The application window has been extended for Snyder County small businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to apply to receive part of a grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

The application deadline is now Oct. 30 for the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) funds. It was originally Oct. 2.

The county allocated $1.3 million CRBG funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to this program.

Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020 for the prevention, preparedness, and response to the COVID-19 crisis. For a full list of eligibility requirements and grant application forms, www.syndercounty.org. The due dates on the forms can be disregarded as they reflect the original deadline.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

County Commissioner Joe Kantz said he hopes more businesses will apply by the end of the month.

“We’d especially like to see more small businesses apply for these grants. We’ve extended the deadline for this opportunity to help them recover from the pandemic’s effects,” Kantz said.

Fully completed applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 30 via email to SEDA-COG’s Jamie Shrawder at jshrawder@seda-cog.org or faxed to 570-524-9190. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Oct. 28 and sent to Snyder County Commissioners, ATTN: Tony Phillips, Chief Clerk, P.O. Box 217, 9 W. Market St., Middleburg, PA 17842.

For more information, contact Shrawder at the email above or at 570-522-7263.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of new funding for the Iron Workers Local 404 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Apprenticeship Grant Program. This funding will support the governor’s commitment to expanding job training-related opportunities throughout Pennsylvania.

“Apprenticeship programs allow for Pennsylvania students and workers to attain the skills and abilities necessary to meet the needs of our 21^st century economy,” said Gov. Wolf. “My PAsmart initiative was created with the intent of making apprenticeship opportunities more widely available and accessible so that across the commonwealth we can provide quality trades training that leads to good, family-sustaining jobs.”

Iron Workers Local 404 JATC, of Dauphin County, received $297,000 to increase program updates through exploratory outreach and to expand outreach to increase recruitment. The grant will allow for additional collaboration with sister iron worker unions and other local trade unions, and facility updates that guarantee the most current and all-encompassing training and education possible. Curriculum and training facility updates will ensure Iron Workers Local 404 JATC has a more marketable program that appeals to individuals interested in a career in iron working or pivoting to a more dependable career opportunity in general.

Administered by the JATC, the Iron Workers Local 404 apprenticeship program is a three-year program with hands on training, demonstrations by equipment suppliers, classroom lectures, and instruction time for safety training.

“The Iron Workers Local Union #404 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee would like to thank Governor Wolf and his administration for the generous opportunity to apply for funds that will have a direct, positive impact on the economy of the commonwealth. For over 60 years, our program has served as a dependable common ground for certifying craftsmen across 35 counties, and this investment of funds will help us continue to provide an accredited education to hardworking Pennsylvanians,” said Apprenticeship Coordinator Dan Hoke. “Now more than ever, the opportunity to begin a lucrative career in the ever-changing job market is imperative, and we are honored to receive funds that will directly lead to such opportunities.”

Apprenticeship programs provide critical access to career pathways and enable apprentices to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to compete in today’s economy. Classroom training is a required component of registered apprenticeship programs across Pennsylvania and complements traditional on-the-job training. The technical material taught in a classroom environment enables apprentices to learn fundamental concepts, terminology, procedures, safety requirements, and basic tools and instruments.

Apprenticeships are a key component of Governor Wolf’s PAsmart initiative, an innovative way to improve coordination between state agencies, cut red tape, and invest in people and businesses to expand innovative job training in apprenticeships and other programs so workers get the skills they need to compete in the global economy.

The Pre-Apprentice and Apprenticeship Grant Program is a statewide program that offers assistance to registered apprenticeship programs. The program’s goal is to increase apprenticeship availability to Pennsylvania employers to assist them with their talent recruitment and development.

For more information about the Wolf Administration’s commitment to workforce training, visit DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Lycoming County – Lycoming County Resource Management Services and Muncy Creek Township Officials have been working to maintain a clean, safe, and sustainable recycling drop off program located at Muncy Creek Township municipal building. Unfortunately, the recycling site has become a location for unwanted household waste and misuse of the site.

Certain individuals have been discharging waste at the recycling drop off site; waste has included household waste, tires, and unwanted plastic items. Certain individuals have also been improperly using the site by leaving their recycling next to the containers instead of depositing them into the containers.

Leaving such items at the sites is an expense to the Township and ultimately to the taxpayers’ dollars for disposal cost and enforcement fees. Leaving such items is illegal dumping/littering.

The Muncy Creek Township recycling drop off site will be permanently closing if this issue does not improve by the end of the year, December 31, 2020.

