Senator Laughlin E-Newsletter

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Local Resources:

State Resources:

Administration

Ag

Aging

  • Aging website with up-to-date info
  • PACE medications: The department is relaxing the policy that a person must use 75% of their medication before seeking a refill. PACE is working to ensure older adults remain in their home and receive their medications when they desire them. All enrollees should be able to receive free home delivery of medications from their pharmacy
  • PACE is making an allowance to the rule that enrollees use 75% of their supply before refilling will be reimbursed; however, this allowance will not apply for opioids or other controlled substances. Those request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
  • Enrollees wishing to receive an exception to the refill requirement must have their pharmacy provider contact PACE at 1-800-835-8040. Enrollees who have difficulty obtaining their refills can call Cardholder Services at 1-800-225-7223
  • The Patient Assistance Program Clearinghouse: If someone is having trouble with affording their prescriptions, the PACE team can help individuals that need that kind of support. You may contact The Clearinghouse at 1-800-955-0989 or click here for a brochure on the program. 
  • Pennsylvania Link to Community Care: A resource to help persons with disabilities and seniors find information that will connect them to supports and services in their community. You may contact PA Link at 1-800-753-8827 or visit the website by clicking here
  • Guidance for Senior Centers, Adult Day Centers and Aging Services that provide home and community-based services (i.e., OPTIONS, Domiciliary Care and Caregiver Support Programs) to help reduce face-to-face interaction and streamline assessments that may be necessary to provide services

Banking & Securities

Community & Economic Development

  • Community & Economic Development website with up-to-date info
  • Applications are now being accepted for the COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). All CWCA loan applications must be submitted through a Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO). A list of CEDO’s operating within Pennsylvania, can be found here
  • Help for small businesses-low interest loans-

Conservation & Natural Resources

  • Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website with up-to-date info
  • All facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed until April 30 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.   The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking.  Closures also include campgrounds, cabins and all overnight accommodations
  • State Park buildings are closed (including bathrooms and campgrounds), and all public educational programs are cancelled
  • The public will still be able to access open areas such as trails, lakes, and roads

Corrections

Drug & Alcohol Programs

Education

Environmental Protection

  • Department of Environmental Protection website with up-to-date info
  • Pennsylvanians can continue to use and drink tap water if they prefer.  COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection, and standard treatment and disinfectant processes at wastewater treatment plants are effective.
  • The environmental emergency hotline is staffed and environmental emergencies can be reported by calling 1-800-541-2050.

Game & Fish

  • FAQ’s for fishing during COVID-19. More information is available here

Gaming Control Board

Department of Health

Human Services

Insurance

  • For some individuals, the loss of employment and benefits may make them eligible for Health Care, such as Medical Assistance or their children und the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or other benefits.  Additional information and application can be found at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/public/cmphome.

Labor & Industry

  • Webpage on Unemployment Compensation COVID-19 Guidance and Resources
  • Guidance on the paid sick leave and paid expanded family leave components of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Information and FAQs for employees and employers can be found here: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/Pages/FFCRA.aspx
  • Individuals may be eligible for UC if:
    • Their employer temporarily closes or goes out of business because of COVID-19Their employer reduces their hours because of COVID-19
    • They have been told not to work because the employer feels they might get or spread COVID-19
    • They have been told to quarantine or self-isolate, or live/work in a county under government-recommended mitigation efforts

Liquor Control Board

  • Liquor Control Board website with up-to-date info
  • Pennsylvania distilleries and limited distilleries are permitted to produce and sell hand sanitizer if they should Retail Licensees-may continue to sell beer to go and those with expanded permits may continue to sell wine to go even in the absence of restaurant operations.
  • All Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores closed 

PennDOT

Turnpike

  • Turnpike’s website with up-to-date info
  • Trucking and Rest Areas:  The Turnpike opened all 17 service plazas, including the food court (take-out only) and public restrooms
  • Tolling: The Turnpike stopped accepting cash and credit cards at their toll booths, and started TOLL BY PLATE for non-E-ZPass customers.  Please use extra caution and slow down around toll plazas as this will add confusion to drivers.  Cash tolls will still be in place on the Mon-Fayette Expressway via the current Automated Payment Machines

Revenue

  • All lottery offices are closed but many employees are working remotely and all drawings will continue. More information on drawings and claiming prizes can be found here
  • Deadline for taxpayers to file their 2019 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns is extended to July 15, 2020
  • Department of Revenue is waiving penalties for businesses that are required to make AST prepayments by the deadline of Friday, March 20
  • Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline extended through the end of the year

 

State

  • Healthcare professionals licensed under any of its boards are allowed to use telemedicine to treat state residents when appropriate. This link will be updated continually to host releases for all of DOS regulation suspensions. https://www.dos.pa.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Waivers.aspx
  • Waivers for Healthcare Professionals: The DOS has suspended certain administrative requirements for nurses, including temporarily extending license expiration dates and waiving associated fees during the coronavirus emergency

Treasury

State Police

  • State Police urging individuals not to call 911 who wish to report a business not in compliance. They should call the local department or State Police barracks directly

PEMA

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