MA 211
The state is encouraging hurricane evacuees from Puerto Rico to contact Massachusetts 211 (dial 211 or 877-211-6277). Voice prompts will direct to press 26 to be connected to Puerto Rico Evacuee Assistance. The MA 211 assister will direct the caller to the Red Cross if they are homeless or to the local family resource center for case management.
MA 211 reports that at this time there is no special targeted funding accessible to individuals. Per the Mass. Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), when funds are released from the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund they must go to community agencies assisting evacuees- not directly to individuals or families.
Local Resources
MA 211 advised contacting Lourdes Concepcion- Viera. Here is her advice (edited):
The best places to ask for assistance is in the town the people are temporarily staying at.
These are some organizations that may help: Red Cross Catholic Charities, churches, community based organizations, multi-service agencies.
For housing you would have to call the local Housing authority where the family is staying. Ask if they have put aside housing for PR people and what are the criteria.
Best Regards,
Lourdes Concepcion- Viera
Assistant Director/Advisor
Adult Learning Program
Jamaica Plain Community Centers
20 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Tel 617-635-5201 Ext. 105
Fax 617-635-5273
viera.lourdes2@gmail.com
DTA Guidance for Evacuees of Irma, Harvey and Maria
DTA has updated their guidance for their staff about aiding evacuees coming to MA to include Irma, Harvey and Maria. DTA administers TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP.
Key points:
- Eligibility for DTA programs remains the same.
- DTA recognizes the difficulty evacuees will have in providing verifications. DTA has reminded case manager to "use every means possible" to help evacuees applying for benefits in Massachusetts with providing verifications. This includes utilizing data matches and sources, collateral contact (such as a family member to establish identity), or the applicant’s self-declaration, if no other documentation is available.
- Staff are reminded that there is no durational requirement for Massachusetts residency nor is a client required to intend to live here permanently.
- Reminder that those who receive cash assistance from DTA (TAFDC or EAEDC) are automatically eligible for MassHealth and do not need to apply separately. (Those only receiving SNAP do need to apply separately.)
Federal Health Insurance Exchanges
Those who live in states that offer coverage through the Federal Health Insurance Exchange can request a Special Enrollment Period through March 31, 2018. State look-up: www.commonwealthfund.org/interactives-and-data/maps-and-data/state-exchange-map
MassHealth
MassHealth has also developed procedures to streamline the application process for these hurricane evacuees who apply for MassHealth. Resources include a Memo from MassHealth and accompanying Self-Attestation Form For Hurricane Evacuees Applying for MassHealth form, which outline the process to assist impacted individuals who have relocated to Massachusetts and apply for MassHealth.
New! FAQs about New MassHealth Application Process to Assist Individuals Relocating to Massachusetts as a Result of Recent Hurricanes (11/13/17)
Key points:
- MassHealth has announced a special dedicated phone line for hurricane evacuees applying for MassHealth: 844-748-3928 (TTY: 1-800-497-4648)
- To be eligible for MassHealth, individuals must intend to reside in Massachusetts. However, there is no durational requirement for Massachusetts residency nor is an individual required to intend to live here permanently.
- In recognition that those who have fled storm-affected areas may have little or no documentation, MassHealth will utilize electronic data sources to attempt to verify information. If electronic data sources are unable to verify the application information, a Request for Information (RFI) notice will be sent. The individual may be eligible for provisional eligibility benefits for up to 90 days pending verification. MassHealth will accept self-attestation for all eligibility criteria except citizenship and immigration (federal requirement). Self-attestation forms are available in English and Spanish.
- One cannot have Medicaid in more than one state. If you enroll in MassHealth you will be disenrolled from the other state’s Medicaid. Individuals who wish to maintain residency in their home state/territory and wish to maintain Medicaid coverage in their home state/territory should inform health care providers of their existing coverage. Massachusetts is working to obtain information for health care providers to facilitate their seeking reimbursement from other states’ or territories’ Medicaid programs. In the interim, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published Frequently Asked Questions addressing related issues.
Medicare Special Enrollment Periods- Extended!
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has established special enrollment periods (SEPs) for people impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
A Medicare SEP is available to individuals affected by the hurricanes to enroll, dis-enroll or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plans (change or join Medicare Part C and Part D plans, even if they utilized the fall open enrollment period).
- Eligibility: Individuals who reside, or resided at the start of the incident period, in an area for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared an emergency or a major disaster; individuals who do not live in the affected areas but rely on friends or family members who live in the affected areas for help making health care decisions.
- Timing: Extended! From the start of the incident period through
December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018.
- How to utilize: Individuals may contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request enrollment using this SEP.
More information: CMS Center for Medicare Memo and Q&As for Medicare Beneficiaries.
Contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request enrollment using this SEP.
Housing- Cambridge Housing Authority
The Cambridge Housing Authority is making it easier for people displaced by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria to qualify for Cambridge public housing. Agency commissioners approved a temporary policy that will allow families and individuals who lost their homes in the storms to apply for emergency housing (i.e., priority on the waitlist).
Before the change, only people who lived or worked in Cambridge, or were veterans, could seek housing after a fire or natural disaster that destroyed their homes. That meant victims of the hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands could not apply unless they were veterans, agency Deputy Executive Director Brenda Snowden Downing said in a memorandum to Executive Director Michael Johnston.
Applicants approved for emergency housing are placed at the top of long waiting lists for public housing and get the next available apartment – which they can continue living in long term, like any other tenant.
The emergency housing policy will last for six months or until 20 applicants have been placed, whichever comes first. Only public housing units will be available, not Section 8 rent assistance certificates that help families lease private housing. If a family or individual already has a Section 8 certificate, they must give it up before moving into a public housing unit, the policy says.
Applicants would have to demonstrate that they lived in the affected areas, providing evidence such as a driver’s license, utility bill or other documents showing address. Displaced families may not be able to immediately show documents they need to demonstrate eligibility for public housing, including Social Security cards, birth certificates, proof of income and photo identification for everyone in the family, Downing said. The authority will give them two months after they move into a unit to come up with the documents.
-See the full Cambridge Day article.
MGH Employees
- MGH Emergency Response Fund- If you are a MGH employee who was affected by these natural disasters and in need of financial assistance to help you and your family rebuild in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean or Mexico (earthquake), please fill out an application, which can be found here. Paper forms are available at the Employee Access Center (Bulfinch 107) or at the HR Office on White 14. Forms can be returned to one of these locations or emailed to Humanresourcesmgh@partners.org.
- Grant requests were accepted until November 7.
- The EAP is always available for confidential and private support and offers continually updated resources. They can provide updated information about conditions, and details about how to reach family members and where to donate. Call (866) 724-4327.
- The Spiritual Care Department has a team of spiritual care providers who represent different faith traditions, available to staff 24/7. Call (617) 726-2220.
- The Employee Wage Advance Program through HR and EAP offer staff the opportunity to apply for a wage advance – under circumstances where someone has a specific financial need – which would then be paid back through payroll deduction.
- Earned Time donation/cash out: Speak with a HR business partner for more information about the program.