Muncy Creek Township Supervisors will be discussing the possible closure at their upcoming Township meeting on Monday, October 19 at 7:00pm. To voice your concerns regarding this closure you may attend the meeting, write to Muncy Creek Supervisors, or call the Township Building.

LIVE online events help students & families plan for an affordable postsecondary education

Harrisburg, PA (October 14, 2020) – PHEAA today announced that the Agency will host a series of virtual financial aid webinars throughout October and November, beginning October 15, to help students and families understand the application and awarding process, in addition to various funding options.

Understanding Financial Aid Offers and Balances

Financial aid offers that students receive from schools after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provide an idea of the costs associated with post-secondary education. However, these offers can be confusing since each school formats their student aid information differently. PHEAA representatives will present a one hour webinar to assist in understanding and navigating through the different types of financial aid, what students are being offered, identifying funding balances and next steps that are needed.

Event Dates:

• Thursday, October 15 – Noon (ET)
• Thursday, October 29 – Noon (ET)
• Thursday, November 5 – Noon (ET)
• Thursday, November 12 – 6:00 PM (ET)
• Thursday, November 18 – 6:00 PM (ET)

Covering the Gap – Pieces of the Puzzle to Help Pay Your Education Bill

Understanding education balances can be confusing. PHEAA representatives are offering one-hour webinars on how to cover any gaps in a student’s higher education funding plan. These webinars emphasize best practices (such as grants and scholarships first), remind families about additional resources, and discuss private/alternative loans as a last resort. The presentation will also include the basics of credit: what is a credit score, what factors impact a credit score, how can a credit score be improved and the effects on your borrowing capability.

Event Dates:

• Monday, October 19 – Noon (ET)
• Wednesday, November 4 – Noon (ET)
• Monday, November 9 – 6:00 PM (ET)
• Tuesday, November 17 – 6:00 PM (ET)

Students and families can participate in any of these events by registering [pheaa-events500.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=pheaa-events500&service=6]here (pheaa-events500.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=pheaa-events500&service=6).

Students and families are also encouraged to follow PHEAA on Facebook at facebook.com/pheaa.aid or Twitter at twitter.com/pheaaaid and joining the conversation with the hashtag #PHEAAFinAid.

PHEAA’s Facebook page is an excellent resource to learn more about the student financial aid process, to discover what’s needed to successfully plan for higher education, and to sign-up for reminders of financial aid deadlines. Additionally, video tutorials explaining the student aid process and types of aid available can be found at YouTube.com/PHEAAstudentAid.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard.

The update includes the following:

• Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.
• Data on cases among 5-18-year-olds.
• Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.
• Updated travel recommendations.

The dashboard is designed to provide early warning signs of factors that affect the state’s mitigation efforts. The data available on the early warning monitoring dashboard includes week-over-week case differences, incidence rates, test percent-positivity, and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations and emergency room visits tied to COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period of October 2 – October 8 to the previous seven days, September 25 – October 1.

“Our percent positivity and incidence rate for the commonwealth both increased this week as we see a resurgence of cases in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Wolf said. “We cannot emphasize enough the importance of Pennsylvanians being united in taking actions to protect ourselves and others, such as wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing our hands and avoiding large gatherings. Together, Pennsylvanians can work to prevent the spread of the virus.”

As of Thursday, October 8, the state has seen a seven-day increase of 7,269 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 6,137, indicating a 1,132-case increase across the state over the past week.

The statewide percent-positivity went up to 3.9% from 3.7% last week. Counties with concerning percent-positivity include Northumberland (8.6%), Centre (7.6%), Bradford (7.4%), Lebanon (7.4%), Lawrence (6.9%), Potter (6.3%), Westmoreland (6.3%), Fulton (6.2%), Montour (6.0%), Berks (5.9%), Indiana (5.9%), Huntingdon (5.8%), Lackawanna (5.4%), Schuylkill (5.0%). Each of these counties bears watching as the state continues to monitor all available data.

Community Transmission
As of Friday’s data, Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties were in the substantial level of community transmission. The departments of Education and Health will speak with school district representatives in these counties to discuss the implications of this level of transmission.

For the week ending October 8, 14 counties were in the low level of transmission, 46 counties in the moderate level, with seven with substantial transmission:

• Low – Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Jefferson, Juniata, McKean, Potter, Sullivan, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming
• Moderate – Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Franklin, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Somerset, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland, York
• Substantial – Bradford, Centre, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union

Cases Among 5-18-Year-Olds
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of statewide cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.

