GWINNETT HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS

Are you over 60 and facing hunger, health, or mobility issues?

Do you know of someone who is?
WE CAN HELP. Emergency assistance for seniors is available.
Call 678.377.4150 to speak with Senior Services staff.

678.377.4150 • GwinnettHumanServices.com

Visit Coronavirus.gov for prevention tips and
more information about the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, click here:

./uploads/Senior%20Assistance%20Flyer.pdf

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EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM

The EBB is a $3.2 billion federal initiative to help Americans access the affordable, high-speed internet they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a short-term program that will end once the funds have been utilized.

What is the Benefit?

Up to $50/month discount for high-speed internet services
Up to $75/month discount for high-speed internet services for households on Tribal land
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.

To learn more about the program and how to apply, click here.

**ELECTION PRIMARIES HAVE BEGUN **

Important Election Dates:

May 13 / Deadline to request absentee ballot

Download or call Gwinnett Board of Elections (678-226-7210) to have a request form sent to you.

NOTE: check box AND check reason on the back of the request to automatically receive ballots for the remainder of the year.

May 2nd - 20th / Early Voting (7 AM - 7 PM)

7 days/week, including weekends

NOTE: Disabled and those over 75 can go to the front of the line.

For a printable copy of this date information, click here:

Election Reminders - Google Slides.pdf

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GEORGIA'S CAREGIVERS' ACT

Across our state family caregivers help their older parents, spouses, adults and children with disabilities, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes and communities—instead of in costly, taxpayer-funded institutions. They assist with meal preparation, managing finances, transportation, and much more.

Many Georgia family caregivers also perform medical or nursing tasks for their loved ones like complex medication management, wound care, and injections. Yet most receive little or no training for these important duties. That’s why
AARP Georgia is asking the Georgia state legislature to support caregiving families with a no-cost, commonsense bill called the Georgia Caregivers Act:

The Act requires three primary elements:
• Identify: The patient identifies a caregiver upon admission to the hospital
• Notify: The caregiver is notified of the plan to discharge the patient home
• Instruct: The caregiver is given live instruction and training on the medical and nursing tasks to be performed at home.

In 2021, more than half of Georgia’s hospitals were penalized for excessive patient readmissions. The Georgia Caregivers Act could help. In states where the CARE Act is law, nurses and other health and social service professionals
say it has helped them engage with family caregivers and reduce unnecessary re-hospitalizations.

The Georgia Caregivers Act passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and is now on Governor Kemp's desk awaiting his signature! AARP Georgia thanks bill sponsors - Representative Lee Hawkins and Senator Dean Burke - for their efforts to support family caregivers in
Georgia!

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Are you wondering what Georgia's New Voting Legislation does? Click here for an overview prepared by Steve Toggerson.

./uploads/Update%20on%20Voter%20Legislation.pdf

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USE YOUR POWER, RAISE YOUR VOICE...TO MAKE YOUR CHOICE KNOWN AND YOUR COMMUNITY BETTER

(Prepared by Steve Toggerson)

To contact your legislator:

Step 1: Go to openstates.org

Step 2: Select Georgia from the drop-down menu

Step 3: Click on "Legislators"

Step 4: Enter your full address (including zip code)

Step 5: Click on your legislator's name for phone # and email address.

When you make contact, follow these useful pointers:

Ask to speak to your Representative or Senator by title & last name (Expect to speak with a staff member)
Let them know you are a constituent
Reference bill # (HB1304) and nickname (The Caregivers Act)
Ask if legislator can support the bill (allows a designee of the patient to serve as assistant, and be taught, along with the patient, the discharge summary of home care prior to leaving the hospital)
Be brief / don't argue / thank them for their time

NOTE: The pointers reference a specific bill, but they are applicable to any bill of interest.

To print this guidance, click the following link:

./uploads/Contacting%20your%20legislators.pdf

AARP GEORGIA AND CHANGES...

Nancy Pitra (AARP Georgia) is moving on... to a new role.

To read her farewell announcement, click here:

2022-04-14 Nancy Pitra's Announcement and Thank you.pdf

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SOCIAL SECURITY PRESS RELEASE:

New Economic Impact Payment Guidance

Please share the press release attached with your clients, colleagues, affiliates, and other interested parties. Below is a summary of the press release:

Treasury has launched a new Economic Impact Payment (EIP) web tool to assist individuals who normally do not file taxes. www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
The eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.
Social Security beneficiaries (receive benefits on the 3^rd or Wednesdays of the month) who do not have qualifying children under the age 17, do not need to take any action with IRS. Will receive economic impact payment (EIP) directly from IRS to bank account, direct express card or paper check.
Any new beneficiaries since January 2020, who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, must visit the IRS Non-Filers Page: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
Social Security beneficiaries, who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and have qualifying children under age 17 need to visit www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments in order to receive the $500 per dependent child EIP timely in addition to the $1200.00 individual payment that will be automatically sent. Failure to proactively enter information will result in a delay in receiving the $500 dependent child EIP.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI- payment received on the 1^st of the month) recipients with dependent children under age 17 must follow the same procedures in order to receive the $500 child EIP payment timely.
Treasury and Social Security are working closely to determine how to automate EIP payments for Supplemental Security Income recipients.

Continue to stay up to date on Social Security’s response to COVID-19 by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/.

Thank you,

Georgia Area Director’s Office

Social Security Administration

To read the entire press release, click here.NA