<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">is the Monday meeting for the entire affiliate membership? I thought it was just board but it looks like from your message that it's for everyone? <br><br><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sent from my iPhone</span></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Apr 2, 2020, at 3:44 PM, James Gashel <jgashel0923@gmail.com> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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--></style><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks Melissa: good article. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">For our presentation on Monday, or whenever we do it, I am thinking we should schedule it for say 3:00 PM, HST, and send an invite for distribution to all the states; 3:00 PM here would be 9:00 EDT. This time would make it feasible for anyone on the mainland to listen in.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">About presenters, I am thinking that Virgil should open the event with some general welcoming remarks. After that, I will be happy to do some of the presentation, especially about SSDI and SSI concerns, but wondering if Melissa, Dean, Diana, and/or someone else can talk about other points, especially details of the EIP and also UI eligibility. I may be able to recruit Michael Dalto from Baltimore to present but don’t know if there would be a cost; thinking we shouldn’t pay someone. I have already done 2 presentations with Michael so know we can work well together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">About the topic for the zoom invite, I would say: “What you need to know about new options for financial help resulting from the COVID-19 emergency. Join us for an explanation of opportunities, issues, and what you can expect; especially important for people who get SSDI and/or SSI.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thoughts anyone? Hinking we should have a meeting over the weekend to discuss. Also, we should also be sure this meeting is recorded so we can send out the link for anyone to hear it later.T<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Best and aloha,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">James Gashel<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">M: (808) 234-9259<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">E: <a href="mailto:jgashel0923@gmail.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">jgashel0923@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Connect with me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/james.gashel"><span style="color:#0563C1">FaceBook</span></a>, or<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/JGashel"><span style="color:#0563C1">Twitter</span></a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Melissa Gerber <mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 2, 2020 9:32 AM<br><b>To:</b> dean.patriot@gmail.com; diannagjones@gmail.com; 808virgil@gmail.com; 808keim@gmail.com; Gloria Tuuao <gtuuao@hawaii.edu>; KLaconsay@dhs.hawaii.gov; Kyle Laconsay <hearkylaugh@gmail.com>; snoopytdr@aol.com; sgashel@comcast.net; SKYCOMHAWAII@msn.com; shonteljones1@gmail.com; Shell Cantan <jrcantan@yahoo.com>; hammond.kona@yahoo.com; Nani Fife <nanifife@aol.com>; nfb-hi@nfbnet.org; Michael Norton <michael@tkprivee.com>; dabeachbumz@hotmail.com; khamtoun@gmail.com; Jenny Buhler <jabuhle@gmail.com>; jksniffen@gmail.com; joelcho@hawaii.rr.com; jgashel0923@gmail.com; hiabs@nfbnet.org; dakasami@gmail.com; moifeva@aol.com; dgabe808@gmail.com; dmaurer68@gmail.com; danealani@gmail.com; chong.curtis@gmail.com; cha.m.smith@icloud.com; Cassie Certeza <cmcerteza@gmail.com>; Brenda Lucas <bluca72@gmail.com>; young.brandon4@gmail.com; ulalamama18@gmail.com; lemke@hawaii.edu; Anastacia Fong <Anastacia808@yahoo.com>; ally.keene@verizon.net; yvettecr@yahoo.com; shannoncantan.nfb@gmail.com; shannon.cantan@gmail.com; rachel.s.brandt@gmail.com; mserika_2006@yahoo.com; makapaa1961@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> Fwd: [Fwd: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits]<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p><div id="AppleMailSignature"><p class="MsoNormal">Melissa Gerber<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Program Manager<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Abilities Unlimited<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b>From:</b> "Natasha Nakatsuka" <<a href="mailto:Nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org">Nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a>><br><b>Date:</b> April 2, 2020 at 7:13:00 AM HST<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:Mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org">Mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a>, <a href="mailto:msuehiro@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org">msuehiro@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[Fwd: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits]</b><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------<br>Subject: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits<br>From: <a href="mailto:rac79@cornell.edu">rac79@cornell.edu</a><br>Date: Thu, April 2, 2020 5:47 am<br>To: <a href="mailto:nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org">nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br><br>covid-19 and SOCIAL INSURAnce Programs With ongoing impact of covid-19<br>still not fully understood by the community at large, individuals with<br>disabilities who regularly access a series of public benefits are left<br>with a variety of questions about the impact of the various federal and<br>state legislative and administrative actions on these various benefits. <br>Key language in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act<br>(CARES Act) serves as a guidepost from which the impact on benefits can<br>be better understood. