Ryan, Podein, Postema & Westgate P.C.

BENEFITS ALERT: Second round of $900 unemployment checks from Trump order being sent to Michigan workers Read More Here: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/09/second-round-of-900-unemployment-checks-from-trump-order-being-sent-to-michigan-workers.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking_newsletter&utm_term=Newsletter_breaking_news MLIVE.COM Second round of $900 unemployment checks from Trump order being sent to Michigan workers

$500 available for Michigan hospitality employees hurt by coronavirus shutdown Read More Here: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/09/500-available-for-michigan-hospitality-employees-hurt-by-coronavirus-shutdown.html MLIVE.COM $500 available for Michigan hospitality employees hurt by coronavirus shutdown

Your Most Pressing Questions About Masks, Answered by CR's Chief Scientist "Do you need a filter? What about a valve? Can you just use a bandanna? Here’s what you really need to know." https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/answers-to-most-pressing-questions-about-masks-coronavirus-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR1aJ-1ZifGLiOLSTtCyOUEPS95sqT2salvdXK2GKfWxVkwbwEdiGk9Ibr0&utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&utm_campaign=Today%27s_Daily_Clips_%7c_September_16_2020&utm_medium=email CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG Your Most Pressing Questions About Masks, Answered by CR's Chief Scientist

ALERT: 625,000 essential workers in Michigan eligible for free college: What to know... https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2020/09/10/whitmer-free-college-essential-workers-michigan/5767799002/ FREEP.COM 625,000 essential workers in Michigan eligible for free college: What to know

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Michigan UIA releases guidance on when to expect bonus $300 unemployment benefit No action required by claimants https://www.clickondetroit.com/consumer/help-me-hank/2020/09/10/michigan-uia-releases-guidance-on-when-to-expect-bonus-300-unemployment-benefit/ CLICKONDETROIT.COM Michigan UIA releases guidance on when to expect bonus $300 unemployment benefit

UNEMPLOYMENT ALERT: Unemployed Michiganders to start receiving $900 payments in next 10 days An estimated 910,000 residents are eligible. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/09/unemployed-michiganders-to-start-receiving-900-payments-in-next-10-days.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter_breaking&utm_term=Newsletter_breaking_news MLIVE.COM Unemployed Michiganders to start receiving $900 payments in next 10 days

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 Attorney General Nessel Warns Consumers to Beware of Scam Package Delivery Texts LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today reissued an important consumer alert on text message scams to warn Michiganders to watch out for an uptick in these attempts to obtain personal information. Most recent complaints report that these texts appear from unfamiliar phone numbers pretending to be a package delivery notice from Amazon, FedEx or other services. “What we know for certain is that bad actors will stop at nothing to obtain our personal information, and it is important that we all stay on alert,” said Nessel. “If you are expecting a package and you receive a text message from an unrecognizable number, independently verify the origin first. Contact the company you purchased from or the individual who sent you the package. Clicking on the links in these phony texts can provide a gateway for scammers to download malware onto your phone, or to trick you into entering passwords, credit card details, or other personal information that can be used to commit fraud.” The recent text messages use similar language and look like this: “FedEx: shipment 71206 update: on the way. Click here: c7fsvinfo/oToaiibv6A. (using different numbers and links in the message)” Others address the recipient by name, claiming to be an “urgent notice about your USPS package” that’s been waiting for them from a stated date, along with a link – for example: “Jessica, urgent notice about your USPS package 3K9355 from 04/10/2020. Proceed to m4svk.info/UENAnGm4zh” Earlier versions of this scam contained a link promising information about a missing package belonging to the consumer, or to “claim delivery” about a pending package delivery. Regardless of the message, Attorney General Nessel insists that if you get a text message from an unfamiliar phone number about a package delivery, immediately delete the message, block the number, and do not respond or click on any links. If you think the message may be legitimate, call the delivery company directly using a phone number you know you can verify. The Attorney General’s office has received roughly 30 complaints of unwanted text messages since January, with several of those related to the package shipping scam. The Federal Trade Commission suggests three ways to report unwanted text messages: Report it on the messaging app. Look for the option to report junk or spam. If you are an AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon or Sprint subscriber, copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM), free of charge. Report it online to the Federal Trade Commission. For more information, read this consumer alert. Additional resources can be found on the AG’s consumer protection webpage. M4SVK.INFO m4svk.info

Coronavirus lawsuit standards for businesses, health care workers approved in Michigan Senate https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/coronavirus-lawsuit-standards-for-businesses-health-care-workers-approved-in-michigan-senate/ar-BB1a1uH9 MSN.COM Coronavirus lawsuit standards for businesses, health care workers approved in Michigan Senate

BENEFITS ALERT: Unemployed Michigan workers can get extra 20 weeks of benefits, state announces https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/10/unemployed-michigan-workers-can-get-extra-20-weeks-of-benefits-state-announces.html