Throughout the pandemic, there have been 11,171 total cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of that total, 623 occurred between October 2 – October 8. For the week of September 25 – October 1, there were 615 cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds.

Cases by demographic group is available on the DOH website.

Business Visits
The Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators that they spent time at business establishments (restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

Of the 6,812 confirmed cases reported between September 27 and October 3, 38 percent (2,599) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment.

Of those who did provide an answer, 16.7 percent, or 434, answered yes, they visited a business establishment 14 days prior to onset of symptoms:

• 53 percent (231) of those who said yes reported going to a restaurant;
• 25 percent (108) of those who said yes reported going to some other business establishment;
• 14.5 percent (63) of those who said yes reported going to a bar;
• 10.6 percent (46) of those who said yes reported going to a gym/fitness center; and
• 7 percent (30) of those who said yes reported going to a salon/barbershop.

Of the 6,812 confirmed cases, 38 percent (2,612) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 38 percent, 16 percent (424) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms. With less than half of those asked responding to the question, the department is reminding Pennsylvanians that it is essential to answer the phone when case investigators call and to provide full and complete information to these clinical professionals.

Compared to data reported on October 5, this week’s data saw an increase in people going to a bar (14.5 percent vs. 12 percent), to a restaurant (53 percent vs. 51 percent), to a salon or barbershop (7 percent vs. 5.5 percent) and up marginally for going to a gym/fitness center (10.6 percent vs. 10.5 percent). Numbers went down for this week’s data for people who reported going to some other business (25 percent vs. 29 percent). The number of those who attended a mass gathering or other large event went up (15 percent vs. 16 percent).

Travel Recommendations
Also, the Department of Health updated its travel recommendations, originally announced on July 2, to add Alaska, Indiana and North Carolina to the list of states recommended for domestic travelers returning from to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania.

It is important that people understand that this recommendation is in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A concerning number of recent cases have been linked to travel, and if people are going to travel, we need them to take steps to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community, and that involves quarantining.

Gov. Wolf continues to prioritize the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pennsylvanians should continue to take actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, regardless of in what county they live. This includes wearing a mask or face covering anytime they are in public. COVID-19 has been shown to spread easily in the air and contagious carriers can be asymptomatic.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Health today shared its weekly update on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing data and encouraged Pennsylvanians to download the COVID Alert PA app to aid in contact tracing efforts.

“As Pennsylvania experiences increases in cases, the demand for case investigations and contact tracing increase,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Case investigations and contact tracing are proven public health strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but in order to work successfully, we need Pennsylvanians to answer the phone. When you are confirmed positive, a public health professional will call to find out where you went while infectious and with whom you came in contact. Pennsylvanians can unite against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing hands, practicing social distancing, downloading the COVID Alert PA app and answering the call to stop this virus in its tracks before it affects your loved ones, co-workers or friends across the state.”

Contact tracing is the process of identifying, notifying, and monitoring anyone who came in close contact with an individual who has COVID-19 while they were infectious. The contact tracing process is not possible without a case investigation by a public health professional. Case investigators make the initial call to those with positive COVID-19 test results.

During the case investigation, public health professionals spend 30 to 60 minutes asking questions to ensure all potential close contacts are identified. They collect information about with whom the case came in contact and where the case went while infectious. Information collected during the case investigation process is not shared publicly unless doing so would help the department in its efforts to stop the spread on a broader scale. Between Sunday, September 26 and Saturday, October 3, there were 6,812 COVID-19 cases statewide and 52 percent of all cases had a case investigation started within 24 hours of receiving the positive report.

After the initial case investigation is complete, contact tracing begins. Within the same time period of September 26 to October 3, there were 1,548 contact tracing staff working with local and county health entities, partner organizations and the Regional Response Health Collaboration Program within the Department of Human Services as well as volunteers from Co-County Wellness in Berks County and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

Currently, 790 paid employees have been onboarded through a partnership with Insight Global. An additional 210 paid staff will be hired through the end of October. These new positions include contact tracing supervisors and care resource coordinators, who will help to refer Pennsylvanians to services during quarantine.

These staff monitored 10,909 contacts that were identified during the case investigations.

