Older Americans Act reauthorization bill introduced in Senate

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a bill on 1/26/12 to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA). The bill, S. 2037, is the first bill in either house of Congress proposing reauthorization this cycle. The Act is typically reauthorized for 5 years, then the reauthorization process begins, which sometimes takes several years.

The Older Americans Act is the organic legislation that creates the nation's aging network of services including home-delivered and congregate meals, county senior centers, in-home supportive services, long-term care ombudsman programs, abuse prevention programs, caregiver support, transportation, community service employment, Alzheimers support services, and legal services (West Virginia Senior Legal Aid is an Older Americans Act supported program). It was first passed in 1965 and has been reauthorized and amended numerous times to adjust to the changing needs of Americans age 60 and over.

Senator Sanders' bill proposes several changes to our current aging services system. Some of the changes include:

• how economic security is defined for seniors, including improving the accuracy of the calculation of inflation and the related cost-of-living increases in Social Security and Medicare out-of-pocket drug costs
• consolidating nutrition programs, imposing a new formula on how they may be administered, and increasing overall funding for nutrition (though this may result in reduced funding for some current nutrition services)
• allowing state units on aging to bypass area agencies on aging and contract directly for some services including preventive health and legal services
• centralizing control over more aspects of the long-term care ombudsman program away from the regional programs and to the state unit on aging
• creating a Livable Communities grant program and national support center for assessment and planning
• requiring legal assistance be delivered through an integrated legal assistance delivery system
• redefining "greatest economic need" under the act as 200% of the federal poverty line rather than the current 185%

As the reauthorization process begins in Congress we encourage seniors and their advocates to provide input to their Senators and Congress members about what is important in senior services.

AARP webcast on positing older workers in a competitive market 2/2/12

A notice from AARP Foundation: A Critical Conversation: Positioning Older Workers for Hourly Wage Jobs in Demand

Join us on Thursday, February 2, 2012
For a Webcast 8:30 a.m.- 12 noon EST
Registration is Required. (See Below)

Right now, four million older Americans are either unemployed or not able to find full time employment. Many are struggling to meet their everyday needs and having to choose between buying groceries or the medicine they need. A choice no one should have to make. We can and must make a difference now before it is too late.

Please join the AARP Foundation from 8:30 a.m.-12 noon EST on Thursday, February 2nd, for a webcast and conversation that explores how older workers can be better positioned for hourly wage jobs in high growth industries.

Speakers will present the latest research and discuss practical strategies that can improve the way we help older adults position themselves in the competitive job market. Questions and discussions are encouraged.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Emily Allen, AARP Foundation Income Impact Area
• Rebecca Perron, PhD, AARP Research and Strategic Analysis
• Hans Johnson, PhD, Public Policy Institute of California
• Deborah Briceland-Betts, AARP Foundation SCSEP
• Steve Wing, Corporate Voices for Working Families
• Karen Key, National Human Service Assembly
• Jim Torrens, Insight Center for Community Economic Development
• Simon Lopez, National Council of La Raza, Workforce Services
• Joe Carbone, The WorkPlace, Bridgeport, CT
• Phyllis Snyder, Vice President of Council of Adult and Experiential Learning

Attendees will include workforce development professionals, employers, worker advocates, government staff, and community leaders, AARP Foundation and AARP staff and volunteers.

Please RSVP to events2012@aarp.org by 1/27/12 with your Name, Title, Organization, City and State. Please include WEBCAST in the subject line of your email. You will receive an email the day of the event with the web link and directions on how to access the Live Stream.

WVAG secures $13.5 million settlement from Capital One

West Virginia Attorney General Darryl McGraw announced a settlement yesterday in his 2010 litigation against credit card giant Capital One.

Capital One agrees to provide $3 million in debt forgiveness to West Virginia consumers, $9.5 million to the State of West Virginia to be used for financial relief for West Virginia consumers, and $1 million to the Attorney General’s office for consumer education and restitution.

This case resolves claims related to practices utilized from 2001 through 2005 involving the sale of payment protection and the Credit Recovery Services line of business. Capital One denies liability.

Attorney General McGraw is pleased with the results of the settlement. "This was a hard-fought battle, resulting in a lot of money for the State of West Virginia. Capital One is to be commended for changing the practices that prompted the State’s action."

