THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024 Page 15 Current law requires that insurance companies make coverage available for owners but supporters of this bill say that while coverage is available, there are many documented cases of insurance companies not making owners aware that the coverage is available. They said this often results in homeowners being unaware they do not have insurance coverage until after they experience a liquid fuel tank leak. They noted that the bill will provide an additional layer of customers being informed of the availability of the insurance. Supporters said that some 100 homeowners experience an oil leak in Massachusetts every year. They noted that leaks can incur costly damage to the residence itself, but under Massachusetts law owners are responsible for environmental cleanup, which can rise to $100,000 or more, to dispose of contaminated soil and mitigate the spread in surrounding areas. Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on why he fi led the bill and how he feels about its initial approval. QUOTABLE QUOTES “It is an honor to be named the most sustainable state in the nation. State and local partnerships like the Green Communities program have propelled clean energy innovation across Massachusetts. We are grateful for the hard work being done by our cities and towns to address climate change and protect public health. Local action is vital to reducing Massachusetts’ carbon emissions.” ---Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll reacting to Forbes Magazine ranking Massachusetts as the most environmentally-friendly state in the nation. “Every day we offer shelter, services and support with funding that doesn’t come close to the need. Our state has been a national leader in the fi ght to end homelessness and we are here today because we intend to continue to lead. But we need the resources to do it.” --- Lifebridge North Shore Vice President of Advocacy and Community Relations Gary Barrett advocating for funding for homeless programs, as members of the statewide Coalition for Homeless Individuals lobbied legislators on Beacon Hill for increased funding for homeless programs. “We are wholeheartedly dedicated to empowering our servicemembers, veterans and their families with comprehensive support across Massachusetts. This funding strengthens the backbone of our veteran community by expanding crucial peer support networks and broadening our suicide prevention eff orts, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our veterans with precision and compassion.” --- Jon Santiago, Secretary of Veterans Aff airs, announcing $2 million in grants through the Veterans Community Initiative Grant program for 15 community organizations to support informal and formal peer support eff orts as well as fund innovative programming to address suicide prevention in the veteran and servicemember community in Massachusetts. “Every day, but especially as we honor Mental Health Awareness Month, we work to reduce stigma associated with mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts. Through initiatives like suicide prevention services funding and the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, it is our hope that anyone who struggles with their mental health know where to access services, and that it is OK to talk to someone and seek help.” ---Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh announcing $1.9 million in annual state funding over the next 11 years awarded to 19 community organizations to provide suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services across the state. “I’m excited for this opportunity to showcase Massachusetts’ climate and economic leadership on the global stage, and to make the case for why businesses should consider starting and growing in our state. Massachusetts deeply values our close relationship with Italy and the Vatican City State, and we see this trip as an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties and strategize on future opportunities for collaboration.” ---Gov. Maura Healey commenting on her trip to Italy with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “The governor and mayor are jet setting to Italy under the guise of climate change awareness to learn new strategies on how they can force the people of Massachusetts to cut our consumption. In the age of Zoom and remote meeting options, there’s no reason for the contradicting emissionsheavy fl ight across the Atlantic in the name of saving our planet. There is so much pageantry, fl aunting of their status, self-celebration and hypocrisy.” --- Paul Craney, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. 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 May 13-17 the House met for a total of 13 hours and nine minutes and the Senate met for a total of nine minutes. Mon. May 13 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 11:19 a.m. Tues. May 14 No House session No Senate session Wed. May 15 House 11:02 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. May 16 House 10:59 a.m. to 6:34 p.m. Senate 11:02 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. Fri. May 17 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. Financial and Legal Resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any programs that you can refer me to that financially help grandparents who are raising their grandkids? I’m raising two of my grandchildren and could use some help. Dear Tonya, Money is a common problem for the nearly 2.4 million U.S. grandparents who are raising their grandchildren today. To help with the day-to-day expenses, there are a wide variety of programs and tax benefi ts that can make a big diff erence in stretching your budget. Here’s where to look for help. Financial Assistance For starters, fi nd out whether your family qualifi es for your state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which may include cash assistance, food benefi ts, utility bill assistance and free or low-cost daycare. Or, if your household income is too high to qualify as a family, ask about the “child-only grant” for just the grandkids support alone. Also, check to see if you’re eligible for foster care payments as a relative caregiver, or if your state off ers any additional programs like guardianship subsidies, non-parent grants or kinship care. Adoption assistance payments are also available to adopted grandchildren with special needs. To inquire about these programs, contact your state’s TANF program and/or state Department of Human Services. See ACF.hhs.gov/ofa/map/ about/help-families for contact information. You also need to see if your grandkids are eligible for Social Security, including benefi ts for dependent children, survivor benefi ts or SSI — visit SSA. gov or call 800-772-1213. And fi nd out if they’re eligible for free/low-cost health or dental coverage through your state’s Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program — InsureKidsNow.gov or 877-5437669. You can also use Benefi ts.gov, the offi cial benefi ts website of the U.S. government that has a screening tool to help you identify the programs that you and your grandchildren may be eligible for and will direct you to the appropriate agency to apply. Tax Benefits In addition to the fi nancial assistance programs, there are also a range of tax benefi ts that you may qualify for too like the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC which is available to those with moderate to low incomes, and the Child Tax Credit which is worth $2,000 per dependent child under age 17. If you’re working, and are incurring childcare expenses in order to work, there’s a Child and Dependent Care Credit that can help. And, if you’ve legally adopted your grandkids, there’s an Adoption Tax Credit that provides a federal tax credit of up to $16,810 in 2024. You can also deduct medical and dental expenses if you and your dependent grandchilTapped Out Tonya dren’s healthcare cost exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income for the year. And there’s even education-related tax credits that can help your grandkids go to college, like the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. In addition to the tax credits and deductions, if you’re unmarried you may qualify for “head of household” status when you fi le your tax return, which has a higher standard deduction and a lower tax rate than you would fi ling as a single. Legal Help If you haven’t already done so, you should also talk to an attorney to discuss the pros and cons of obtaining legal guardianship, custody or adoption. Without some sort of legal custody, you may not be eligible for many of the previously listed fi nancial assistance programs, and there can be problems with basic things like enrolling your grandkids in school or giving a doctor permission to treat them. For help locating affordable or free legal assistance, visit FindLegalHelp.org, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800677-1116 for referrals. Also see GrandFamilies.org, a clearinghouse resource that off ers information on financial assistance, adoption, foster care and more. 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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