Resources You Can Use | VOAD Affiliates

Ohio Train Derailment Resources

Click these links for information on the Ohio Train Derailment:

PA Resources for Residents

Train Derailment Dashboard

Ohio Train Derailment (pa.gov)

https://www.pema.pa.gov/derailment/Pages/default.aspx

Click here for the DHS webpage.

The PA Department of Human Services has a new website for Mass Care. You can read about the Task Forces and other resources available to support mass care needs in the Commonwealth at www.dhs.pa.gov/MassCare.

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 (PHE), to expire on May 11, 2023. The CMS fact sheet will help consumers and providers know what to expect at the end of the PHE so that they can continue to feel confident in how consumers will receive health care. The fact sheet provides coverage information on COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment.

You can do all these things online or on the phone:

Online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS
Using the free myCOMPASS PA Mobile App
Calling 1-866-550-4355 (215-560-7226 if you live in Philadelphia)

From SAMHSA: Overview of the Impacts of Long COVID on Behavioral Health.

The Public Health Emergency and National Emergency declarations for COVID-19 will end on May 11, 2023. Many of the programs will end. However, the end of the declarations will not affect the application period for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance or the eligibility period for COVID-19-related funeral expenses. FEMA will release more information when a deadline for the end date is established. The American Red Cross has also indicated that their Virtual Family Assistance Center program will be ending on May 11.

Philadelphia OEM has produced an excellent resource for hurricane season. You can discover the resources here.

INSURANCE RESOURCES

🔺United Policyholders has set up a Hurricane Ian Help Library to assist impacted households with current information and resources. United Policy Holders also has these resources:

Do you need up-to-date travel information?

Do you know that you can get information on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting 511PA. 511PA is free and available 24 hours a day; it provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. You can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool. Motorists can sign up for alerts on 511PA by clicking on “Personal Alerts” in the left-hand menu. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling ☎️ 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

The PA Department of Human Services encourages all Pennsylvanians with low incomes to enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program that helps people pay for broadband service and internet-connected devices necessary to maintain reliable internet access in their homes. Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov to apply or print out and mail in a completed application.

Implicit Bias

The Office of Health Equity in the PA Department of Health has developed an Implicit Bias Toolkit. This is toolkit, which is intended for those working in healthcare settings, can provide a lot of great resources and information surrounding the reduction of implicit and explicit bias in our work as well. You can find the toolkit at Implicit Bias Toolkit. Other useful resources can be found online to help you consider the manifestation and impact of biases in our daily lives. One example is Harvard University’s Project Implicit.

IRS Tax Tip 2023-63 – AFTER A DISASTER, HERE’S WHERE TAXPAYERS CAN FIND IRS INFORMATION FAST

Rebuilding after a natural disaster can be overwhelming. Important documents like financial information and tax records are often destroyed in a disaster, and reconstructing these records is important for applying to federal assistance and insurance reimbursement. IRS.gov has the information disaster victims need, including disaster-related filing extensions and information about tax relief.

These IRS.gov webpages have tax-related disaster relief information:

Reconstructing Records After a Natural Disaster or Casualty Loss: This webpage helps who need to reconstruct their financial records after a disaster. This may be essential for properly documenting a tax-deductible loss, supporting various tax-related transactions or getting federal assistance or insurance reimbursement.
Tax Relief in Disaster Situations: This page features links to resources that walk people through information that will help them after a disaster. It also links to local news releases and frequently asked questions.
IRS News From Around the Nation: This page rounds up news about local areas, including disaster relief and tax provisions that affect certain states.
Frequently Asked Questions for disaster victims: This resource links to pages with answers to questions that victims may have. Each page highlights a specific topic to help people after a disaster.

These IRS publications can also help taxpayers:

Publication 3067, IRS Disaster Assistance – Federally Declared Disaster provides information to individuals and businesses affected by a federally declared disaster. It also covers the assistance available to disaster victims.
Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster and Theft Loss Workbook helps individual taxpayers figure their loss on personal-use property in the event of a disaster, casualty or theft.
Publication 584-B, Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook helps businesses figure their loss on business and income-producing property in the event of a disaster, casualty or theft.
Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts explains the tax treatment of casualties, thefts and losses on deposits.

More information:
DisasterAssistance.gov
Ready.gov