Friends, I hope this newsletter reaches you and your family safe and healthy. As the weather continues to transition to springtime, I also hope you get to enjoy the warmer temperatures outside — it’s such a welcome break after a long, cold, snowy winter. Featured in this newsletter is:
Should you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-8360 or by email at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov. Warmest regards, |
Paul Wojno APRIL IS DONATE LIFE MONTH April is Donate Life Month, a time to reflect on the necessary work organizations like Gift of Life Michigan do to ensure that our communities are connected and that those in life-threatening situations have access to the resources they need about organ transplant procedures. On Feb. 17, USA Today reported that the national system of Organ Procurement Organizations and transplant centers performed a record number of transplants last year — topping 40,000 in the U.S. for the first time ever. Gift of Life Michigan made a critical contribution to that national benchmark because of their record-setting growth in 2021. Recent Gift of Life Michigan accomplishments include:
This surge is a direct result of the dedication and hard work put in by staff and their collaboration with hospital partners, along with the selfless organ donors and their families, who are the true heroes in every story. Read more here. If you are interested in being a part of these efforts, please consider putting your name on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and encouraging others to join as well. Using your voice on social media to amplify this message is also an invaluable way to get others inspired to join the registry. MDHHS HIGHLIGHTS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is celebrating the abilities and contributions of people with developmental disabilities in our state this March during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Approximately 180,000 people in Michigan have a developmental disability. As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is hosting events to raise awareness about people with developmental disabilities. To see all events and get more information, follow the DD Council’s Facebook page. TREATMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FOR TAX YEAR 2020 If your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $150,000, the American Rescue Plan Act enacted on March 11, 2021, allows you to exclude from income up to $10,200 of unemployment compensation paid in 2020. This means you don’t have to pay tax on unemployment compensation of up to $10,200 on your 2020 tax return only. This is a federal exclusion that reduced one’s adjusted gross income (AGI) at the federal level. Since the exclusion is taken during the calculation of AGI, no additional adjustment is necessary to receive the benefit of the exclusion on a Michigan income tax return. For information about how to calculate the unemployment compensation exclusion for your federal return, click here. The IRS automatically refunded money to people who had already filed their tax return reporting unemployment compensation. See IRS Operations Status for more details. For other tax-related questions, click here for helpful FAQs. ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR HOMEOWNERS Attention homeowners! Please remember that there’s a program available to you that can provide assistance with mortgages, property taxes, utilities, and more. This February, the Michigan State Housing and Development Agency (MSHDA) launched the Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund (MIHAF). This program helps Michiganders who experienced housing-related hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is still available, but it is limited. Please make sure you or your loved ones apply if eligible. To be eligible, homeowners must:
The MIHAF program can provide assistance to help with:
I encourage every eligible homeowner looking for assistance to apply for this program. If you or a loved one may be eligible, please apply for this assistance by either visiting Michigan.gov/MIHAF or by calling 844-756-4423. FAFSA PRIORITY DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 1 On Friday, March 18, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that 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). Completing and submitting a FAFSA is a critical step when applying for grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial assistance to help lower the cost of higher education. FAFSA submissions now received at the federal processor on or before May 1 are given priority consideration for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant. The original state priority consideration deadline was March 1. Students who wait to complete their FAFSA after the new May 1 extended deadline may not receive all the financial aid they could have been entitled to receive. 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 Web site at Michigan.gov/MIstudentaid.
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As an elected representative, I believe in being readily available and transparent because my office is your office. |