AG HEALEY TO DEBT COLLECTORS: COVID-19 STIMULUS PAYMENTS ARE OFF LIMITS

AG HEALEY TO DEBT COLLECTORS: COVID-19 STIMULUS PAYMENTS ARE OFF LIMITS

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued guidance to protect consumers who will receive a payment as a result of the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act from unfair debt collection practices and called on the Trump Administration to take immediate action to ensure these payments go to American families and not debt collectors.

According to the guidance, the AG’s Office has determined that emergency funds that will be issued to consumers starting this week through the CARES Act are exempt from seizure or garnishment by creditors under Massachusetts law. The AG’s Office also signed onto a multistate letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury asking the agency to protect CARES Act payments like other government relief programs and ensure the funds go to individuals and families, where they were originally intended. 

“These payments are supposed to help individuals and families put food on the table during this crisis, not enrich debt collectors,” AG Healey said. “With this guidance and letter, my office is putting the debt collection industry on notice that these payments are off limits.”

The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27 and provides emergency assistance for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Under the Act, eligible individuals and families can receive cash assistance including a one-time cash payment in the form of a refundable tax credit of up to $1,200 for each individual or $2,400 for eligible individuals filing a joint tax return, plus an additional $500 for each dependent child. Lesser or no amounts will be paid to individuals with higher incomes as measured by the taxpayer’s Adjusted Gross Income.

Massachusetts law exempts certain income and property from debt collection by creditors. The purpose of the exemption law is to ensure individuals have enough income and property to provide for basic necessities like housing, food, and utilities.

According to the AG’s guidance, any attempt or threat by a creditor or a debt collector to garnish or seize funds provided through the CARES Act violates the AG’s Debt Collection Regulations and the AG’s Emergency Debt Collection Regulations announced on March 27, which prohibit new garnishments during an emergency period. The AG’s guidance, however, does not apply to any actions taken by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, including any actions taken to collect past due child support.

Visit the AG’s website for more information about the AG’s Debt Collection Regulations and the AG’s Emergency Debt Collection Regulations. The AG’s Consumer Protection Division encourages members of the public to call 617-727-8400 or file a complaint online if you witness or experience aggressive debt collection or predatory lending during this public health emergency.

The AG Healey’s COVID-19 resources page has more information about how the office can assist the public during this crisis.

Today’s letter to the Treasury Department was led by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Joining AG Healey in signing onto the letter are the state attorneys general from California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection.

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Manufacturing Emergency Response Team To Support Supply Production

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Manufacturing Emergency Response Team To Support Supply Production

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a new initiative and over $10 million in funding to support manufacturers’ efforts to pivot production operations to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical devices, such as ventilators, sanitizers, and thermometers. To make this announcement, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today were joined by the Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kenneally, MassTech Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk and Brenna Schneider, CEO of 99Degrees, a Lawrence-based performance activewear manufacturing firm that has begun manufacturing gowns for health care workers.

Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (M-ERT): The M-ERT is a coordinated response by the Baker-Polito Administration and leading academic and industry stakeholders to support the Commonwealth’s manufacturers in their efforts to produce much-needed supplies for front-line workers and the health care system. Members of the M-ERT include representatives from: Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), MIT, MIT Lincoln Labs, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), and other industry partners.

The M-ERT is being launched alongside $10.6 million in new funding to help manufacturers scale their operations to produce PPE and other critical items. Companies can apply for grants through an online form for equipment, materials, supplies, workforce training and other needs. A Review Committee will process applications based on criteria including production timeline and recommend grant awards.

MassTech and AFFOA (Advanced Functional Fabrics of America), a member of the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation Institutes based in Cambridge, will administer $5.6 million in funds through the existing Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Institute (M2I2) program. Another $4 million has been made available through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), with an additional $1 million for workforce training contributed by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Commonwealth Corporation through the existing Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP).

In addition to this funding, the M-ERT will offer other assistance to manufacturers, including:

• Understanding what PPE and COVID-19 related materials are of highest priority to produce;

• Regulatory compliance, including insight into FDA guidance;

• Addressing specifications and testing that is necessary, and identifying in-state test centers;

• Retraining workers on new production lines and standards; and

• Sharing design and CAD files for critical items.

The Baker-Polito Administration will continue to update the public on developments related to COVID-19. Residents can visit www.mass.gov/covid19 for the latest information, call 2-1-1 with questions, and subscribe to text-alerts by texting “COVIDMA” or “COVIDMAESP” (for Spanish alerts) to 888-777. 

