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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025 Page 19 Municipal Empowerment Act, that would allow cities and towns to increase local taxes on meals, lodging and vehicle registration; permanently authorize municipalities to permit hybrid public meetings; change state procurement laws; and create enforcement mechanisms to push utilities to more promptly remove double poles. The tax hike provisions include giving local cities and towns the option to Increase the maximum local option lodging tax on hotel, motel and other rentals from 6 percent to 7 percent in most communities, and 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent for Boston; increase the local meals tax ceiling from 0.75 percent to 1 percent; and adding a new local option surcharge of up to 5 percent on motor vehicle excise bills that can be dedicated to local stabilization funds. “Every Massachusetts resident deserves to live in a community with high-quality local services, from safe roadways to access to good jobs and schools,” said Gov. Healey. “Our administration knows that city and town offi cials know their communities the best, and that’s why we want to empower them with the tools to make the choices they need to provide the best local services that meet the unique needs of their communities.” “At a time when Massachusetts is already struggling with aff ordability and large-scale out-migration of people and wealth, the last thing we need is another round of tax hikes,” said Paul Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “These proposals will make it even more expensive to live, work and do business here, pushing more families and employers to states with lower taxes and fewer regulations.” $712,500 FOR WELLBEING OF FIRST RESPONDERS — The Healey Administration announced the awarding of $712,500 to support the wellbeing of fi rst responders. The grants are designed to ensure that services are available to members of law enforcement and other emergency responders in the aftermath of a traumatic incident in the line of duty. “When police officers encounter life threatening dangers as they work to protect communities, we have a duty to ensure they have access to services and supports as they cope with the trauma they’ve experienced,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “These grants help ensure that first responders across Massachusetts can access these critical — and often lifesaving — resources. “These grants are an investment in the wellbeing of law enforcement offi cers and other fi rst responders,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “The funding allows us to support critical incident stress management services that will ensure those who protect our communities have access to the vital services they’re entitled to.” DON’T MISS THIS EVENT — Join Massachusetts energy leaders in government, industry and advocacy at the MCLE in Boston on March 26 for an important discussion about the state’s energy policy and its goals for a net-zero future, hosted by the State House News Service. With the return of a new Trump administration and policies hindering wind power development, the state’s plan to expand its off shore wind portfolio faces uncertainty. While solar power off ers potential, its scalability is limited by grid capacity issues and requires substantial investment. Other promising technologies like fusion and low-carbon hydrogen have yet to be implemented in the commonwealth. Tickets/ more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/power-interruption-tickets-1219762716119? aff =oddtdtcreator $6 MILLION FOR PROVIDING PRISONERS WITH TECH SKILLS — Tech Goes Home (TGH) and Ameelio, two non-profi ts dedicated to closing the digital divide, announced the receipt of a $6 million grant with more than $4 million earmarked to bring digital skills courses to more than 3,600 adults and youth housed in county jails and Department of Youth Services facilities in the Bay State. Most prisons have limited and outdated technology, making it diffi cult for individuals to acclimate to the rapidly advancing digital world upon release. “We’re incredibly proud that this new partnership, made possible through critical funding provided by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, will make it possible for us to provide incarcerated young people and adults in the commonwealth with digital skills training and tools that will expand access to workforce, community engagement and education opportunities,” said Dan Noyes, CEO of TGH. “This grant is a big step forward for digital equity and justice in Massachusetts.” April Feng, CEO of Ameelio said, “This grant will enable us to extend our reach and provide critical digital literacy resources to Massachusetts incarcerated individuals, enabling them to develop skills that will allow them to reintegrate into society as responsible and contributing members. This is a signifi cant step towards our mission: Building a more rehabilitative and humane justice system. Ameelio is excited to join TGH to lead the charge.” BEACON | SEE Page 20 How Seniors Can Get Help Lowering Their Grocery Bills Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to fi nd out if my 72-year-old mother is eligible for food stamps or any other type of assistance program. When my stepfather died last year, mom’s income dropped in half and is having a hard time paying her grocery bills. What can you tell us? Searching Son Dear Searching, There are actually several diff erent food assistance programs that can help lower income seniors with their grocery costs, but what’s available to your mom will depend on her income level. Here’s what you should know. SNAP Benefits The largest hunger safety program in the U.S. is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps), but your state may use a diff erent name. While there are millions of seniors who are eligible for SNAP, only around 40 percent (about 4.8 million seniors) actually take advantage of this benefi t. For older adults to get SNAP, their net income must be under the 100 percent federal poverty guidelines. So, households that have at least one person age 60 and older, or who are disabled, their net monthly income must be less than $1,255 per month for an individual or $1,704 for a family of two. These amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Households receiving TANF or SSI are also eligible. Net income is fi gured by taking gross income minus allowable deductions including a standard monthly deduction, medical expenses that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, rent or mortgage payments, utility costs, taxes and more. In addition to the net income requirement, some states also require that a senior’s assets be below $4,500, not counting the home, personal property, retirement savings and most vehicles. Most states, however, have much higher asset limits or they don’t count assets at all when determining eligibility. To apply, you or your mom will need to fi ll out a state application form, which can be done by mail, by phone, or online, depending on your mom’s state of residence. If eligible, her benefi ts will be provided on a plastic Electronic Benefi ts Transfer (EBT) card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The average SNAP benefi t for 60-and-older households is around $105 per month. To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP offi ce — visit fns.usda.gov/snap/statedirectory or call 800-221-5689. Other Programs In addition to SNAP, there are other food assistance programs that can help lower-income seniors like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The CSFP is a program that provides supplemental food packages to seniors with income limits at or below the 150 percent poverty line. And the SFMNP offers coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs in select locations throughout the U.S. To be eligible, your mother’s income must be below the 185 percent poverty level. To learn more about these programs and fi nd out if they are available in your mom’s area, visit fns.usda.gov/ programs. There are also many Feeding America network food banks that host “Senior Grocery Programs” that provide free groceries to older adults, no strings attached. Contact your local food bank (see feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank) to fi nd out if a program is available nearby. In addition to the food assistance programs, there are also various financial assistance programs that may help your mom pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, and learn how to apply for them, go to Benefi tsCheckUp.org. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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