"We're pleased to have worked with Attorney General McGraw to resolve this matter which dates back to a time prior to 2006," said Tatiana Stead, spokesperson for Capital One. "We've since made significant improvements and look forward to continuing to serve our card customers in West Virginia."

1/1/12: No copay under Medicare Part D for Waiver participants

From the National Senior Citizens Law Center:

Dual Eligibles Receiving Medicaid HCBS Services Now Have Zero Part D Copayments Under ACA

Effective January 1, 2012, full-benefit dual eligibles receiving Medicaid home and community based services (HCBS) have no Medicare Part D copayments.

These beneficiaries are eligible for a full waiver of copayment requirements for their Medicare Part D prescription drugs. The provision is designed to put people who are receiving HCBS in the community on equal footing with those who are institutionalized. Full duals who reside in skilled nursing facilities already have no copayment liability.

If a full dual receiving HCBS does not show as eligible for zero copays, the individual may present evidence to her Part D plan showing HCBS status. This Best Available Evidence (BAE) can include documents dated after June 2011 showing state HCBS eligibility.

Advocates should be alert to problems that may arise around state transmission of HCBS data to CMS, and plan recognition of the new co-pay status. Beneficiaries may also need assistance in presenting BAE and in understanding the change in their co-payments.

To see details about who qualifies, timing, length of qualification, expected challenges and best available evidence policy, click here for more info about NSCLC's website.

New Drivers License Identification Requirements from DMV

Please note: Due to increased security and information requirements for the REAL ID Act of 2005, all new driver's licenses, license renewals, and ID cards must now have the applicant's full legal name. If your current driver's license has your middle initial only, you will need to bring a certified birth certificate or passport with you to DMV the next time you renew your license so the change can be made. If you have a different name than what is listed on your birth certificate, due to marriage or other circumstances, you may need to bring additional documentation, which may include a certified marriage certificate.

If you choose to have your full name put on your license before your renewal notice has been sent in the mail, DMV will not charge you for the cost of the new license.

NEW Drivers Licensing Requirements from DMV
Effective January 3, 2012, you will be required to bring in the documentation outlined below.
Current unexpired Licenses and ID cards are still valid and will continue to be until their expiration. All Licenses issued after January 3, 2012 will fall under the requirements and guidelines outlined below.

You must have one (1) Proof of Identity:
U.S. Birth Certificate: An original or certified copy of a United States-issued birth certificate (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Military birth certificates ARE acceptable. Hospital birth certificates are NOT acceptable
Valid unexpired U.S. Passport
If foreign born, valid, unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Documents

You must have one (1) Proof of Social Security Number:
Original Social Security Card
Wage and Tax Statement (W-2) or payroll stub with the applicant’s employer name and employer ID number, as well as the applicant’s name, address, and Social Security Number
SSA/1099 Form (Social Security Benefit Form)

Please make sure your Social Security records reflect your full legal name, as reflected on your other documents. DMV must be able to establish a name connection between documents, therefore your full legal name must match your name on file with the Social Security Administration. Your documents will be scanned and returned to you, which will provide DMV with a historical record, and provide you with additional protection.

You must have two (2) forms of Proof of WV Residency Documents:
WV utility bills (not more than 60 days old)
Tax records with a WV street address
WV mortgage documents, WV homeowner insurance documents for a WV residence or proof of WV home ownership
WV W-2 form not more than 18 months old
WV weapons permit
A Valid WV Motor Vehicles registration card
WV voter’s registration card
WV driver’s eligibility certificate (School Enrollment Form) if applicant is under age 18 with the applicant’s WV street address
WV Homestead Tax exemption
Proof of WV Public Assistance
Residential rental or lease agreement
WV DMV Affidavit of West Virginia Residency
*Be advised that Post Office Box addresses cannot be used as proof of WV Residency.

Assistive Technology Funding Opportunity

PATHS, the Partnerships in Assistive TecHnologieS, is a non-profit group dedicated to increasing awareness about and access to assistive technology (AT). Many people need AT, but affording devices can be difficult for some people. PATHS is offering two $550.00 awards to qualified individuals to purchase the AT they need. Any age and disability may apply. You (or a family member) must need AT to help foster independence at home, school or work. You must have NO OTHER funding sources to buy the devices. Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2012. You can find the application here.