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<DIV> Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>With the increasing number of emails, I wanted to forward
immediately.</DIV>
<DIV>Thanks, Pamela Gaston, NJ CBVI.</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>---</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY:
inline'><B>From:</B>
<A title=Pamela.Gaston@dhs.nj.gov
href="mailto:Pamela.Gaston@dhs.nj.gov">Pamela
Gaston</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 30, 2020 3:43 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Provisions of Importance to People with Disabilities
Contained in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
Act</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;
COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">
<H1
style='FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman", serif; COLOR:
rgb(32,31,30); BACKGROUND-COLOR: white'><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif; FONT-WEIGHT: normal;
COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); MARGIN: 0px">T</SPAN></U><U><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-serif; FONT-WEIGHT: normal;
COLOR: black; MARGIN: 0px">he
following information is being forwarded by the National Federation of the
Blind
of New Jersey and the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a
courtesy, in accordance with our continued efforts to share information that
may
be of interest or of benefit to individuals who are blind, visually impaired
and
deafblind.</SPAN></U></H1></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV id=Signature>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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<DIV id=id-af165b63-90b3-4987-9ca2-0933922c419f
class=ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message>
<DIV class=WordSection1 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif">Date: March 27,
2020</SPAN><BR></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"><FONT
size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">The
following is a summary of major provisions of importance to people with
disabilities contained in the bipartisan Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and
Economic
Security Act (CARES Act). </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"><FONT
size=3></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Cash
Payments to Individuals</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
the CARES Act provides U.S. residents with a rebate of up to $1,200 ($2,400
for
married couples), provided the individual’s adjusted gross income is under
$75,000 or $150,000 if married. In addition, individuals would be eligible
for
an additional $500 per child. The Internal Revenue Service will use
individual’s
2019 or 2018 tax return if filed. For individuals who earned more than
75,000
and less than 99,000, the rebate amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 that
the
individual’s income exceeds the 75,000 threshold. The same applies for joint
filers with no children who earn up to $198,000. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social
Security
Disability Insurance (SSDI) will receive a rebate even if the individual
paid no
tax in 2019.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Coronavirus
Testing</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
The CARES Act ensures that all testing for COVID-19 is covered by private
insurance plans without cost sharing. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
When a COVID-19vaccine is available, the CARES Act will provide free
coverage
with no cost-sharing. It is hoped that this provision will stimulate
investment
in developing a vaccine for COVID-19. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Food
& Nutrition Assistance</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$15.5 billion in additional funding for SNAP to ensure seniors and children
have
the food they need during this crisis </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$8.8 billion in additional funding for Children Nutrition Programs which
will
ensure students receive meals while not in school. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$450 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) which will
support food backs assisting vulnerable communities </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$200 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which provides
services
to individuals and families in sudden economic crisis. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
The CARES Act waives nutrition requirements for Older Americans Act (OAA)
meal
programs during the public health emergency ensuring seniors can get meals
in
the event certain food options are not available, making it easier for
providers
to meet growing needs of seniors. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Health
Care</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Authorizes and appropriates approximately $4.5 billion for Community Health
Centers through November 30, 2020. This is in addition to supplemental
funding
to help community health centers meet the needs of patients during the
public
health emergency. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$3.5 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant, which will allow
crucial child care programs to maintain operations. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$955 million for the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to support
nutrition programs, home and community-based services, support for family
caregivers, and expand oversight and protections for seniors and individuals
with disabilities. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$750 million in Head Start funding primarily intended to maintain staffing
needs. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Approximately $335 million for the Money Follows the Person demonstration
and
authorizes the program through November 30, 2020. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Extends the Community Mental Health Services demonstration program authority
through November 30, 2020, and allows for the expansion of the program into
more
states. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$7,500,000 for Area Agencies on Aging, whose authority is authorized through
November 30, 2020. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$5,000,000 for the Aging and Disability Resource Centers, whose authority is
authorized through November 30, 2020. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Extends the Medicaid spousal impoverishment protections program through
November
30, 2020, which will help a spouse of an individual who qualifies for
nursing
home level of care to live at home in the community. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Extends funding for the Special Diabetes Program for Type I Diabetes and the
Special Diabetes Program for native Americans at current levels through
November
30, 2020. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Education</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Temporary relief to federal student loan borrowers, specifically by
deferring
student loan payments, principal, and interest for six months, through
September
30, 2020, without penalty to the borrower for all federally owed loans. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
The Secretary of Education will submit recommendations to Congress within 30
days of enactment on recommendations for potential waivers. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Labor</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$1 billion for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to help states and
localities address unemployment issues. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$360 million for the Department of Labor to invest in programs that provide
training and supportive services for dislocated workers, seniors, migrant
farmworkers, and homeless veterans. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$250 billion in new unemployment insurance benefits, which will include up
to
$600 per week, in addition to eligible state benefits, for four months for
workers affected by the crisis. This will include those who are
self-employed,
independent contractors, and others who are unable to work due to the public
health emergency. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
The CARES Act provides authority for payments to states to reimburse
nonprofits
for half of the costs they incur through December 31, 2020, in order to pay
unemployment benefits. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
The CARES Act also provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits
through the remainder of 2020 to help those who remain unemployed after
state
unemployment benefits are no longer available. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Allows the Secretary of Labor to extend older adults’ participation in
community
service projects through the Older Americans Act to ensure continued
employment
under the program. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Small
Business Relief</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$562 million to ensure the Small Business Administration has the resources
needed to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) that will help
businesses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia remain open. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Tax credits for employers to keep employees on payroll for the duration of
this
crisis. Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, unless otherwise
specified by the SBA industry-specific standards, are eligible for payroll
protection loans. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
The CARES Act specifies the loans are available for certain nonprofit
entities
with employee totals between 500 and 10,000, for the first six months of the
loan with no interest or principal. The recipient must make a “good-faith
certification” that funds will be used to retain 90 percent of the recipient’s
workforce through September 30, 2020, or, that funds will be used to restore
90
percent of the workforce of the recipient that existed as of February 1,
2020
within four months after the end of the public health emergency. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Paid Leave Limitation: The CARES Act puts a limitation in place that states
employers are not required to pay more than $200 per day and $10,000 in the
aggregate for each eligible employee. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
Emergency Paid Sick Leave Limitation: Puts a limitation in place that
employers
are not required to pay more than $511 per day and $5,110 in the aggregate
for
sick leave or more than $200 per and $2,000 in the aggregate to care for a
quarantined individual or child for each eligible employee. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Veterans
Affairs</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$590 million for the VA to ensure vulnerable veterans have access to needed
services, such as the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program, Supportive
Services for Veterans Families Program, and others. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">Transportation</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program which
will
support maintenance and expansion of community health facilities, child care
centers, food banks, and other senior services. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$4 billion for Emergency Solution Grants, which will support individuals and
families at risk of homelessness. These funds can be used to support housing
needs, prevent eviction, or support rapid rehousing initiatives. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$3 billion for Rental Assistance Programs which will be used to help
millions of
low-income households to remain in their homes and utilize temporary housing
assistance. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri, sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt">•
$65 million for housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities for
rental
assistance, service coordinators, and support services.
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