New Updates to Our Warning About Social Security Phone Scams The Inspector General for Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is again warning the public about widespread Social Security-related telephone scams. These scams may use sophisticated tactics to deceive them into providing sensitive information or money. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has recently received reports of telephone scammers using real Social Security and OIG […] Read More Here: https://blog.ssa.gov/new-updates-to-our-warning-about-social-security-phone-scams/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery BLOG.SSA.GOV New Updates to Our Warning About Social Security Phone Scams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 Attorney General Nessel Cautions Seniors and Senior Living Facilities About Stimulus Payments LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding residents and operators of nursing homes and other care facilities that Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) – often referred to as stimulus payments – belong to the person named on the check, not to the organization providing care. The second round of stimulus payments has been approved and the payments are being sent out over the next few months. These payments are intended for the person named on the check, not for the assisted living community or nursing facility in which they reside. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that during the first round of stimulus payments, some nursing homes and assisted living communities were taking those payments from their residents, particularly those on Medicaid. The residents were reportedly coerced into signing over their checks to the facility in which they were housed. During this second round of stimulus payments, Attorney General Nessel is alerting seniors not to sign over their stimulus payment to anyone under any circumstance – the payment is intended for the individual named on the check. The care facility cannot take or require anyone to sign over their EIP payment. “If someone qualifies for a stimulus payment, it is theirs to keep and is not owed to the care facility where they live. If someone suspects they are being coerced into signing over their payment, I urge you to report it to my office,” Nessel said. “We are committed to protecting Michigan’s vulnerable population and will thoroughly review any complaints we receive for wrongdoing and pursue additional legal action if warranted.” The Attorney General’s office has not received any reports of this happening in Michigan, but anyone with evidence of a facility demanding a senior resident’s EIP payment is encouraged to report it to the Attorney General’s office as follows: Unlicensed care facilities - Financial Crimes Division at 517-335-7560 Licensed care facilities - Heath Care Fraud Division at 800-242-2873

With 2020 coming to a close, we wanted to reach out to all of our friends and clients and send our best wishes to you and yours! We hope that 2021 holds success and good fortune in any endeavour you pursue. Ryan, Podein, Postema and Westgate, P.C.

Beware of Scams During this Holiday Season We continue to receive reports about scam phone calls and emails from people claiming to be Social Security employees. Don’t fall for it. Those calls and emails are from scammers trying to trick you into providing personal information or money, and often threaten their victims with arrest. This holiday season, we ask that you remain […] https://blog.ssa.gov/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery BLOG.SSA.GOV Social Security Matters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 22, 2020 Governor Whitmer, MDHHS announce partnership with Michigan restaurants to provide hot meals to food assistance recipients Eligible restaurants can now enroll in program LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching a new program that will give eligible food assistance recipients the opportunity to use their benefits to purchase restaurant meals. Older adults over 60, people with a disability including those who receive Social Security Income (SSI) or other disability program benefits, and people experiencing homelessness are among those who are eligible. “No Michigander should worry about how to put food on the table for themselves and their families, especially during a pandemic,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This partnership with our restaurants will ensure people across the state have the support they need this winter. I am grateful for the restaurants that participate in this program and will continue to work around the clock to ensure support for every family. Remember, Michiganders: mask up, practice social distancing, and wash your hands frequently. We will get through this together.” The goal of the Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) is to serve residents who face difficulty preparing their own food due to disability, age, or lack of kitchen access. MDHHS is opening the program for restaurants to enroll with the aim of providing diverse and affordable options for eligible participants across the state. Restaurants can enroll beginning Dec. 22. MDHHS will announce at a later date when eligible food assistant recipients can start redeeming their benefits at participating restaurants. Across Michigan, more than 180,000 seniors, 134,000 residents with disabilities and 1,200 residents experiencing homelessness will soon be able to use their Bridge Card to buy discounted meals at participating restaurants. “MDHHS is always working to make it easier for residents to put food on the table for themselves and their families,” said Director Robert Gordon. “The Restaurant Meal Program provides an option for Michiganders who – for no fault of their own – find it difficult to prepare hot meals.” Restaurants must first enroll in the program and be approved before eligible participants can make purchases. MDHHS will publish a list of participating restaurants on its website and encourages restaurants to advertise this benefit to their patrons directly. Restaurants interested in partnering with MDHHS in this program are asked to visit the MDHHS website, where they can learn more about program requirements and how to enroll. Participating restaurants must offer meals at concessional prices. Eligible participants can buy meals at participating restaurants with their Bridge Card in a manner similar to purchasing groceries. As restaurants enroll in the program and are approved to provide this service, more information about food assistance recipient eligibility will be forthcoming. If a food assistance recipient feels they meet the criteria of being disabled or homeless, MDHHS encourages them to contact their local MDHHS office. RMP expands the list of options available to eligible participants who need hot prepared meals. MDHHS offers several options for providers to service prepared meals to food assistance recipients such as Meals on Wheels, meals at senior citizen centers/residential settings, drug/alcohol treatment programs, shelters for battered women and children, communal dining facilities (for the elderly and disabled only), group living arrangements, and homeless meal providers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 17, 2020 CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov Additional food assistance for 350,000 Michigan families in response to COVID-19 extended through December LANSING, Mich. – Approximately 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits during December as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced today. Michigan previously approved the additional food assistance beginning in March – and now that is being extended for the month of December with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. “No Michigander should have to worry about how they’ll put food on the table for themselves and their families, especially during a pandemic,” Gov. Whitmer said. “That’s why my administration is working hard to provide some support to families who need it most. I will continue working with MDHHS to help every Michigander get through this crisis.” Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card by Dec. 30, with payments beginning for some households on Dec. 21. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month. More than 1.2 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in December to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. This change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. The 350,000 households that receive increased benefits represent more than 50 percent of the more than 680,000 Michigan households that received food assistance in September. The remaining households already receive the maximum benefit. “During the holiday season in particular we want to help families who struggle to put food on the table as a result of the pandemic,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “This additional food assistance is critically important to make sure Michigan residents have nutritious food to eat.” Below is the maximum allowable benefit for SNAP customers based on their respective household size: The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act. Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker. Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1. # # # December Additional Food Assistance Press Release.pdf DHHS Footer Become a foster parent through Michigan Department of Health & Human Services foster care program.