<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#0000ff">Greetings:</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#0000ff">Jim I like your ideas for presenters and the title. If Virgil thinks it would be beneficial to have someone talk about personal experience applying for EIDL locally, I can do that. Might be good to have someone speak about their experience applying for a Paycheck Protection loan locally. Of course my suggestions are not a requirement to convey the information needed, but they might give people a flavor of what the local experience will be like. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#0000ff"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#0000ff">thanks for your great ideas.</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(153,0,255);font-family:"Embassy BT";font-size:36pt">Dianna</span><span style="color:rgb(153,0,255);font-family:"England Hand DB";font-size:xx-large"> </span><br></div><div><br></div><div><b><font face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4" color="#000000"><i>Dianna G. Jones, PhD</i></font></b><b><font color="#351c75" face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i><br></i></font></b></div><div><b><font color="#351c75" face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i>Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii</i></font></b><br></div><div><br></div><div><b><font color="#351c75" face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i>President</i></font></b></div><div><font color="#351c75" face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b><i>National Federation of the Blind, West Hawaii Chapter</i></b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><div><b></b><font size="4"></font><font color="#351c75"></font><i></i><font face="tahoma,sans-serif"></font><br></div><div><br></div><div><b><font face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i><font color="#351c75">Phone: </font><a value="+18089898431"><font color="#351c75">808-238-1426</font></a></i></font></b><br></div><div><b><font face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i><font color="#351c75">Email: </font><font color="#0000ff"><a href="mailto:dianna@inspirestsolutions.com" target="_blank">diannagjonesNFB@g</a><a href="http://mail.com" target="_blank">mail.com</a></font></i></font></b></div><div><b><font face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i><br></i></font></b></div><div><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:16px">The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.</span><b><font face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i><br></i></font></b></div><div><br></div><div><div><b><font face="tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><i><br></i></font></b></div><div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 8:38 PM debbie gabe via NFB-HI <<a href="mailto:nfb-hi@nfbnet.org">nfb-hi@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">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>
Sent from my iPhone<br>
<br>
> On Apr 2, 2020, at 3:44 PM, James Gashel <<a href="mailto:jgashel0923@gmail.com" target="_blank">jgashel0923@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Thanks Melissa: good article.<br>
> <br>
> 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.<br>
> <br>
> 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.<br>
> <br>
> 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.”<br>
> <br>
> 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<br>
> <br>
> Best and aloha,<br>
> <br>
> James Gashel<br>
> <br>
> M: (808) 234-9259<br>
> E: <a href="mailto:jgashel0923@gmail.com" target="_blank">jgashel0923@gmail.com</a><br>
> <br>
> Connect with me on FaceBook, or<br>
> Follow me on Twitter<br>
> <br>
> From: Melissa Gerber <<a href="mailto:mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org" target="_blank">mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a>> <br>
> Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2020 9:32 AM<br>
> To: <a href="mailto:dean.patriot@gmail.com" target="_blank">dean.patriot@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:diannagjones@gmail.com" target="_blank">diannagjones@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:808virgil@gmail.com" target="_blank">808virgil@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:808keim@gmail.com" target="_blank">808keim@gmail.com</a>; Gloria Tuuao <<a href="mailto:gtuuao@hawaii.edu" target="_blank">gtuuao@hawaii.edu</a>>; <a href="mailto:KLaconsay@dhs.hawaii.gov" target="_blank">KLaconsay@dhs.hawaii.gov</a>; Kyle Laconsay <<a href="mailto:hearkylaugh@gmail.com" target="_blank">hearkylaugh@gmail.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:snoopytdr@aol.com" target="_blank">snoopytdr@aol.com</a>; <a href="mailto:sgashel@comcast.net" target="_blank">sgashel@comcast.net</a>; <a href="mailto:SKYCOMHAWAII@msn.com" target="_blank">SKYCOMHAWAII@msn.com</a>; <a href="mailto:shonteljones1@gmail.com" target="_blank">shonteljones1@gmail.com</a>; Shell Cantan <<a href="mailto:jrcantan@yahoo.com" target="_blank">jrcantan@yahoo.