Source: Pennsylvania Legal Services E-Mail News, February 23, 2004)

LIHEAP Deadline Extended to April 9

Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman extended the deadline to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) cash and crisis grants to April 9th, or until the federal contingency funding of $10.6M  received by the Commonwealth runs out. The LIHEAP application period began November 12, 2003, and was set to expire March 25, 2004.

LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for a variety of home heating-fuel sources and furnace repairs. Families do not have to be on public assistance or own their own homes to qualify for LIHEAP cash or crisis grants.

The cash grant program helps families pay for their home heating bills. Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and heating regions. (See the LIHEAP Income Limit Table published in the Winter 2003-2004 People’s Voice.) Crisis grants of up to $300 are given to families with heating emergencies, such as mechanical breakdowns or unexpected fuel shortages.

To apply, call your local County Assistance Office. For more information, call DPW’s free information line at 1-800-692-7462.

PhRMA Resource for Free Prescription Drug Programs

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and its member companies have established a new interactive website that provides a comprehensive one-stop link to thousands of medicines offered through hundreds of Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) sponsored by member companies, non-member companies and government and local organizations.

The website, www.HelpingPatients.org , directs patients to the PAP that will best serve them, and helps them understand how to request assistance. 

CRI to Provide Work Incentive Program Info

Community Resources for Independence (CRI) will provide information and referral to individuals with disabilities on such work incentive programs as The Ticket to Work, Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD), school to work transition, Social Security Administration benefits, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation services, and other employment related needs.

CRI, a center for independent living, received a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant that will enable the center to act as a referral site for individuals and employers who are interested in gaining a greater understanding of the programs that are available. CRI will conduct two informational workshops that will address the obstacles and incentives to employment among individuals with disabilities. For more information on the above workshops, contact Beverly Davis-Migliaccio at 814-838-7222 or 1-800-530-5541.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

To protect yourself from identity theft anywhere, especially when traveling:

• Never carry credit cards that you don’t need.
• Never carry extra checks or bank deposit slips in your wallet or purse.
• Never carry a list of all your bank account numbers in your wallet or purse.
• Never carry your Social Security card or number.

Identity thieves start their work with a stolen wallet or purse. The more information you have in your wallet or purse, the easier it is for them to steal your identity. Take it from Frank Abagnale, Jr., a “retired master forger,” who gave this advice.

A membership service that addresses the growing threat of identity fraud is IdentitySecure, 866-263-8258, www.trilegiant.com

HHS Gives PA Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

Health and Human Services (HHS) gave Pennsylvania a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant of $500,000 to help people with disabilities find and keep work without losing their health benefits.

The Department of HHS grant advances the goals of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act of 1999, a law passed by Congress to encourage people with disabilities to work without fear of losing their eligibility under Medicare, Medicaid or similar health benefits.

“Fear of losing access to health coverage is a major obstacle for people with disabilities who want to work, and this program helps reduce the concern. With the help of these grants, states are making great strides in helping people with disabilities who are able to work with the proper supports,” said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.

The Medicaid Infrastructure Grant aims to:

• help people with disabilities retain their Medicaid coverage when they become employed;
• help provide appropriate personal assistance services for those who need help bathing, dressing and other necessary activities; and
• support other improvements to help people with disabilities to remain successfully employed.

The grant is part of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative, which aims at eliminating barriers that unnecessarily hinder Americans with disabilities as they seek full participation in the life of their communities.

(Source:  Center for Mental Health Services)

Need A Speaker for Your Next Meeting?

If you need a speaker for your next meeting, conference, or in-service training, our Community Educator is available as a presenter on civil legal issues pertaining to the family, health, education, employment, housing, public benefits, and consumer rights.

Call him at (814) 452-6949, Ext. 105, or e-mail him at sparco@nwls.org or use our on-line registration form.  Please indicate which of the following topics you would want him to discuss:

[ ] Free legal aid for low-income clients, Pro Bono, District Justice Court
[ ] Protection from abuse, divorce, child support, child custody
[ ] Medicaid, Medicare, Medigap, Managed Health Care
[ ] Rights of children with special needs
[ ] Unemployment compensation
[ ] Tenants’ rights
[ ] Social Security, Supplemental Security Income
[ ] Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Stamps
[ ] Consumers’ rights
[ ] Consumer credit
[ ] Consumer frauds
[ ] Identity theft      [ ] Other__________________________________
 

For more information, visit our website: www.nwls.org  

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