波士頓亞裔社區緊急救濟基金已募款168,799元 請熱心人繼續支持

            (Boston Orange報導)大波士頓亞裔社區6機構攜手成立的”亞裔社區緊急救濟基金(Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund)”，現已募得168.799.19元，超過目標額15萬元，將持續募款，幫助遭受新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)打擊民眾，度過難關。

               亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)，波士頓華人前進會(CPA-Boston)，越美發展計畫(VAID)，亞裔資源坊(AARW)，大波士頓法律服務亞裔外展小組，以及柬埔寨互惠援助協會(Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association)等這6個機構，眼見新型冠狀病毒疫情改變整個社會動態，商店關門，企業裁員，大波士頓地區許多在餐飲業，酒店業，居家護理，托兒服務等領域工作的人，所受打擊尤其嚴重，又深知許多移民礙於語言障礙，或身分狀態，在這困難時期，未必能獲得失業救濟金，經濟影響刺激方案等公共援助，可能面對無米下炊，無錢交租危機，亞裔社區還又面對社會中正漸高漲的反亞裔情緒，可能求助更難，因此攜手成立”亞裔社區緊急救濟基金”，希望籌募資金，濟助陷於困境的亞裔。

                 這基金將為失業，無法維持基本生活需求，可能也無資格領取其他公共福利者，提供濟助管道。
                 亞美社區發展協會行政主任劉安琪表示，基金上星期開始受理申請，迄今已有大約50人辦理手續。

               經由陳秀英(Helen Chin Schlichte)，李保華的努力，這基金有波士頓基金(Boston Foundation)提供了10,000元的種子金，歷經月餘籌募後，現已爭取到164名個人及機構支持，籌得168.799.19元，超過了目標額的15萬元。

               根據捐款網站上的”捐贈者牆”，捐贈者中有轄區包括華埠的國會眾議員普斯莉(Ayanna Pressley)的多名支持者，有基金會Hyams(25,000)，波士頓基金會(25,000)，聯合之路(United Way, 5000)，黃高壽地產信託，黃兆英家族，波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)等等。

               需要濟助的民眾，可撥打熱線電話，以廣東話 ‪(617) 681-5416，國語(617) 902-0342，高棉文(617) 952-4556，越南文(617) 701-6028求助。

               查詢相關細節，可上網https://donorbox.org/covid19-relief-fund。(更新版)

Are you or a family member out of work because of COVID-19? If you or your family member have tried applying for other benefits but are ineligible, you might qualify for a gift card from the Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund, created by Asian Community Development Corporation, Chinese Progressive Association - CPA Boston, Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), and Greater Boston Legal Services Asian Outreach Unit.

To apply, please call one of our hotlines:
Cantonese: ‪(617) 681-5416‬
Mandarin: (617) 902-0342
Khmer: (617) 952-4556
Vietnamese: (617) 701-6028

To make a donation or learn more about the fund, please visit: https://donorbox.org/covid19-relief-fund

匿名善長疫情中送驚喜 鱈魚角耆英超市結帳零元

(Boston Orange 編譯)居家防疫期間，人們看著確診，死亡人數日增，心情苦悶，聽到鱈魚角(Cape Cod)有早起耆英超市採買，付款時帳單竟然零元的消息，也不免微笑分享”復活節”驚喜。

波士頓25號電視頻道在4月11日晚報導，一匿名Provincetown居民在這人心惶惶期間，為當地耆英送上驚喜。他買了價值5000元的禮品卡，交代鱈魚角Stop & Shop店經理，把那用來為清晨6點到7點半間進店採滿的耆英付帳。

鱈魚角Stop & Shop把清晨6點到7點半設定為耆英購物專屬時間，好讓免疫力較弱，通常都早早就起床了的老人家們，可以在新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)疫情嚴峻期間，更放心的採買生活必需品。

這天進店採買的耆英到櫃檯結帳時，個個歡喜非常，向店員，店長連聲道謝，甚至還有人寫了感謝函，形容自己歡喜流淚，感激所有人，這天也會為某些陌生人做些事，把這善心好意傳播下去。

台裔心理諮商師小組 免費服務助人抗疫

                            (Boston Orange) 新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)在短短一，二個月間，橫掃世界，人們的生活日常發生天翻地覆變化，身心靈遭遇巨大挑戰。一群住在麻州的台灣心理諮商師及社工和2機構合作，將在未來2個月內為大波士頓社區大眾提供免費心理諮商支持。