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:hammond.kona@yahoo.com" target="_blank">hammond.kona@yahoo.com</a>; Nani Fife <<a href="mailto:nanifife@aol.com" target="_blank">nanifife@aol.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:nfb-hi@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfb-hi@nfbnet.org</a>; Michael Norton <<a href="mailto:michael@tkprivee.com" target="_blank">michael@tkprivee.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:dabeachbumz@hotmail.com" target="_blank">dabeachbumz@hotmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:khamtoun@gmail.com" target="_blank">khamtoun@gmail.com</a>; Jenny Buhler <<a href="mailto:jabuhle@gmail.com" target="_blank">jabuhle@gmail.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:jksniffen@gmail.com" target="_blank">jksniffen@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:joelcho@hawaii.rr.com" target="_blank">joelcho@hawaii.rr.com</a>; <a href="mailto:jgashel0923@gmail.com" target="_blank">jgashel0923@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:hiabs@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">hiabs@nfbnet.org</a>; <a href="mailto:dakasami@gmail.com" target="_blank">dakasami@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:moifeva@aol.com" target="_blank">moifeva@aol.com</a>; <a href="mailto:dgabe808@gmail.com" target="_blank">dgabe808@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:dmaurer68@gmail.com" target="_blank">dmaurer68@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:danealani@gmail.com" target="_blank">danealani@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:chong.curtis@gmail.com" target="_blank">chong.curtis@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:cha.m.smith@icloud.com" target="_blank">cha.m.smith@icloud.com</a>; Cassie Certeza <<a href="mailto:cmcerteza@gmail.com" target="_blank">cmcerteza@gmail.com</a>>; Brenda Lucas <<a href="mailto:bluca72@gmail.com" target="_blank">bluca72@gmail.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:young.brandon4@gmail.com" target="_blank">young.brandon4@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:ulalamama18@gmail.com" target="_blank">ulalamama18@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:lemke@hawaii.edu" target="_blank">lemke@hawaii.edu</a>; Anastacia Fong <<a href="mailto:Anastacia808@yahoo.com" target="_blank">Anastacia808@yahoo.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:ally.keene@verizon.net" target="_blank">ally.keene@verizon.net</a>; <a href="mailto:yvettecr@yahoo.com" target="_blank">yvettecr@yahoo.com</a>; <a href="mailto:shannoncantan.nfb@gmail.com" target="_blank">shannoncantan.nfb@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:shannon.cantan@gmail.com" target="_blank">shannon.cantan@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:rachel.s.brandt@gmail.com" target="_blank">rachel.s.brandt@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:mserika_2006@yahoo.com" target="_blank">mserika_2006@yahoo.com</a>; <a href="mailto:makapaa1961@gmail.com" target="_blank">makapaa1961@gmail.com</a><br>
> Subject: Fwd: [Fwd: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits]<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Melissa Gerber<br>
> Program Manager<br>
> Abilities Unlimited<br>
> <br>
> Begin forwarded message:<br>
> <br>
> From: "Natasha Nakatsuka" <<a href="mailto:Nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org" target="_blank">Nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a>><br>
> Date: April 2, 2020 at 7:13:00 AM HST<br>
> To: <a href="mailto:Mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org" target="_blank">Mgerber@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a>, <a href="mailto:msuehiro@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org" target="_blank">msuehiro@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org</a><br>
> Subject: [Fwd: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits]<br>
> <br>
> ---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------<br>
> Subject: Final Cornell Memo on COVID-19 and benefits<br>
> From: <a href="mailto:rac79@cornell.edu" target="_blank">rac79@cornell.edu</a><br>
> Date: Thu, April 2, 2020 5:47 am<br>
> To: <a href="mailto:nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org" target="_blank">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" target="_blank">rac79@cornell.edu</a><br>
> Date: Thu, April 2, 2020 5:47 am<br>
> To: <a href="mailto:nnakatsuka@abilitiesunlimitedhi.org" target="_blank">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" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">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" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance</a><br>
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</blockquote></div>