THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020 Page 19 ASSISTANCE | FROM PAGE 16 gram is one part of the Administration’s work to support the behavioral health needs of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 14 the Administration announced a new awareness effort in conjunction with Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka to help people cope with social isolation. The campaign centers around “What If?” – a new video promoting the power of reaching out and connecting with those who might be struggling to cope, and includes practical tips and resources at mass.gov/CopingDuringCOVID, including: • Reaching out and engaging in virtual conversations • Activities to stay mentally and physically active • Joining a support group • Calling 2-1-1 for help Network of Care MassachuARREST | FROM PAGE 1 do’s retirement ceremony and in recognition of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. But rally organizers called those excuses unacceptable. “Either they are trying to tell us that Black lives only matter until ‘blue’ lives do or that American independence has nothing to do with Black liberation and Black lives,” said Somaya Laroussi, who also helped organize the rally. “Either way, this is a clear act of performative activism and we don’t need that right now -- not with the BLM movement, and not when we have hate crimes like these going on in our city.” Rashid Moukhabir, director of MACIR, said what happened on Lantern Road is all too familiar to Revere residents of color. “This should not be called an [isolated] incident because there is a trend of hate crimes in Revere,” said Moukhabir. “This became a problem, and this is the time to implement systematic changes to prevent it from happening again.” • Greater transparency regarding hate crimes, and training for police on handling such crimes • The reallocation of $1 million of the police budget to community building, additional resources for people of color and the addition of courses on social justice, African-American history, environmental activism, progressive politics and civic engagement to the Revere Public Schools’ curriculum. setts is another resource available to Massachusetts residents during this time. It provides a comprehensive, searchable online directory to help Massachusetts residents fi nd information on behavioral health services and treatment in their communities. Network of Care Massachusetts includes a directory of more than 5,000 programs and organizations across the Commonwealth, searchable by keyword and zip code. For each listing, users can fi nd a program description and contact information, as well as information on populations served, relevant eligibility and fee information and more. Learn more at www.massachusetts.networkofcare.org. Residents can visit www. mass.gov/covid19 for the latest information, call 2-1-1 with questions and text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to subscribe to textalert updates. • Biannual training on racism and implicit bias for Revere Police Offi cers, City of Revere employees and elected offi cials • Enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy for racism and the creation of a process for complaints against City of Revere employees who engage in racist behavior against Revere residents • Open communication between city departments and community-based organizations and advocacy groups. • Immediate removal of public offi cials who are openly racist, xenophobic and bigoted toward specifi c groups of people • Condemnation and disengagement from Revere residents, businesses and organizations that express hateful sentiments • The creation of an independent committee to address crisis situations • Setting the inclusion of more people of color in city government as a priority • Creating outreach programs to ensure that voting is accessible to the city’s communities of color and non-English speaking residents • Increasing eff orts to recruit and retain educators of color in Revere Public Schools • Creation of a process to hold Revere Public Schools educators and staff accountable for racist behavior Organizers of the rally and their supporters said they look forward to working with city leaders to make the changes they have demanded a reality. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net Life insurance company to pay $145K for failing to issue cancellation notices H artford Life and Accident Insurance Company will pay $145,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to properly issue cancellation notices to over 100 Massachusetts residents. In an Assurance of Discontinuance fi led in Suff olk Superior Court, Attorney General Maura Healey’s offi ce alleged that Hartford Life violated Massachusetts consumer protection law when it failed to properly issue cancellation notices to residents insured under a group policy. “People depend on life insurance for critical support in often incredibly diffi cult circumstances,” said Healey. “It’s important that people have clear, accurate information about the status of their policies. We are pleased that this settlement will provide restitution to consumers harmed by this company’s practices.” As part of the resolution of this matter, Hartford Life will reissue cancellation notices that will provide a new termination of coverage date. Additionally, the company will give consumers the right to convert their coverage under the group policy to an individual policy without proof of insurability. The company will also give policy benefi ciaries the right to fi le a claim that may arise up to 60 days from the date of the notices. Hartford Life will pay $120,000 to consumers in connection with claims identifi ed during the investigation, and it will also pay $25,000 to the Commonwealth. Consumers with questions about this settlement should contact Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division at 1-888-830-6277. ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS - 1st AD Wonderful 10 rm., 3-4 bdrm., 3 bath Split Entry boasting bright and sunny living rm. w/gas (propane) w/seating and additional storage, formal dining rm. w/bow View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM EXTENSION T he United States Senate unanimously passed a fi veweek extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Tuesday night, June 30, 2020. The program was scheduled to close as of midnight on June 30th. The House of Representatives and the President still need to sign off on the extension. They are expected to act swiftly as well. This extension is intended to provide small businesses with additional time to apply for a forgivable loan under the PPP. There is still $129 billion left in PPP funding. The United States Small Business Administration (SBA), which oversees the program on behalf of the Treasury Department, ceased accepting applications as of midnight on Tuesday, June 30th. The plan approved by the United States Senate extends the deadline for applying until August 8, 2020. Senator Marco Rubio did state that the vast majority of small businesses that wanted to take advantage of the PPP funds, have already done so. He is the chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee. He did state that he would like to target certain businesses that he believes need a second round of PPP aid. As of June 30th, the SBA had approved approximately $4.9 million loans amounting to more than $520 billion. Congress designed the PPP loans in order to support businesses and other organizations facing economic hardships created by the coronavirus pandemic and assist them in continuing to pay employee salaries. PPP loan recipients can have their loans forgiven in full if the monies were used for eligible expenses and if other criteria are met. The amount of loan forgiveness may be reduced based upon the percentage of eligible costs attributed to non-payroll costs, any decrease in employee headcount, and decreases in salaries or wages per employee. Revised forms and instructions are available on the SBA website. The new EZ form can be used by many businesses in order to apply for forgiveness. It is signifi - cantly easier to complete than the fi rst application the SBA had come out with. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation.
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