台灣世衛外交協會( Taiwan Association for Global Health Diplomacy )，新英格蘭台灣商會( Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of New England)和 一群住在美國麻州的台灣心理諮商師及社工合作，已組成心理支持小組，將在未來2各月間，提供免費的電話心理諮商、諮詢服務，希望在防疫期間，幫助社區大眾紓解心情，並分享資訊，相互支持。

這項服務，目前暫定為期兩個月，未來將依實際狀況做調整。

這一透過電話進行的免費線上心理諮商，每次30分鐘。有意尋求諮商者，需先填寫預約表單(​Free Counseling Support Registration Form​)，並簽署“​電話心理支持服務約定及免責同意書”，提供服務的心理諮商師及社工們收到預約後，會發送出一組電話號碼，請尋求諮商者在預約的時間撥打，就會有諮商師與接聽。

目前這服務以華人民眾為主要對象，將來會視需求向非華人開放。

聯絡可洽NETMH2020@gmail.com。 該心理支持小組也歡迎專業心理諮商師加入提供免費諮商服務的行列。有意者可填表聯繫https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHagWDjIXjrALSUT3xJhAHJVfEvUo0bm5ZnMIjmHNZvdkaWA/viewform。

社安局提醒民眾上網申報 COVID-19補助 每名17歲以下子女另給500

              (Boston Orange) 領取社會安全生活補助金(SS)，但2018年和2019年都沒報稅的人，也可以上網申請受COVID-19影響的救濟福利金。家有17歲以下子女者，每名可另獲得500元補助。

               社會安全局(SS)局長Andrew Saul於4月10日發佈消息，提醒民眾，說明財政部推出了新的網路工具，容許通常不報稅，但有資格領取COVID-19經濟影響福利者，更快速的登記。該局也即將開始自動發放經濟影響福利款。

             華人前進會也在(CPA)週末發文，提醒社區，無論是領取社會安全生活補助金(SSI)，或社會安全殘障保險/退休、倖存者、殘障保險(SSDI/RSDI/SSA)等的人可上網登記www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments。

             Andrew Saul鼓勵前述符合資格者，儘快上網提出申請，以確保他們在自動收到每人1200元的經濟影響福利時，也收到17歲以下子女或受扶養者的每人500元補助。如果沒有上網填報資訊，就得等了。

             這新的上網登記作法，也適用於領取社會安全生活補助金者，尤其是那些家有符合資格的17歲以下子女者。網址為www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments。

            2020年1月1日以後才開始領取社會安全生活補助福利，但2018年或2019年沒有報稅的人，也需要上國稅局的”非申報者(Non-Filers)網頁，填報資料。

             領取社會安全退休、倖存者，殘障保險福利(RSDI)，但沒有符合資格的17歲以下子女的人，只要是收到了2019年SSA-1099，不需要做任何事，就會從國稅局那兒收到1200元的經濟影響補助，

             領取社會安全生活補助金(SSI)，但沒有符合資格的17歲以下子女的人，社會安全局將和財政部密切合作，以確保這些人也可自動收到經濟影響補助。

            Andrew Saul指出，經濟影響補助不會算做社會安全生活補助金收受者的收入，這筆款項會從他們的12個月收入中扣除。

有關經濟影響補助的資格要求和其他信息，可查詢以下網址：www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center。查詢國稅局的最新資訊，也可上網www.irs.gov/coronavirus。

波士頓市長成立COVID-19健康不平等小組 24成員有李素影、陳玉珍

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES COVID-19 HEALTH INEQUITIES TASK FORCE

BOSTON - Thursday, April 9, 2020 - As confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a new COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force to provide guidance to the City of Boston on addressing current inequities in data analysis, testing sites and health care services for Blacks, Latinos, Asians and immigrants. 

"We know that there are significant inequities that put our communities of color and immigrant population at higher risk for contracting coronavirus, developing severe illness, and impeding them from accessing care," Mayor Walsh said. "Data is critical to knowing how deep these inequities run and to help the public better understand the virus and its risks. By forming the COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force, we can focus specifically on increasing access to this important data and tackling the inequities that we know exist in our communities. I look forward to working with the members of the Task Force and the community while we collectively address this important issue and strive to achieve health equity among all our communities."

