1. The Salvation Army 2. Canada 3. Irving Berlin 4. The Colorado 5. They are names of live albums (by Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell and Led Zeppelin, respectively). 6. Women and children 7. Hemoglobin 8. “2001: A Space Odyssey” 9. O. Henry 10. They are types of wind. 11. Nylon 12. They are varieties of apple. 13. Utah 14. Group of Seven (USA, UK, France, West Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan) 15. “Puff , the Magic Dragon” 16. No; they have arms. 17. In cliff sides on the North Atlantic and North Pacifi c oceans 18. Salt water 19. They are types of sea turtles. 20. Charles Dickens THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022 Page 19 TAX CUTS (S 4) Senate 10-30, rejected a tax reduction amendment that would provide a 3-month suspension of the 24-cent -per-gallon gas tax; reduce from 12 percent to 5 percent the short-term capital gains tax rate; double the dependent care tax credit from $240 to $480 for one qualifying individual and to $960 for two or more individuals; increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000; increase the threshold for “no tax status” to $12,400 for single fi lers and $24,800 for joint filers; and double the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker Credit. “The Senate Republican Caucus members proposed more than 30 tax cut and credit proposals during this budget because we believe that we have an obligation to take reasonable actions to help people face the challenges they are dealing with from high housing costs, gas prices at record levels and infl ation that continues to rise at alarming rates,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “ We know that with state revenues wildly exceeding what we need to operate, and an fi scal year 2023 budget spending increase of more than $2 billion we have the capacity to help families, seniors, students, commuters and those who depend on childcare.” “The tax break package presented by my colleagues and I would have eased the burden on working families and provided urgently needed fi nancial relief from the economic challenges we continue to face,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “With record prices for gas, housing, childcare and basic necessities, we need to act immediately to enact tax reforms to ease the blow on our residents and protect those who simply cannot afford the looming changes our economy will experience.” “The Joint Committee on Revenue is reviewing tax reduction bills and the full Senate has committed to consideration of a comprehensive and thoughtful revenue proposal, including tax reductions,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) who voted against the amendment. “The Senate President has already announced that the Senate is taking up a tax relief package shortly,” said amendment opponent Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield). “That is what we prefer to focus on. We want to be absolutely certain that tax cuts go to those who need it most, not just giveaways to the most wealthy.” (A “Yes” vote is for the tax cuts. A “No” vote is against the tax cuts). Sen. Brendan Crighton No BHRC | SEE PAGE 20 Savvy Seniory Senior BY JIM MILLER How to Start a Walking Program and Stay Motivated Dear Savvy Senior, My doctor recently suggested I start a walking program to help get my weight and blood pressure under control, but I’ve never exercised much and am 66. Can you recommend some tips? Hate to Exercise Dear Sad, I’m very sorry about the loss of your mother. The government program you are asking about is the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or FEMA). This program is part of the American Rescue Plan, a stimulus package passed in 2021 in an effort to help the country fi nancially manage amid the pandemic. This program, which has no end date, off ers up to $9,000 to cover the cost of a funeral for someone who died of COVID-19 as far back as January 2020. Unfortunately, less than half the people believed eligible for funeral assistance have actually applied for it. Here’s what you should know about the program’s requirements and how to apply. Where to Start? To apply for COVID-19 funeral assistance, you must do it over the phone by calling FEMA at 844-6846333, anytime Monday through Friyou fi nd the villain HAL 9000? 9. On June 5, 1910, writer William Sydney Porter died, whose pen name was what? 1. June 3 is National Donut Day; in 1938, National Donut Day was started by TSA, which stands for what? 2. Which country has the most donut shops per capita: Canada, Holland or USA? 3. Who wrote the words and music of “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen,” in which Eileen kept serving donuts until they were gone? 4. What is the main river in the Grand Canyon? 5. How are “At Folsom Prison,” “Miles of Aisles” and “How the West Was Won” similar? 6. On June 4, 1912, the first U.S. state minimum wage law was passed in Massachusetts; the law applied to people in what two demographic categories? 7. What makes blood red? 8. In what movie would 10. How are Chinook, sirocco and mistral similar? 11. On June 6, 1942, Adeline Gray became the first parachutist to jump with a parachute made of what synthetic fabric? 12. How are Braeburn, Fuji and Empire similar? 13. On June 7, 1980, Natural Bridges National Monument Solar Power System – then the world’s largest solar plant – was dedicated day, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. The application process takes about 20 minutes. After you apply, FEMA will provide you an application number, which you may use to create an online account at DisasterAssistance.gov if you choose. You will then need to submit supporting documents, including a death certifi cate for your mother, but it must state that her death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID19-like symptoms. Her death must also have occurred in the U.S. on or after Jan. 20, 2020. If you don’t have this, you won’t be eligible. You’ll also need to submit proof of funeral expenses, such as itemized receipts, invoices or funeral home contracts. These supporting documents can be submitted either online (through your DisasterAssistance.gov account), by mail (P.O. Box 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782) or via fax (855-261-3452). After the paperwork is received, it takes FEMA about 45 days to make an eligibility decision. Families who had multiple deaths due to the coronavirus can also apply. One family can receive up to $35,000 across multiple funerals. in what U.S. state? 14. What is the G7? 15. In what song would you fi nd Honah Lee? 16. June 8 is World Oceans Day; do octopi have tentacles? 17. Where would you fi nd puffi n nests? 18. What kind of water do fl amingos drink? 19. How are loggerhead, leatherback and hawksbill similar? 20. On June 9, 1870, what British novelist died who wrote in “Our Mutual Friend,” “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts”? Reimbursements can be used to cover any portion of funeral expenses including burial plots, caskets, preparation of the body, cremation, urns, clergy, services and headstones as well as costs related to state or local ordinances and producing death certifi cates. But be aware that pre-paid funerals are not eligible for reimbursements. Any payment made specifically for a funeral prior to death is considered a duplication and is not eligible. If FEMA approves your application, the funds will either be deposited into your bank account or sent by mail via check, usually within a few days of approval. If, however, you receive a letter from FEMA saying you’re ineligible, or if the amount awarded is not enough, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of FEMA’s decision letter. For more information on the COVID Funeral Assistance program, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/coronavirus/ economic/funeral-assistance. 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. ANSWERS
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