STREAMLINED ACCESS TO BENEFITS FOR HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMSMany victims of the hurricane no longer have the records or legal documents to help prove their eligibility for benefits from various government programs. The President has granted special "evacuee" status to individuals affected by Katrina, which will simplify the enrollment process for people who need the services of programs like Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Head Start."For those persons with evacuee status, we are stripping away many of the eligibility and enrollment requirements normally needed to apply for Federal benefits," Secretary Leavitt said. "No one who has been a victim of this disaster should be prevented from getting benefits they need because of government red tape." As part of this streamlining process, states will be given the flexibility to enroll evacuees without requiring documents such as tax returns or proof of residency. Evacuees who have lost all identification and records should be able to give their address or other simple form of attestation to be eligible. The special evacuee status will apply to the full range of federal benefits administered by the states, including HHS programs that provide services through Medicaid, family assistance through TANF, child care support, foster care assistance, mental health services and substance abuse treatment services. State enrollment teams are already set up in many shelters, and many have 1-800 numbers people can call. Any evacuee can go to the nearest state or local benefits offices to get information and get enrolled. Evacuees staying in a home or church that has access to the Internet, or who can visit a nearby public library with Internet access, can also enroll by going to http://www.govbenefits.gov  .All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news .HHS ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN PERMANENT HOUSING POLICYUnited States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Dr. Michael O'Grady announced to Council members that the Department, responding both to the Administration's goal and the needs of communities, will in the future consider permanent supportive housing as an eligible use for federal surplus property under the McKinney-Vento Title V program.The Department will publish a notice for review and comment this fall to operationalize the change. The policy change will reverse the approach in place since the creation of the property program in 1987, under which eligible uses for surplus property have been emergency shelter, transitional programs, and supportive services. According to HHS, this policy change will expand the options available to communities to better meet the needs of disabled individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. FEMA AND RED CROSS URGE DISPLACED PERSONS TO REGISTERThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the front door into the current resources available to those displaced by the disaster. All persons affected, historically or newly homeless and displaced, should register for what assistance may be available. To register, those affected should call FEMA at 1/800-621-FEMA or 1/800-621-3362; TTY - 1/800-462-7585. Registration is also available on-line at http://www.fema.gov/.At Red Cross and faith-based shelters across the country, phone lines and computers are being made available for the purpose of registering. Community resources have also been made available to our displaced neighbors, including on line resources in libraries and schools. Every displaced person affected by the disaster should register with FEMA. The Red Cross toll-free call center will provide financial resources and referrals to services for hurricane survivors across the nation. Families in need can access this program by calling 1/800-975- 7585. The Red Cross stresses the importance of registering for aid using this number. |
|
Oregon Department of Education
255 Capitol Street NE Salem, OR 97310-0203 |
(503) 947-5600 | Fax: (503) 378-5156
|
 |
| Copyright © 1998-2012 Oregon Department of Education Version: 2.0.0.7 |
