Advocacy E-news May 22, 2020
May 22, 2020
NJ HUMAN SERVICES RECEIVES $2.8M FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND SERVICES RELATED TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK
The New Jersey Department of Human Services has received more than $2.8 million in federal funding to support behavioral health services during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) funding will be used to expand access to counseling and other supports during the pandemic. The funding was awarded to the Department’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).
N.J. MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINES SEE SHARP RISE IN CALLS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
As the social-distancing mandates driven by the coronavirus entered the second month and unemployment claims soared, calls to two New Jersey mental health hotlines climbed by 37% in April. On Saturday, the Murphy administration announced it will use $2 million in federal grants to expand tele-health counseling services.
NEW JERSEY TO LAUNCH ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS
New Jerseyans enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use their benefits to order groceries online starting next week. Online shopping will be available through Amazon and participating Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers.
CAN A NURSING HOME TAKE YOUR STIMULUS CHECK? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Be on the lookout for nursing homes and assisted living facilities that are trying to snatch coronavirus stimulus checks from residents who are on Medicaid. They can’t legally take your stimulus payment, according to a new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alert.
HUD ALLOCATES $2.2 MILLION TO NJ PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES FOR 811 HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM
HUD allocated $2 million in CARES Act funding to public housing authorities (PHAs) in New Jersey to support additional Housing Choice Vouchers. Awarded through HUD’s Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher program, these grants will enable PHAs to provide Housing Choice Vouchers to non-elderly individuals with disabilities. The program also encourages PHAs to establish partnerships with health and human service agencies.
N.J. LEGISLATORS PASS $100 MILLION COVID-19 RENT RELIEF BILL
Help could soon be on the way for tenants struggling to pay their landlords amid coronavirus job losses, as a fully approved relief bill will now head to Governor Murphy’s desk for possible signature. The program would first be paid for with unspent grant money from Hurricane Sandy relief programs. Federal dollars from the coronavirus relief bill would be utilized beyond that, with the remaining amount coming from the state’s general fund.
Governor Phil Murphy has not yet commented on the legislation but if he signs it into law, it would take effect immediately.
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