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any<br>refund (or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit) made to<br>any individual under this title shall not be taken into account as<br>income, and shall not be taken into account as resources for a period of<br>12 months from receipt, for purposes of determining the eligibility of<br>such individual (or any other individual) for benefits or assistance (or<br>the amount or extent of benefits or assistance) under any Federal program<br>or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with<br>Federal funds. 26 U.S. Code § 6409 Supplemental Security<br>Income (SSI): Individuals who are receiving SSI need to be aware of<br>several key elements related to the stimulus payment: 1. Stimulus<br>payments are NOT taxable. 2. Stimulus payments received by the<br>individual that are initiated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and<br>Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will not counts as income in the<br>calculation of the individual’s SSI amount for that month(26 U.S.<br>Code § 6409). 3. Stimulus payments will not be counted as<br>“resources” for a twelve month period following the receipt<br>of the funds (26 U.S. Code § 6409). Social Security Disability<br>Insurance (SSDI), Disabled Widow(er) Benefits (DWB), Childhood Disability<br>Benefits (CDB) The stimulus payment will have no impact on any of these<br>Title II benefits: SSDI, DWB, CDB, and SSA Retirement. These benefits<br>are classified as insurance benefits and are NOT impacted by unearned<br>income. In addition, the stimulus payments will NOT be taxable. Please<br>note that Title II benefits are SSA benefits. SSI benefits are federal<br>welfare benefits. At any time when the Act refers to “Social<br>---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------<br>Subject: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits<br>From: <a href="mailto:rac79@cornell.edu">rac79@cornell.edu</a><br>Date: Thu, April 2, 2020 5:47 am<br>To: <a href="mailto:nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org">nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br><br>covid-19 and SOCIAL INSURAnce Programs With ongoing impact of covid-19<br>still not fully understood by the community at large, individuals with<br>disabilities who regularly access a series of public benefits are left<br>with a variety of questions about the impact of the various federal and<br>state legislative and administrative actions on these various benefits. <br>Key language in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act<br>(CARES Act) serves as a guidepost from which the impact on benefits can<br>be better understood. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any<br>refund (or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit) made to<br>any individual under this title shall not be taken into account as<br>income, and shall not be taken into account as resources for a period of<br>12 months from receipt, for purposes of determining the eligibility of<br>such individual (or any other individual) for benefits or assistance (or<br>the amount or extent of benefits or assistance) under any Federal program<br>or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with<br>Federal funds. 26 U.S. Code § 6409 Supplemental Security<br>Income (SSI): Individuals who are receiving SSI need to be aware of<br>several key elements related to the stimulus payment: 1. Stimulus<br>payments are NOT taxable. 2. Stimulus payments received by the<br>individual that are initiated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and<br>Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will not counts as income in the<br>calculation of the individual’s SSI amount for that month(26 U.S.<br>Code § 6409). 3. Stimulus payments will not be counted as<br>“resources” for a twelve month period following the receipt<br>of the funds (26 U.S. Code § 6409). Social Security Disability<br>Insurance (SSDI), Disabled Widow(er) Benefits (DWB), Childhood Disability<br>Benefits (CDB) The stimulus payment will have no impact on any of these<br>Title II benefits: SSDI, DWB, CDB, and SSA Retirement. These benefits<br>are classified as insurance benefits and are NOT impacted by unearned<br>income. In addition, the stimulus payments will NOT be taxable. Please<br>note that Title II benefits are SSA benefits. SSI benefits are federal<br>welfare benefits. At any time when the Act refers to “Social<br>Security Benefits, “SSI” in not included unless specifically<br>stated by the statute. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)<br>There is no impact on SNAP benefits due to the receipt of a stimulus<br>payment in accordance with 26 U.S. Code § 6409. Housing and Urban<br>Development (HUD) There is no impact on HUD rent subsidies due to the<br>receipt of the stimulus funds. Further, HUD housing does not consider an<br>individual’s resources. Only the income produced by the resource,<br>bank interest, is considered by HUD. *Please check your state rules<br>concerning and state public housing in which an individual may be living.