Dear Friends,
I’m Sylvia Santana, your state senator for the 3rd Senate District. I’m honored to represent you in Michigan’s Legislature as we work to build a government that works for all of us — especially our seniors.
I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones in good health, and I hope some of the resources in this newsletter will help you enjoy retirement with dignity and financial security. This legislative session, I will once again continue to push for the values we care about in our district., including working on policies in Lansing that will help seniors and families in Wayne County.
This past year has been trying, but I hope you know that I am committed to doing everything possible to help make our communities better and safer places to live. Southeastern Michigan, and especially the 3rd District, have been hit incredibly hard by COVID-19, and I’m hopeful that we are nearing the end of such difficult times.
If there’s anything I can do to help you, please let me know. You can reach me through email at SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov, by phone at (517) 373-0990, or toll-free at (855) DIST003 (855-347-8003). I would love to hear from you!
Working for you,
SYLVIA SANTANA
State Senator
3rd District
Website: SenatorSantana.com
Email: SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov
Phone: (855) 347-8003
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Community at the Capitol
Please join State Senator Sylvia Santana in Lansing for a Community Day at the Capitol!
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021
From Detroit
New Providence Baptist Church 18211 Plymouth Road
Detroit, MI 48228
Depart: 8 a.m. Return: 4 p.m.
From Dearborn/Melvindale
Ford Community and Performing Arts
15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126
Depart: 7:30 a.m. Return: 4 p.m.
Lunch and round-trip transportation will be provided. Various state agencies will provide briefings and Sen. Santana will provide a legislative update.
Limited to 50 people, so reserve your spot now!
Call: (855) 347-8003 or Email: SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov
SENIOR SERVICE NUMBERS TO ASSIST YOU
“Help is just a phone call away. Please cut out and save these
useful numbers in case you need assistance.”
-Sen. Santana
Governor’s Office ………………………………………………………………. (517) 373-3400
Lieutenant Governor’s Office ……………………………………………….. (517) 373-6800
Michigan Department of:
Agriculture and Rural Development ………………………………….. (800) 292-3939
Attorney General …………………………………………………………… (517) 335-7622
Civil Rights……………………………………………………………………(800) 482-3604
Corrections ………………………………………………………………….. (517) 335-1426 Education…………………………………………………………………….(833) -633-5788
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy ……………………………… (800) 662-9278
Health and Human Services ……………………………………………. (517) 373-3740
Insurance and Financial Services …………………………………….. (877) 999-6442
Labor and Economic Opportunity……………………………………… (517) 241-6712
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs ……………………………………… (517) 335-9700
Military and Veterans Affairs…………………………………………….(517) 481-8001
Natural Resources…………………………………………………………. (517) 284-6367 State……………………………………………………………………………(888) 767-6424
State Police………………………………………………………………….. (517) 332-2521
Technology, Management and Budget ………………………………. (517) 241-5545 Transportation……………………………………………………………….(517) 241-2400 Treasury………………………………………………………………………. (517) 335-7508
COVID-19 Hotline……………………………………………………………….(888) 535-6136
Meals on Wheels: Wayne County ………………………………………….. (734) 727-7357
MI Bridges Help Desk…………………………………………………………. (844) 799-9876
Michigan Stay Well Counselors …………………………(888) 535-6136
and press “8” National Alliance on Mental Illness ……………………………… (800) 950-NAMI (6264)
Poison Control ………………………………………………………………….. (800) 222-1222
Social Security Administration……………………………………………… (800) 772-1213
Substance Abuse Hotline ……………………………………………………. (800) 662-4357
Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline…………………………………………..(800) 273-8255
THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund …………………………..(800) 866-THAW (8429)
The Senior Alliance for Wayne County …………………………………… (734) 722-2830
Wayne County Health Department………………………………………… (734) 727-7100
Area Public Safety Numbers
Dearborn Police Department …………………………………………… (313) 943-2241
Detroit Fire Department………………………………………………….. (313) 596-2920
Detroit Police Department
Auto-Pound ……………………………………………………………… (313) 267-4639
Chief Neighborhood Police Liaison……………………………….. (313) 596-2520
Telephone Crime Reporting ………………………………………… (313) 267-4600
Emergency Medical Services ………………………………………………. (313) 596-5180
Melvindale Police Department……………………………………………… (313) 429-107
Wayne County Senior Services
3600 Commerce Court, Building E,
Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 326-5202 or (800) 851-1454
seniornutrition@waynecounty.com
If you’re looking for information about aging well, check out the seniors’ section of the Wayne County Senior Services website at waynecounty.com/departments/seniorservices. Many resources are available for volunteering, donations, meals, legal issues, and local services, as well as other valuable information. Be sure to check out their Senior Resource Directory — it has quite a bit of good information!
WHAT ISSUES IMPACT YOU THE MOST?
I work for you, so I want to know what matters most to you and your family. Please visit my website at SenatorSantana.com and let me know about the issues you find most important. If you don’t have internet, call us and let us know. Your thoughts and opinions matter to me!
WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONTACT MY OFFICE:
- Comment on Legislation: If you want to express your opinion about legislation or learn more, my office can answer your questions and keep me informed of your comments. When you want to show that you support or oppose a bill, writing a letter or an email is often the most effective way to communicate.