The Task Force will review existing racial and ethnic data among Boston residents, as well as review data collection processes, data analysis and best practices related to the COVID-19 response for the Black, Latino, Asian, and immigrant populations. This guidance will support a strategy for equity and accessibility to services for populations that are historically underserved or underrepresented, including recommendations for additional resources and considerations, that can be implemented by the City of Boston and community and healthcare stakeholders that are serving as partners in this response. 

Members that have been named on the COVID-19 Health Inequities Task Force include:

Dr. Thea James, Boston Medical Center

Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, IBA

Manny Lopes, East Boston Health Center

Guale Valdez, Mattapan Community Health Center

Carol Rose, ACLU

Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, Sociedad Latina

Frederica Williams, Whittier Street Health Center

Michael Curry, Mass League of Community Health Centers

Dr. Joseph Betancourt, MGH

Karen Chen, CPA

Tanisha Sullivan, NAACP

Michele Courton Brown, Quality Interactions

Rev. Ray Hammond, Bethel AME Church

Rev. Gloria White Hammond, Bethel AME Church

Paul Watanabe, UMass Boston

Dr. Lorna Rivera, UMass Boston

Suzanne Lee, former principal, Josiah Quincy School

Eva Millona, MIRA Coalition

Marie St. Fleur, St. Fleur Communications, former State Representative

Rev. Sam Acevedo, COPHANI

Petrina Cherry,  Boston Medical Center 

Linda Dorcena Forry, Suffolk Construction

Dr. Jean Alves, Bowdoin Street Health Center 

Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement

Although complete data on race and ethnicity among COVID-19 positive cases in Boston residents has not been reported to the City of Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is actively working to collect available data for public release. The below table is current as of April 8, 2020 and is subject to change. Due to the collection and review process that is required to produce this data, updated data specific to race and ethnicity will be released from the City of Boston every three days. 

Race/Ethnicity	Known Cases	% of Known Cases
Asian or Pacific Islander	75	4.8%
Black or African-American	631	40.3%
Hispanic or Latino	223	14.2%
Other	193	12.3%
White	445	28.4%
Total Race/Ethnicity Known Cases in Boston residents	1,567	100% of known race/ethnicity
Total Cases in Boston residents	2,513*	62.4% of total cases in Boston residents have race/ethnicity data. 37.6% (946) of total cases are classified as "missing" for race/ethnicity data.

*This case number reflects data from April 8, 2020 and has since changed.

NOTE: Information on race and ethnicity data is collected and reported by multiple entities and may or may not reflect self-reporting by the individual case. A classification of "missing" indicates that no reporter knew the race and ethnicity of the individual, the individual refused to provide the information, or that the originating reporting system does not capture the information. "Other" indicates multiple races or another race that is not listed above.

The City of Boston is also actively working with hospital partners to receive any data that may be available to expand research and analysis on inequities in the COVID-19 response. According to Boston Medical Center (BMC), New England's largest safety net hospital that serves patients are from under-served populations and patients do not speak English as a primary language, data shows that COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting communities of color. Of patients where race is reported, 80% of COVID-19 positive patients are either black or Hispanic/Latino, compared to 58% historically. Additionally, 61% of COVID-19 positive patients are from Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park and Mattapan, compared to 44% historically. Many of BMC's COVID-19 positive patients have presented with higher rates of underlying conditions compared to historical data, including 34% with diabetes, 49% with hypertension and 52% with a Body Mass Index above 30. 

At Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), 40% of COVID-19 positive patients speak Spanish as their native language, a number that is significantly higher than the usual patient census at MGH. The City of Boston, working through the Task Force, will continue to actively collect data from hospital and other partners. 

Race and ethnicity data for COVID-19 deaths is not complete for residents of Boston at this time. Currently, the data includes small numbers for several population groups, which could lead to identification of individuals in violation of state and federal privacy laws.

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Spanish Language Unemployment Application

Baker-Polito Administration Launches Spanish Language Unemployment Application

Mobile friendly portal will help Spanish speaking claimants access benefits

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today launched a Spanish language online, mobile-friendly, unemployment benefits application for those who need to apply.

 

The new, secure application for Spanish speakers is available through mass.gov/desempleo, the Spanish language website for unemployment in Massachusetts.

 

The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will make language applications available in Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Vietnamese and additional languages in the coming days.

