Behind on utilities? Watch your mail! Short deadline to get help!

On 10/21/20 the Governor announced that West Virginians whose utilities went unpaid because of COVID-19 may be eligible for CARES Act funding to pay them.

According to the press release: "Customers of electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utility companies who have experienced economic hardship and/or uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, causing them to have unpaid utility bills from the period of March 1 – July 31 of this year, may receive financial assistance to pay those bills."

The utility companies will receive the funds, and are sending out letters to potentially eligible customers with the application for help.

Even if you're not sure you qualify, might as well apply. Even if it doesn't cover your entire arrearage, might as well apply. 

If you have unpaid utilities from this time be on the lookout for a letter from your utility company that will include the application. Your completed application must be returned by NOVEMBER 12, 2020. 

It's a very short deadline. Tell your friends about it, they may know someone who needs to know. Some folks just throw out mail from the utility company when they think it's just another bill they can't pay, so it's important for folks who need it to know this letter is coming.

Email saying $299 subscription renewal fee coming out of your bank account? It's a phishing scam.

It might say it's a renewal of your Windows Defender subscription, or some other subscription service. It might say the fee for renewal is $299 and it will be charged from your checking account. It will probably say something about 24 hours and create some urgency for you, a hallmark of scams. It will likely have a phone number that it says to call if you don't want the subscription.

DON'T CALL the number. Don't reply in any form.

This is a phishing scam, and these kinds are rampant right now.

If you've been scammed you are not alone. No one is immune from this kind of victimization, no matter how educated, how smart, or how wealthy you are. 

Hearing about the details of these scams before you get the email increases your likelihood you'll recognize and avoid when it lands in your inbox. So tell your friends! Pass it on.

Track your Absentee Ballot online

There are various news stories out there creating concern about the security of our elections. Specifically there have been concerns raised about absentee voting. One tool West Virginians can use to secure their vote is the absentee ballot tracking system you can find online at https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home

Any registered West Virginia voter can vote absentee in the upcoming November election. Many already have. In order to get an absentee ballot you must complete an application for absentee ballot. You can get a printable application for absentee ballot here  https://sos.wv.gov/FormSearch/Elections/Voter/Absentee%20Ballot%20Application.pdf or you can apply online at https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home. Though you must have a reason to vote absentee, anyone can check the first box claiming health concerns because of COVID-19 and that will be accepted by the Clerk as a valid reason to absentee vote for this election.

The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 28. After your absentee ballot application is received by your County Clerk, you will be mailed an absentee ballot.

Then once you fill out your absentee ballot you can either mail it in or hand deliver it to your County Clerk. 

The last day to mail your completed absentee ballot is election day, November 3, 2020.

You can find answers to questions about voting in this election at the WV Secretary of State's website at https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/FAQs.aspx