- If You Need Help: If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office can help you resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate resources.
- There’s No “Wrong” Reason: Any comment, question, or concern is welcome. If a different unit of government would more appropriately address your issue, me and my staff can help direct you to the correct department. Remember, I am here to serve you and your family.
Contact me!
Website: SenatorSantana.com
Email: SenSSantana@senate.michigan.gov
Phone: (517) 373-0990 | Toll-free: (855) 347-8003
Increasing Access to Broadband Internet
Access to technology is critical for seniors, especially for medical appointments. Far too often, the people of the 3rd Senate District have been overlooked, neglected, and underfunded, leading to opportunity loss and economic hardship impacting residents, businesses, and our communities.
Last year during the budget discussions, I brought up the lack of funding the state provides to support seniors, parents, and children in accessing technology like broadband services. I was heartened to know that Gov. Whitmer heeded these concerns, as she kickstarted an initiative to help bridge the digital divide by establishing the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) to make high-speed internet more affordable and accessible.
With broadband access becoming a necessity, the new office will be dedicated to coordinating and advancing efforts to ensure that every home and business has access to an affordable, reliable high-speed connection that meets their needs and that they have the skills to use it effectively.
Gaps in high-speed internet availability, affordability, adoption, and use disproportionately impact communities of color, those in rural areas, and low-income households. Lack of quality internet access costs Michigan $2.5 billion per year in lost economic benefits. Evidence demonstrates that increasing opportunities to get connected have a range of benefits, including education, health outcomes, small businesses, seniors, civic engagement, climate change, rural development, and more.
Detroiters will soon be able to take advantage of the opportunities that come with having reliable, high-speed internet access.
-Sen. Santana
Meals on Wheels
Some senior citizens live on fixed incomes and struggle to pay for nutritious food due to expensive prescription drug costs, rising utility rates, increased rent, and more.
Meals on Wheels can help.
This program provides five nutritious meals per week to homebound, older adults. Liquid nutrition is also available for those who are unable to eat solid food and who have a prescription from their physician.
To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be:
- 60 years of age or older;
- Homebound (e.g., unable to leave home without assistance and unable to drive);
- Unable to cook for themself;
- Have no one willing or available to prepare meals on a regular basis; and,
- Able to feed themself.
For more information and to determine whether you’re eligible for Meals on Wheels: Wayne County Meals on Wheels Detroit: (313) 446-4444 Dearborn/Melvindale: (800) 851-1454
COVID-19 Vaccines & Resources
he COVID-19 vaccine is the only way we can get past this deadly pandemic. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, have set the state of Michigan on a pathway to return to normal with the ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan as the state continues to push toward its goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders ages 16 years and older.
If you haven’t received your vaccination shots yet, you can find more information online at Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine or you can speak with your doctor to learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated. The Michigan COVID Vaccine dashboard has lots of information about the state’s vaccination efforts, and most importantly, where to find a vaccination clinic near you.
State of Michigan COVID-19 Hotline (888) 535-6136 Michigan.gov/Coronavirus Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine
Wayne County
Wayne County Health Department COVID-19 Public Information Line
(734) 287-7870
WayneCounty.com/COVID19
Detroit
City of Detroit Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline
(313) 876-4000
DetroitMI.gov/COVID19
“The extremely safe vaccines are available for free throughout Wayne County, so I hope you will do your part in this national effort to protect our communities and get vaccinated.”
-Sen. Santana
Get Covered with Medicare
Access to affordable and dependable health care is a fundamental right for people of all ages. Fortunately, for many older Americans, Medicare is an essential health care provider that offers quality care for seniors at a great price. Signing up is easy, and some registrations are even done automatically.
Medicare is the federal government program that provides health care coverage (health insurance) if you are 65+, under 65 and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for a certain amount of time, or under 65 and with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period for the year 2022 is from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2021. During this window, you can reevaluate your coverage and make changes or purchase new policies. Enrolling in Medicare is easy since many people are automatically enrolled. If not, you can enroll online in just a few minutes. Simply fill out a Medicare application through the Social Security website at ssa.gov/benefits/medicare.
Medicare offers multiple options for insurance coverage — including planning for hospital stays, medical costs, or prescription drugs. In addition, Medicare Advantage through private insurance is available to those who need, or want, additional health care coverage options.
Medicare Open Enrollment Period for the year 2022 is from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2021
Access to affordable and dependable health care is a fundamental right for people of all ages.
-Sen. Santana
How to Avoid Phone Scams
In today’s hyper-connected world, people are finding it increasingly easier to take advantage of our most vulnerable populations, with one goal in mind: To trick you out of your hard-earned money. Scams will always include one or more of the following tactics:
- Urgent or secret requests;
- Believable stories or connections;
- Emotional appeal;
- Financial requests; and,
- Unusual payment type (wire transfer, cash reload card, gift card).
Protect yourselves and your loved ones by keeping your personal information private and secure. If you have questions or concerns, please visit the Michigan Attorney General’s website for more information at Michigan.gov/AG or call the Attorney General’s office between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (517) 335-7622.