 

The new Spanish language UI form is the latest effort from the Commonwealth to deliver crucial COVID-19 information to non-English speakers, including:

 

• Yesterday, the Administration announced that its COVID-19 text message alert system is available in Spanish

 

• All of Mass.Gov (including Mass.Gov/COVID19) is available in 13 different languages

 

• The Commonwealth’s non-emergency help line for COVID-19, 2-1-1 is available in over 150 languages

 

• Several agencies, including the Department of Public Health, offer additional fact sheets available in multiple languages

 

The Department of Unemployment Assistance is focused on supporting workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to process claims as quickly as possible. The new Spanish mobile-friendly application is among several efforts to reach and assist all individuals who are eligible for unemployment benefits and provide the financial assistance they need. Other efforts include:

• Rapidly updating the DUA website with the latest information that claimants and employers need to know, what the latest federal legislation means for them, and a step-by-step guide to filing a claim available in multiple languages.

 

• The unemployment contact form to reach a DUA agent is also available in multiple languages.

 

• Hosting daily town halls in both English and Spanish, which have been attended by over 100,000 constituents. Individuals can sign up to attend a virtual town hall at mass.gov/unemployment/townhall or at mass.gov/desempleo.

 

• Deploying over 600 new remote employees to keep pace with the increased volume of unemployment insurance claims, and adding language capacities in the call center to better serve residents across the state.  

 

• Legislation proposed and signed by Governor Baker waiving the one-week waiting period to collect an unemployment claim payment.

 

The Baker-Polito Administration will continue to update the public on developments related to COVID-19. Residents can visit www.mass.gov/covid19 for the latest information, call 2-1-1 with questions, and text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to subscribe to text-alert updates (COVIDMAESP for Spanish language alerts). 

Baker-Polito Administration Issues Further Public Health Guidance to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19, Expands First Responder Testing Sites to Include Grocery Store Workers and Authorizes Increased National Guard Activation

Baker-Polito Administration Issues Further Public Health Guidance to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19, Expands First Responder Testing Sites to Include Grocery Store Workers and Authorizes Increased National Guard Activation

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration issued further public health guidance, expanded resources for critical workers and increased Massachusetts National Guard activation to support its ongoing response to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

A new Department of Public Health advisory, consistent with CDC guidance, recommends that all residents wear a mask or face covering in public when social distancing is not possible. In addition, the Executive Branch issued similar guidance to state employees recommending when masks or face coverings should be utilized while working.

The administration has also expanded access to the free priority COVID-19 testing sites for first responders located at Gillette Stadium and the Big E fairgrounds to include grocery store workers.

Additionally, Governor Charlie Baker authorized the activation of an additional 3,000 more military personnel of the Massachusetts National Guard.

Face Coverings and Cloth Masks Advisory:  The Baker-Polito Administration today issued guidance to residents and Executive Branch employees recommending the use of a face covering or cloth mask when in situations where maintaining proper social distancing measures are not possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as in a grocery store.

A face covering may include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including a mask, scarf or bandana. Health care masks, such as N95 masks, should not be used and should be preserved for health care workers and first responders. Cloth masks should not be worn by young children under the age of two, persons with difficulty breathing, or those who are unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Instructions on how to make a cloth mask are available from the CDC here.

Read the guidance here.

Grocery Store Worker Priority Testing: The Baker-Polito Administration and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security today expanded access to the free, priority COVID-19 testing sites for first responders to now include grocery store and supermarket workers. Beginning Saturday, April 11, the men and women who provide critical access to food and other necessities may schedule an appointment to receive COVID-19 testing at the sites located at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro and the Big E fairgrounds in West Springfield.

All appointments must be made in advance by the worker’s supervisor or manager, and personnel do not need to be symptomatic to be eligible.

Massachusetts National Guard Activation: Today, the Baker-Polito Administration authorized the activation of an additional 3,000 military personnel of the Massachusetts National Guard to support the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response. This order raises the total authorization to up to 5,000 members statewide, who may be tasked with supporting requests from state agencies for equipment, logistics, warehousing and related duties. Local cities, towns and state agencies should submit requests for support through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

The activation reflects Governor Baker’s statutory authority to activate the Massachusetts National Guard under state active duty to provide necessary assistance to state and municipal civilian authorities.

The Baker-Polito Administration will continue to update the public on developments related to COVID-19. Residents can visit www.mass.gov/covid19 for the latest information, call 2-1-1 with questions, and text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to subscribe to text-alert updates.