Inspector General Warns About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

"Today, I am warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or coronavirus-related office closures. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed.

The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter.

Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures."

Continue reading this warning about social security benefits scams 
https://blog.ssa.gov/inspector-general-warns-about-new-social-security-benefit-suspension-scam/#more-4667

 

MassBudget’s Week-in-Review: COVID-19 Response

"First, I want to say my heart is with each of you as we all struggle with the impacts of this COVID-19 crisis on our health, lives and families.

In a matter of weeks, our world has changed dramatically. We, at MassBudget, are working hard (remotely) to share reliable information (https://medium.com/@MassBudget) on the most urgent issues facing our Commonwealth. We are providing real time policy analysis and data to legislators. We are working in partnership with coalitions to focus our research on the most urgent solutions. We are channeling the unique expertise of our team of analysts to tackle the important challenges ahead.

As a growing number of Massachusetts residents fall ill and thousands lose their jobs everyday, we are all vulnerable. In the coming days and weeks, I look forward to working in partnership with you to focus our policy solutions on economic recovery efforts, protecting kids and families, all while centering racial and economic equity in our solutions."

In solidarity,

Marie-Frances Rivera
President, MassBudget

Read about the 'rainy day fund'
https://medium.com/this-is-not-a-drill/its-raining-an-faq-on-using-our-state-savings-account-to-respond-to-the-covid-19-crisis-26e19a749a17

Unemployment insurance 101
https://medium.com/this-is-not-a-drill/unemployment-insurance-101-547c7d8ca950

MassBudget’s Week-in-Review: COVID-19 Response

Franklin, MA: Coronavirus Update - Public Facilities Closure through May 4

To: Town of Franklin Residents, Businesses & Visitors
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
Re: Coronavirus Update - Public Facilities Closure through May 4th


Based on the information provided in Governor Baker’s press conference announcing the further closure of public schools, the Town of Franklin is announcing the continued closure of all municipal buildings to the public and employees through May 4th, 2020. These buildings include the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street, Public Library, Senior Center, Recreation Building, DPW Administration Building, Facilities Administration Building, and Historical Museum. Public safety buildings will remain open for staff and first responders only. Playgrounds will remain closed until further notice.

While the Municipal Building and other departments are closed for direct, in-person service, staff are available for all regular business activities via phone, email and our online services center at www.franklinma.gov. Residents can contact any staff in any department, pay bills, and apply for permits and so forth. Check the Town Coronavirus Portal for a department by department listing of service updates and other resources.

For those without computer access, the Town is continuing checking the white drop box for town bill pay and Census forms at the Municipal Building at 355 East Central Street. It is important to fill out your census forms and send them in as soon as you can. Anyone may continue to use the good ol’ fashioned mail for any Town business or bill payments, as the Town continues to work with the Post Office to process our mail.

Employees are expected to continue to work remotely on their remote works plans that have been approved by each department.

We encourage every resident, business and visitor of Franklin to continue to check our online portal daily at www.franklinma.gov with the most up to date information in town updates, unemployment resources, staff contacts and directories, state announcements and more.

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

Franklin, MA: Coronavirus Update - Public Facilities Closure through May 4

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #7

CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 UPDATE #7

Friday, March 27, 2020

"Friends,

Another extremely busy week on Beacon Hill. I hope everyone is staying safe and practicing social distancing.

My team and I are working hard to keep you updated and get you access to resources that you may need. Check out our website's new resource pages on domestic violence, food banks, mental health, public health, small business, and unemployment.

My team and I also held our very first virtual office hours today! Overall, it was a big success. More details to come on the next virtual office hours session next week, so please stay tuned.

I know there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty and anxiety during this difficult time. I am glad to see emails from many of you highlighting issues for me to work on. Some of the issues the Senate advanced this week include:

• Expanding access to unemployment;
• Creating a robust safety net for housing and supports for people experiencing homelessness;
• Expanding scope of practice for certain nurse practitioners to increase the capacity of our healthcare workforce (this passed the Senate!);
• Securing additional personal protective equipment for healthcare workers; and
• Extending the state income tax due date to July 15 (the final legislative action on this should happen on Monday!).

All of these ideas are in various stages of the legislative process. As ideas become concrete proposals, I will continue to update all of you. My team and I also update my website daily to keep all of you in the loop with the state government response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Follow along at our State Response Tracker (https://www.beccarauschma.com/massachusetts-coronavirus-response). In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any other opinions or are in need of assistance.

In addition, as you likely know from prior updates, I have been intimately involved in crafting legislation to aid cities and towns in continuing to operate during this outbreak. That legislation has been passed by my Committee, and currently sits with the House for further action.

Finally, please join me for a virtual tour of the State House! One of the things helping my husband and me keep our two young children entertained has been virtual tours, especially of museums. I had to go into the (mostly empty) State House twice this week for Senate session, so I've now recorded two mini-tours (#1 and #2). Enjoy!

We will continue sending these updates and resources on Tuesdays and Fridays, so as to not overwhelm you and your inboxes. Please remember that my team and I are fully up and running remotely, and we are here to help you! Please call (617) 722-1555 or email me at Becca.Rausch@masenate.gov if you have questions, comments or concerns.

Yours in service,"

Senator Becca Rausch

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full content, follow this link
https://mailchi.mp/174ba43a1927/covid19-update-12298873

Senator Rausch: COVID-19 Update #7

30.2% of Households Have Responded to the 2020 Census - 39% in Franklin!

Keep the 2020 Census responses going Franklin! 

We show a 39% response as of 3/26/20 which is more than MA (at 32%) and the nation at 30%

"The 2020 Census response rate map shows how cities and towns across the country are now responding. The map will be updated daily around 3 PM for everyone to see the response rate in their area and compare it to other areas across the nation. The map also shows the comparable response rate from the 2010 Census for each geography."

2020 Census Response interactive page  https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html

30.2% of Households Have Responded to the 2020 Census - 39% in Franklin!

39% response as of 3/26/20 which is more than MA (at 32%)

Once Upon A Town: Paul DeBaggis - Franklin MA (YouTube)

"Paul Debaggis, a former member of the Franklin, Massachusetts Planning Board, Board of Selectmen and Town Council, and today a veteran building inspector, shares his stories of a town that led Massachusetts in growth at many points over the past 50 years"

https://youtu.be/p5sc_cXHics

In the News: DPH commissioner positive for coronavirus

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, who has been at the center of the state’s efforts to respond to the outbreak of a deadly coronavirus, has tested positive for COVID-19, according the Department of Public Health, and will recuperate at home as she continues to work remotely.

Bharel, in a statement, said she was tested Thursday night and received her results back Friday.

“As the public health commissioner and an essential state employee, I have been vigilant about practicing social distancing from my colleagues and members of the public. My symptoms so far have been mild. I have notified my appropriate close contacts and will rest and recuperate at home, while continuing to carry out my work responsibilities remotely,” Bharel said in a statement.

The Department of Public Health said its offices, which are also headquarters for the coronavirus command center being led by Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, will be “thoroughly cleaned over the weekend.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200327/dph-commissioner-positive-for-coronavirus