On September 22, the department launched COVID Alert PA, a free mobile app that uses Bluetooth technology to let a person know that they have been exposed to COVID-19 without compromising the identity or location of either the person using the app, or of the person to whom they may have been exposed. This app helps the contact tracing process by identifying and notifying those people identified as close contacts through Bluetooth technology when a person with COVID-19 does not remember everyone with whom they may have come in contact while infectious, for example, the someone they sat next to on a bus. To best support those close contacts identified through the app, there are contact tracers specifically assigned to support if those close contacts would like to talk to someone and ask questions about their next steps.

As the contact tracing program expands, the Department of Health continues to work in partnership with over 150 organizations, in addition to the county and municipal health departments, through regional partnerships to help gather and answer questions, identify problems and find solutions to improve contact tracing efforts within the region. Each regional partnership has met at least once, and includes public health staff, health providers, academic institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in helping to coordinate and engage around contact tracing efforts.

Organizations and entities interested in partnering in these efforts should reach out to RA-DHCONTACTTRACING@pa.gov.

You can find more information on the state’s contact tracing efforts and all available contact tracing positions at the Department of Health’s website here.

Pennsylvanians are reminded that mask-wearing is required when visiting businesses or in any setting outside the home where social distancing is difficult. Remember: My mask protects you; your mask protects me.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials
• Map with the number of COVID-19 cases

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

Harrisburg, PA – Multiple health care organizations and professionals recently voiced support for the health care reform plan the Wolf Administration announced to help make health care affordable, accessible, equitable, and of value for every Pennsylvanian.

“The support of respected organizations and health care professionals is vital to the success of these important reforms,” Gov. Wolf said. “Thank you to PAFP, Altarum, United States of Care, Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly, and the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association for voicing their support for these health care reforms that represent those they serve.”

Here’s what these organizations had to say:

Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians:
“We are pleased with Gov. Wolf’s focus on primary care and health care disparities in our great Commonwealth,” said Tracey Conti, MD, President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP). “Alongside the American Academy of Family Physicians, we have been touting enhanced spending by payors for primary health care for years. Pennsylvania is behind the national average of payor spending at 4.2%, compared to 5.6% nationally. Furthermore, while we applaud the creation of an Interagency Health Reform Council in order to address the state’s health care costs, we look forward to broader legislation that will implement a ‘health in all policies’ strategy to help ensure health equity for all Pennsylvanians. The PAFP looks forward to working with the governor and legislature on these important topics.”

Altarum’s Healthcare Value Hub:
“The Wolf Administration’s Health Reform Plan is unique in its comprehensive focus on affordability, access, equity and value for all health needs,” said Healthcare Value Hub leadership Lynn Quincy, Amanda Hunt and Sabah Bhatnagar. “It recognizes the inequities of the current healthcare system and, most importantly, proposed evidence-based approaches to address key system problems. For example, interagency data-sharing and coordination is a key component of better delivery of state provided healthcare. Regional Accountable Health Councils recognize that local healthcare markets differ in important ways and require a customized set of solutions to achieve the aims of this announcement. But what may resonate the most with Pennsylvanians is the Health Value Commission the governor is asking the legislature to establish. If successful in keeping payors and providers accountable for health care cost growth, this council will provide long sought relief to Pennsylvanians who suffer from unaffordable healthcare and inequitable health outcomes. As the Hub’s repository of evidence shows, we have strong evidence on how to produce more equitable, more affordable health for patients but Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states to act upon this evidence.

United States of Care:
“Amid the worst public health crisis in 100 years, COVID-19 has laid bare the gaps in our health care system that require innovative solutions,” said Emily Barson, Executive Director of United States of Care. “Since March, Pennsylvania unemployment has remained above 10%, severing people from job-connected health insurance and leaving them with unknown out-of-pocket health care costs. Between March and April 2020, nearly 50,000 people enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, at a time that the state’s budget is under pressure. Sadly, though not surprisingly, people of color in Pennsylvania — which make up 19% of the population — account for a disproportionate number of deaths from COVID-19 (29%) and infections (34%).

“The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the need for practical solutions that address both these immediate challenges and the long-term structural issues and gaps to ensure Pennsylvanians can access affordable high-quality health care moving forward. We applaud Governor Wolf and the General Assembly for making it a priority to lower health care costs and advance reforms that take into account a person’s whole health- physical, social, and financial. We look forward to seeing a Health Value Commission passed by the Assembly in 2021.”

Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly:
“We were pleased to learn of the Governor’s Whole Person Health Reform which is critical to contain costs and improve access to health care for all Pennsylvanians,” said Diane A. Menio, Executive Director of the Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly. “Pennsylvania elders too, need this protection from the increasing costs of their healthcare as well as containment of costs in critical safety net programs, Medicare and Medicaid.”

Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association:
“The governor’s new initiative really elevates the importance of behavioral health care and underscores just how important it is for individuals in need to have access to affordable and effective treatment options to improve their overall health and quality of life,” said Richard S. Edley, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association. “The integrated approach of whole-person care, which addresses both physical and behavioral needs, helps to lower health-care costs even as it improves overall outcomes for the individual we serve,” Edley said. “And, by integrating essential government functions across several state agencies, we can be sure we are tackling addressing social determinants that affect an individual’s health and well-being on the front end and ultimately deliver the best care possible.”

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is improving the COVID Relief Mortgage and Rental Assistance Grant Program to help more renters and homeowners remain in their homes. Effective Oct. 17, landlords and mortgagees will have a new option to reach agreements with renters and homeowners for repayment of rent and mortgage payments above the program’s $750 monthly cap. The program previously required them to forgive the balance of the payment.

Earlier this week the governor signed an executive order extending the application deadline to Nov. 4.

“We cannot allow thousands of families to become homeless because of the pandemic,” said Gov. Wolf.  “Improving the program and giving people more time to apply will help families to stay in their homes. That will reduce the strain on social services and help landlords to pay their mortgages.

“These are positive steps, but we still need a larger solution. I continue to urge the legislature to fix the program’s other flaws so more struggling families have a place to live.”

The program has been helping fewer renters and homeowners than intended. Under the new guidance, landlords can still forgive the balance of rent and mortgage payment above $750, but creating the option to enter into repayment agreements with tenants and homeowners, and therefore recoup balance of payments, should encourage more participation in the relief program.

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress in March, provided $3.9 billion for Pennsylvania. As part of Pennsylvanian’s response to the pandemic, the governor signed legislation in May directing $175 million of the CARES funds to PHFA to provide $150 million for rental assistance and $25 million for mortgage assistance.

Governor Tom Wolf has repeatedly urged the General Assembly to remove the barriers so more Pennsylvanians can qualify.

The governor’s proposal would:

• Raise the $750 monthly cap on rent relief to at least 130% of HUD limits – In some parts of the state rent payments exceed $750 a month, therefore landlords decline to participate, leaving tenants without payment assistance.
• Eliminate the requirement that households be 30 days behind on rent to be eligible for assistance – The requirement creates an unfair burden on applicants who prioritize rent and mortgage payments over paying for food, medicine or other bills.
• Eliminate verification that applicants applied for unemployment compensation – The added administrative step creates unnecessary processing delays of applications and availability of assistance.

“Program changes are still needed to keep people in their homes, but in the meantime, these changes will let more people get rental assistance and avoid eviction,” said Gov. Wolf. “I continue to urge the General Assembly to make changes to allow more affected residents to qualify because, now more than ever, all Pennsylvanians need and deserve an affordable and safe place to live.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention halted some rental evictions nationwide until Dec. 31; however, some tenants and all homeowners are still at risk.

Annville, PA – The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) reminds veterans who suffer from service-connected blindness to apply for the Blind Veterans Pension. The program provides eligible Pennsylvania veterans with a $150 per-month pension.

“October is Blindness Awareness Month, a key time to remind everyone that the DMVA offers a Blind Veterans Pension,” said Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eric Weller, deputy adjutant general of Veterans Affairs. “Veterans often pay an incredible price – like service-connected blindness – while serving our country and protecting our freedoms. They deserve this benefit and should apply to start receiving their monthly premium.”

Eligibility criteria to receive the pension includes a veteran who:

• Served in the military honorably.
• Was a resident of Pennsylvania upon entering the military.
• Suffered a service-connected injury or incurred a disease that resulted in loss of vision.

Weller said that DMVA continues to process payments for those enrolled in the Blind Veterans Pension program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When COVID-19 hit, we knew that veterans could be faced with financial hardship, so we pledged to make sure premiums were paid on time and new applications were processed,” he said. “Our staff never wavered in its commitment to serve our veterans and make sure they received the benefits they earned.”

To make the application process effortless, veterans should have the following documentation when they apply:

• A copy of last military service DD-214
• Proof of Pennsylvania residency upon entering the military
• A United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability claim number

To apply, veterans should contact the County Veterans Affairs Director in the county they reside.

To learn more about the Blind Veterans Pension program, including eligibility, go to DMVA Blind Veterans Pension. Learn more about the DMVA by visiting us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.