Senate District 3 Update

Apr 5, 2021 | Email

April 3, 2021

Friends, 

As we are seeing a spike of COVID-19 cases, I hope you take all the necessary precautions to stay safe: continue to socially distance and wear a mask around others, wash your hands, and follow CDC guidelines. 

It has been a busy few weeks and below are some updates about student aid, funeral assistance, health care coverage, and the Rebuilding Michigan Roads project. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 517-373-0990, or email me if you have any questions or need assistance. 

Stay safe and be well,

Sylvia Santana
State Senator
District 3

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

On March 25, I introduced two more pieces of legislation: 

  • Senate Bill 321 — This bill would create a standard in the state of Michigan for educators to recognize and address student mental health needs. This non-mandatory training would provide educators with another tool in their toolbox to assist students who may be struggling. I am proud of this bipartisan supported legislation.
    Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Education and Career Readiness
  • Senate Bill 327 — This bill adds a provision to the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act that would require employers with more than 50 employees at a given time, to post and keep posted a notice that explains employment discrimination and where the employee can go for assistance if they’ve been subjected to discrimination in the workplace.
    Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Economic and Small Business Development 

FEMA COVID-19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE 

Starting this month, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications from Americans who experienced a COVID-19-related funeral expense. If you have lost a loved one to COVID-19 and need financial assistance, I encourage you to keep and gather the following types of documentation in order to qualify: 

  • An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. 
  • Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened. 
  • Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Note: FEMA is not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources. 

Important Note 

There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien. For more information, please visit the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website. 

ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 15 

The Biden administration has extended the current Health Insurance Marketplace special enrollment period through August 15. This decision, along with the increased subsidies included in the American Rescue Plan, will make Marketplace health coverage more affordable and more accessible for Michiganders struggling with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Health Insurance Marketplace and application process, available at HealthCare.gov, will be updated on April 1 to reflect both the extended special enrollment period and the newly expanded tax credits from the American Rescue Plan. Michiganders who need new Marketplace health coverage should: 

  • Start a Marketplace application by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) as soon as possible. 
  • Update or confirm pre-populated information to see new eligibility results, including the expanded tax credit amount. 
  • Update their plan selection with the expanded tax credits. These tax credits can lower health coverage premiums for the rest of the year. 

Consumers who already have a Marketplace plan are strongly encouraged to log on to the Marketplace and resubmit their application after April 1 to take immediate advantage of the higher subsidies offered under the American Rescue Plan. Individuals who choose not to revisit their application after April 1 must wait until they file their 2021 tax returns in 2022 to get the tax credits for which they qualify, meaning they will not be able to lower their monthly health coverage premiums this year. Consumers should also know that selecting a new plan under this extended special enrollment period may trigger a reset of their annual deductible for 2021. 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) can help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints and can provide information about the Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period that is now open through August 15. 

For more information, including a schedule of upcoming DIFS and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) virtual health insurance town halls, consumers should visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

STUDENTS, FAMILIES ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE FAFSA 

Students who want to be given priority consideration for State of Michigan financial aid programs now have some extra time to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. 

This application is a critical step when applying for grants, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Academic Year 2021-22 FAFSA submissions received at the federal processor on or before May 1 — rather than the original March 1 deadline — are given priority consideration for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant. 

Students who wait to complete their FAFSA after the new May 1 deadline may not receive all the financial aid they could have been entitled to receive. 

Prior to completing the FAFSA online, the student and at least one parent or guardian must obtain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) at FAFSA.gov. This ID serves as a legal signature and confirms an applicant’s identity when accessing financial aid information through certain U.S. Department of Education websites. 

To get started with the FAFSA, go to FAFSA.gov. To learn more about State of Michigan scholarships and grant programs, visit MI Student Aid’s website at Michigan.gov/MIStudentAid. 

GOVERNOR WHITMER ANNOUNCES 21 REBUILDING MICHIGAN ROAD PROJECTS 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the first 21 state highway projects starting throughout the state as part of the 2021 Michigan Department of Transportation construction season. These projects are a blend of those previously funded through the department’s budget, as well as several supported by the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program, which is focused on rebuilding the state highways and bridges that are critical to the state’s economy and carry the most traffic. 

Projects starting or resuming this month include: 

Dozens of other road and bridge rebuilding projects are planned for the 2021 construction season through the traditional federal and state funding sources, as well as the Rebuilding Michigan bonding program.

FREE WEEKLY ACCESS TO CREDIT REPORTS 

To encourage Michiganders to consistently monitor their credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today urged Michiganders to take advantage of the recently announced extension of free weekly access from Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. The Federal Trade Commission shared the news recently that, at no cost, anyone can access their credit report weekly until April 20. 

At a time when there is a considerable amount of financial uncertainty for so many, Michiganders can get their free report online. 

As part of the consumer alert library available via the Attorney General’s webpage, Michiganders can reference the Free Annual Credit Reports: What Consumers Should Know alert anytime to better understand how to safely and securely access their three credit reports. Additional details related to credit freezes and fraud alerts are available here. 

It is important to remember that your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or by calling 877-765-8388.