Good day, CHIC and the Legislative & Advocacy Network.

Below, please find updates and news that you may find useful.

In an effort to ensure quicker communication from us, I STRONGLY encourage you to join our CHIC Facebook page. To do so, please take the following steps:
1. Go to the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey's Facebook page;
2. Click "Groups" which is located on the left-side of the page; and,
3. Click "BIANJ CHIC" to ask to join the CHIC page.

Regards to all,

Tom

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Support for renters
The Governor signed Executive Order 128 to provide critical short-term support for renters, in particular the use of deposits to cover rent. Access the order by clicking https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-128.pdf
 
Food assistance
Many New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will receive additional benefits in May to help address critical food needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Eligible SNAP recipients will receive their supplemental benefit on their Families EBT card for May with their typical monthly payment. Eligible SNAP households are those who are not currently receiving the maximum allowable benefit. The supplemental payments will be the difference between their regular monthly benefit and the maximum allowable benefit. Learn more by clicking https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/news/pressreleases/2020/approved/20200428.html
 
Hospital visitation policy
The New Jersey Department of Health has updated its policies for people with intellectual / developmental disabilities to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or direct support provider if they were to require hospitalization. View the policy by clicking https://mcusercontent.com/7c7e49637d606fe0916a8de40/files/d56ebab6-6d54-4e98-95bb-50340fc9fd6c/Visitor_Policy_4_27_2020.pdf?mc_cid=3816ca9972&mc_eid=51dd028f27&fbclid=IwAR3DZBQJO3PSzJ7tcR98zEZQiHy6L3Fvph7VsYZxob_SEsHtrUABb196oXE
 
Property tax payments
Governor Phil Murphy issued an executive order that permits municipalities to extend the property tax payments deadline from May 1 to June 1. A copy of the order may be accessed by clicking https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-130.pdf?fbclid=IwAR08s_Nac0V2tcmwfD5DIG9KPfxRh3gdjXgRhIVk3vap7NlCZ1GcmzQanQk
 
Webinar: Supporting Family Caregivers of Older Adults through Times of Stress and Isolation
You may listen to a recording of this webinar by clicking:
 
Webinar: Medicare Appeals
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) will host a second free webinar from the Center for Medicare advocacy on "Medicare Appeals" with an overview of the Medicare appeals process from attorneys who have extensive experience handling Medicare appeals. The program will include:
·        Medicare rules and requirements;
·        Helpful resources to use while preparing a Medicare appeal;
·        Appeal tips to help maximize the chance of a successful appeal; and
·        Case studies to illustrate the appeals process.

Presenters: Center for Medicare Advocacy Attorneys Mary Ashkar and Paul Grabowski

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Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey | www.bianj.org