THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024 Page 15 “This bill was fi led at the request of Mr. Peter Barbella of Littleton who is interested in ways to decrease the real estate tax burden on seniors who typically are on a fi xed income,” said Arciero. “He feels this would help seniors, who in many cases have already paid taxes for many years to their local town government, to stay in their long-term residence instead of being forced out by rising real estate tax rates. This bill would essentially allow a municipality to change from a revenue stream based on real estate taxation by replacing it with both a personal and business income tax to support a local town’s budget.” INCREASE TAX ABATEMENT FOR BLIND RESIDENTS (H 4458) — Another bill heard by the Revenue Committee would increase from $457 to $1,800 the amount of the real estate tax exemption for blind residents. Supporters said this exemption has remained at $437 for more than 20 years and has not provided the intended benefi t to blind residents. “I sponsored this bill after being made aware of this issue by a constituent who had received this tax abatement for most of his life,” said sponsor Rep. Angelo Puppolo (DSpringfi eld). “It does not make sense for a benefi t such as this one to lose its value with the US dollar. The figure should be updated to refl ect the proportional assistance that was intended to be given to blind residents.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Utility accidents from damaged underground lines and pipes are both dangerous and costly. Calling 811 is the best way to ensure a line won’t be hit when starting a new home project this year.” --- James Van Nostrand, chair of the Department of Public Utilities, highlighting April as Dig Safe Awareness Month to remind excavators, contractors and residents to call Dig Safe’s 811 line before starting any outdoor digging projects. 811 is the line for Dig Safe, an organization that notifi es gas, electric, telephone and cable companies about any intended digging project to ensure underground lines and pipes are not tampered with. “I am honored to be here tonight to express my support for Dana-Farber’s proposed adult inpatient hospital that will expand access and equity, reduce costs and save lives. I’ve always had great respect for the work Dana-Farber does, and even more so now that I’m a patient. This proposed cancer hospital will ensure DanaFarber is equipped to provide every patient with world-class care in an environment that supports the best health outcomes. But most importantly, it will off er more of what every single cancer patient and their families is looking for, which is hope.” ---Rep. Frank Moran (D-Lawrence) testifying in support of a new hospital dedicated to cancer patients and a new collaboration between DanaFarber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “Although we are heading into warmer weather, the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can provide much needed assistance for customers who are struggling to keep up with their energy costs and helps to cover energy usage dating back to November 1, 2023.” --- Damaris Dominguez, Manager of Customer Advocacy at National Grid, urging people to sign up before April 30 for the fuel assistance program that can help them pay and manage their energy costs. “Over a million people each year use the MassLegalHelp website, often in moments of crisis. By providing information that folks can trust and presenting it in an understandable format, we hope to help make stressful situations less overwhelming and make the legal system more navigable.” ---Marlena Idrobo, MassLegalHelp Website Project Manager, announcing the offi cial relaunch of MassLegalHelp. org --one of five websites it manages. “Our hospitals and research institutions are key contributors to Massachusetts’ global leadership in health care and thriving sectors such as the life sciences. Every day, patients’ lives are being transformed thanks to the hard work and innovation taking place at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and across Mass General Brigham. The Mass Leads Act aims to accelerate these efforts, particularly in areas like women’s health that have been historically overlooked and inspire breakthroughs for a generation to come.” ---Gov. Maura Healey, announcing $2.8 million in new grants through the Women’s Health Project and highlighting Massachusetts’ leadership in life sciences and her proposed 10-year reauthorization of the Life Sciences Initiative in her Mass Leads Act HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of April 1519, the House met for a total of 49 minutes and the Senate met for a total of one hour and 31 minutes. Mon. April 15 No House session No Senate session Tues. April 16 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:34 a.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 12:21 p.m. Wed. April 17 No House session No Senate session Thurs. April 18 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Senate 11:13 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Fri. April 19 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. What to Do About Medicare and Social Security When You Move Dear Savvy Senior, Next month I am moving to a diff erent state so I can be near my daughter and grandkids. Do I need to notify Social Security and Medicare about the move? Relocating Grandma Dear Relocating, Yes, if you’re a Social Security and Medicare recipient you definitely need to let these Federal agencies know when and where you move so there are no hiccups in your benefi ts or coverage. Here’s what you should know. How to Update Your Info. If you’re receiving Social Security retirement, survivors or disability benefi ts, it’s required that you notify the Social Security Administration when you move to ensure your deposits continue and you avoid disruptions. You’ll need to provide them your new mailing address so they can deliver important documents to you like your annual SSA1099 tax form. And if you’re switching banks or credit unions, you’ll need to update your direct deposit information by providing your new financial institution’s routing number and account number. If you’re a Medicare benefi ciary, they too need your new mailing address so bills, correspondence, your Medicare Summary Notice and other statements can go to the right address. You can update both your Social Security and Medicare contact information online by simply using the “My Profi le” tab in your personal “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov/myaccount. If you don’t have an account, you can create one online for free in just a few minutes. Or, if you need some help or don’t have internet access, you can call Social Security at 800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security offi ce and they will make the changes for you. Medicare Private Plans You also need to know that if you’re enrolled in original Medicare, you can move anywhere within the United States without losing coverage. But if you have Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan from a private health insurance company, and you move out of the plan’s service area, you’ll have to switch plans or you’ll face losing coverage. Part D service areas typically are statewide or can extend to parts of neighboring states, while Medicare Advantage plans’ service areas vary by county. Moving out of a plan’s service area qualifi es you for a special enrollment period (SEP) of at least two months to get a new plan. You may also qualify if you move within your plan’s service area and it off ers options different from what you had. The enrollment timing depends on when you notify the plan. If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the month you move and continues for two full months after you move. If you tell your plan after you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus two more full months. To shop for new Part D and Medicare Advantage plans in your new area, use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. You can also switch Part D or Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment, which runs each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for coverage starting Jan. 1. Medigap Plans If you’re enrolled in original Medicare and have a Medigap supplemental policy you usually don’t have to switch plans if you move, but you do need to notify your provider. Some insurers let you keep the rate based on the state where you originally applied for Medigap. Others may change your premiums to coincide with their coverage in a diff erent zip code. 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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