<br> HUD has also extended a “tailored set of mortgage payment relief<br>options for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages”. <br>“Effective immediately for borrowers with a financial hardship that<br>makes them unable to pay their mortgage due to the COVID-19 National<br>Emergency, mortgage servicers must extend deferred or reduced mortgage<br>payment options - called forbearance - for up to six months, and must<br>provide an additional six months of forbearance if requested by the<br>borrower”[1]. Medicaid In all states that have accepted the Federal<br>Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) 6.2% increase from the federal<br>government (only NYS is in question), Medicaid recipients who received<br>benefits before the COVID-19 crisis, or become eligible during the crisis<br>cannot be terminated from Medicaid. On a case by case basis, states may<br>change the category or eligibility, e.g., from regular Medicaid to<br>1619(b) or Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities<br>(MBI-WPD), but terminations of coverage will not be allowed. Medicare The<br>stimulus payment will have no impact on Medicare premiums or eligibility.<br>Medicare Savings Plans (MSPs), those programs that see Medicaid paying<br>all or part of Medicare premiums for Parts B and D, will also not be<br>impacted by the stimulus payments in accordance with above language (26<br>U.S. Code § 6409). Temporary Assistance for Needy Families<br>(TANF) In accordance with the language in 26 U.S. Code § 6409, the<br>stimulus payment will have no impact on TANF eligibility or resource<br>levels for a 12 month period from receipt of the funds. Unemployment<br>Insurance (UI) Each state is responsible for establishing its own UI<br>benefits eligibility. In general, individuals qualify when: ü <br>Are unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states, this means<br>you have to have separated from your last job due to a lack of available<br>work. ü Meet work and wage requirements. You must meet your<br>state’s requirements for wages earned or time worked during an<br>established period of time referred to as a "base period." In<br>most states, this is usually the first four out of the last five<br>completed calendar quarters before the time that your claim is filed.<br>ü Meet any additional state requirements. Find details of your own<br>state’s program. [2] Important UI Facts: · UI<br>has been extended beyond the “normal” 26 weeks to 39 weeks.<br>*Note: § Massachusetts residents will receive 43 weeks as the<br>Commonwealth provides 30 weeks of UI in normal circumstances. § <br>If your state pays other than 26 weeks in normal circumstances, simply<br>add 13 weeks to the number of state weeks of payment · The<br>federal government will also add $600 per week to the maximum state U/I<br>benefit paid. For instance, if your state maximum payment is $450 per<br>week, the weekly check will be $1045. There appears to be no variation<br>in payment for those not receiving the maximum in your states so we must<br>assume, until we receive other information that the $600 per week will be<br>added to all UI amounts paid by the state. · For SSD/I<br>workers with disabilities that will have to meet your state “base<br>rate”; meaning that they have to have worked long enough and earned<br>enough to be eligible for UI. See your state’s UI website for this<br>information. Many websites also have calculators to estimate payments.<br>Important UI and SSI Facts: · SSI recipients are required<br>to apply for any other benefit they may be eligible to receive when told<br>of potential eligibility. The SSA Program Operations Manual System<br>(POMS) states: ü SSA advises him/her, on a written, dated notice,<br>of potential eligibility for other benefits; and ü He/she does not<br>take all appropriate steps to file for and, if eligible, obtain any such<br>payments within 30 days of receipt of such notice. · For<br>those SSI recipients that meet your state’s UI “base<br>period” the potential of receiving $2400 plus the state U/I benefit<br>exists. SSI recipients could receive much more through the UI program<br>than through the SSI program. Thus, they should be encouraged to apply<br>ASAP for UI. Given that be maximum period of receipt of UI is 43 months,<br>SSI recipients will still be suspended when UI ends. Please note: ü<br>At the conclusion of the UI, the recipient MUST call SSA to have the SSI<br>reinstated. ü Any EXCESS resources held at the time reinstatement<br>is requested will count toward the resource limit. ü Achieving a<br>Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts or other protected savings<br>mechanisms could be considered, if eligible, to ensure SSI resource rules<br>are met.<br><br>released April 2, 2020 [1] HUD (2020, April 1). HUD issues new CARES<br>act mortgage payment relief for FHA single family homeowners. HUD<br><a href="https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_048">https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_20_048</a> <br>[2] DOL (2020, April, 2). How do I file for unemployment insurance? DOL<br><a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance">https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></body></html>