NEW Resources or Programs –
Ongoing (not COVID specific)

(Included here are only resources that haven’t been listed before or are NEW/UPDATED.  For a list of Resources from Previous missives, contact your Coalition manager)

The Family Resource Network Archived Webinars –  https://www.familyresourcenetwork.org/webinar-archive/

Tech Tools for Caregivers

This webinar offers a practical overview of how technology tools may help family caregivers provide care for a frail or ill family member, partner, or friend at home. Technology products like smart phone apps, communication aids, in home sensors, and webcams can help make a home safer and reduce the caregiving workload. The webinar includes information on how to determine what your needs are, the costs of tech tools, privacy considerations, and ease of use.  A recording can be viewed here. Webinar slides and a handout with examples of technology tools are also available.

VA Expands Aid To Cover Vietnam Vets’ Caregivers

The Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) will be expanded to include Vietnam veterans starting October 1. Next Avenue contributor Stephenie Overman explains the benefits of PCAFC, and what family caregiver who are unfamiliar with the program can expect.

FROM ARC NJ: This information is pertinent only for individuals who have been receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and also received a large amount of unemployment insurance during the coronavirus pandemic.   

It is a federal requirement that if anyone who receives SSI is eligible for another type of income, they must receive that other income.   

It has come to our attention that there is a new concern for individuals with I/DD who have had SSI, were employed, and were laid off during the coronavirus pandemic.  These individuals received $600/week due to the CARES Act, in addition to other unemployment income. Many of these individuals were receiving more than $3,200/month, and this high amount of unearned income for SSI beneficiaries has led to this problem. 

If this information applies to an individual with I/DD, this is what you need to know:

1. It is a Medicaid regulation that no one should be terminated from Medicaid during the coronavirus pandemic. If you know of anyone who has been terminated from Medicaid since March 2020, please contact me immediately at broberts@arcnj.org 

2. Although the $600 per week in CARES Act unemployment insurance payment results in the loss of SSI, it is important to note that it is notviewed as countable income for NJ Medicaid. The County Medicaid offices are required to review these cases to determine whether the person is eligible for any other NJ FamilyCare programs.  

3. Below, as an FYI, is a sample SSI termination letter and two slightly different Medicaid letters that families have recently received.  All identifying information has been redacted.

• A letter from Social Security stating that the individual’s SSI benefit has been reduced to $0
• First Example: A letter from NJ Medicaid stating that Medicaid will terminate because SSI has ended (This letter does not have a specific Medicaid termination date and it does not reference DDD.) 
• Second Example: A letter from NJ Medicaid stating that Medicaid will terminate because SSI has ended (This letter does include a specific Medicaid termination date and it also references DDD program services.) 

4. The Arc of New Jersey believes it is prudent to keep track of everyone with I/DD who has received the aforementioned SSI and Medicaid letters. Please keep in mind that these letters will probably be sent out on a rolling basis. Therefore, some individuals in this situation, who have not received these letters yet, may receive them in the next few days or weeks. If you receive these letters, and you want The Arc of New Jersey to advocate on this individual’s behalf, this is what you should do. Please send me an email with the following information:

• The name and address of the individual with I/DD who has received the letters.
• Confirmation that the individual receives DDD services
• The name, phone number and email address of the caregiver/contact person.
• The current employment status of the individual with I/DD, i.e., has returned to work; still unemployed;  currently receiving unemployment in the amount of $_____
• Please attach the SSI and Medicaid letters that this individual received (either scan or take a photo and attach).
• Another other relevant information

Miscellaneous Information

 VOTE 2020

The November 3rd Presidential Election is approaching and it’s time to make sure you are registered and ready to vote! Voting is your Constitutional right and also one of the important nursing home resident rights enshrined in federal and state law.  

Due to COVID-19, in-person voting will be more challenging for residents of long-term care this year. There will be fewer polling sites and there may still be restrictions on residents leaving the facility for non-medical reasons. And, as you may have seen in the news, there are currently U.S. Postal Service problems and delays around the United States. In response, Governor Murphy recently issued an Executive Order requiring that every registered NJ voter receive a mail-in ballot in advance of the election. You do not need to request it; it should be mailed automatically to you. We suggest that you complete your ballot and mail it in (or have a designated person deliver it) well in advance of the November 3rd election to avoid any problems.  

If you are unsure if or where you are registered, you can check here: 

https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/registration-check or have a friend, family member, or social worker help you. If you are not currently registered, you can find a voter registration form for your county here: 

https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/voter-registration.shtml. 

You must mail in your registration form by October 13th to be eligible to vote. 

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