Follow this link for an update on Governor Baker's plan
https://mailchi.mp/422cfa74c397/covid-19-newsletter?fbclid=IwAR0YMpU0Z9VPow8uAxeUQiU4g5a0hOy2aGzZXefXCOBCL2EYCUKFD5N85co
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The new Home Energy Assistance Program Grant, also known as Fuel Assistance is a financial assistance program, not a loan, that customers do not have to pay back. To qualify, customers must meet household income criteria based on their household size. A family of four with a four-week gross income of up to $5,526 could be eligible for Fuel Assistance.
To learn more about this program, you can call the Massachusetts HEAP hotline at 1-800-632-8175 where you will be directed to your local Community Action Program Agency (CAP). You can also visit the website masscap.org/heatinghelpma for more information. The deadline for new applications is May 29th.
If you qualify for Fuel Assistance, you will be automatically enrolled in National Grid’s discount rate of up to 32% off their electric and gas bills. You can visit https://www.nationalgridus.com/discount for more information.
National Grid is warning customers to beware of a new phone scam where imposters are demanding immediate bill payment and threatening service disconnection. This latest scam, which is targeting customers already facing hardships due to COVID-19, involves callers who pretend to be National Grid representatives. They tell customers that unless payment is made within 30 minutes, their power will be shut off. The customer is then directed to call “the direct billing department to make a payment and avoid power disconnection.”
Tips to Protect Against Scams
National Grid urges customers to be cautious of scammers and offers the following tips:
National Grid representatives will know your account number; never offer that information to a caller.
Ask the caller to provide the last five digits of your National Grid account number. If the caller doesn’t know your account number, asks questions about your account balance and associated details, or if you have any doubt the caller is a National Grid representative, please take charge and immediately hang up. Call National Grid or local law enforcement officials to report the incident.
National Grid will not contact customers demanding immediate payment by wire transfer, Green Dot Money-Pak or any other pre-paid card service.
Never -- under any circumstances -- offer personal or financial information to someone who you cannot identify.
For more information on scams, visit: nationalgridus.com/Scam-Alert.
UPDATE #4 ON COVID-19 IN MASSACHUSETTS
The COVID-19 Response Center and the administration are releasing new information daily on cases of Coronavirus in the state. As of Monday, April 27th:
Total cases in Massachusetts –56,462
Total COVID-19 related fatalities in Massachusetts –3,003
Patients tested in the MA state public health laboratory, commercial laboratories, and hospitals –244,887
Malden COVID-19 updates
Updates from Governor Baker:
Stay at Home Advisory - Massachusetts residents are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, limit outings to essential trips, and adhere to social distancing guidelines. The stay at home advisory has now been extended until May 18th. This includes the prohibition of gatherings over 10 people.
All schools and non-emergency child care centers will remain closed until the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.
Governor Baker announced a federal disaster declaration for COVID-19 response.
All Non-Essential Businesses must remain closed until May 18th. To see which businesses are considered essential, please visit this link.
To keep up to date with announcements from Governor Baker, please visit this link.
Updates from the Federal Government:
The IRS announced that anyone making less than $1 million/year will receive a 90-day tax filing extension, moving the deadline to file from April 15 to July 15.
People who are unemployed are now eligible to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the CARES Act. Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance here.
Updates from the State Government:
An Act to Further Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities, School Districts and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19.
waives MCAS requirement for the 2019-2020 academic year
redirects funding to address immediate and critical homelessness needs resulting from the public health emergency
provides the MBTA additional budgetary flexibility amid the COVID-19 emergency
COVID-19 Relief Bill
extended state tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th
includes immediate economic relief to restaurants and other establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption to sell wine and beer with food takeout and delivery
municipal changes:
allows extensions for property tax exemption and deferrals from April 1 to June 1, 2020
modifies permitting process to allow flexibility
allows annual town meetings to be delayed until June 30th
permits municipalities to utilize retired employees and lifts pension-related hour restrictions for employees who return to work as it relates to COVID-19 response
prohibits essential services provided by the city or town from being terminated as a result of a missed or late payment
The legislature passed a bill that would eliminate the one-week waiting period for applications for unemployment. The Department of Unemployment Assistance may no provide benefits to people who have been quarantined, are ordered to leave work, or leave work to take care of a family member.
Self employed individuals and independent contractors can now apply for benefits here.
A loan fund of $10 million has been created to provide financial relief to Massachusetts businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
The legislature passed a bill allowing cities and towns to postpone 2020 municipal elections, push back deadlines for voter registration, and increase voting options while Massachusetts is in a state of emergency.
The legislature passed a bill that enacts a moratorium on non-essential evictions and foreclosures amid COVID-19.
Expanded Mobile Testing for Long-Term Care Facilities
On March 31, the Commonwealth implemented a project that allows for safe, on-site testing of symptomatic residents of nursing and rest homes with a quick turnaround. Since then more than 4,500 tests have been collected at 264 facilities. Facilities with appropriately trained clinical staff can now conduct their own testing with test kits ordered through the mobile testing program; as of today, 77 facilities had requested more than 8,600 test kits had been sent
Important phone numbers and community resources:
Call 2-1-1 to get current updates about COVID-19 related news and announcements in multiple languages.
Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to receive text updates regarding COVID-19
City of Malden Resources:
Malden Health Department: 781-397-7000 x 2049
Malden Senior Center: 781-397-7144
Malden Treasurer: 781-397-7090
Malden Veterans' Services: 781-397-7139
Domestic Violence/Crisis Help:
Portal to Hope
781-338-7678
Housing:
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
617-357-6000
Housing Families
781-322-9119
Mystic Valley Elder Services
781-324-7705
Food:
Bread of Life
781-397-0404
Fuel Assistance:
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
617-357-6000
Elder Care:
Mystic Valley Elder Services
781-324-7705
Other Helpful Links:
For more information regarding programs and resources to help individuals and businesses during this time, please visit my website.
If you need assistance of any kind please do not hesitate to call my office at 617-722-2460, or email me at Steven.Ultrino@mahouse.gov. You may also email my Legislative Aide at Sarah.Gonsenhauser@mahouse.gov.
Remember to:
Wash your hands diligently for at least 20 seconds with warm water
Avoid crowds or gatherings over 10 people
Stay as home as much as possible to limit exposure and potential spread of the virus
No upcoming events at the moment
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