|
Dear John,
Did you know that eligible families can still claim their 2021 Child Tax Credit? If you haven’t yet received your credit – even if you have low or no income and have never filed taxes – you can still claim at least $3,000 per child at ChildTaxCredit.gov. The deadline to claim your credit is fast approaching on November 15, 2022. If you need help navigating these resources, or with any other federal agencies and programs, you can contact me and my staff at 401-729-5600 or email me at [email protected].
Also, the 2021 tax return filing deadline for those with an extension is October 17, 2022. The IRS is encouraging everyone to file their returns electronically as soon as possible, and notes that electronic filing is not only the best way to avoid errors, but also fast and, most importantly, secure. More information is available in English here and in Spanish here.
Updates from Rhode Island
$1.5M Federal Grant for Urgent Heating Upgrades at Pemberton Apartments
No Rhode Islander should be worrying if their home will keep them safe this winter and we owe it to our seniors to make sure their homes are safe and warm, which is why I worked with Senators Reed and Whitehouse to secure an emergency federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make emergency heating and electrical renovations for residents of Pemberton Apartments in Jamestown.
The $1,488,677 going to the Jamestown Housing Authority will allow for critical heating and electrical renovations, helping to keep low-income seniors safely in their homes and avoid a potentially disastrous system failure that would have forced residents out of their homes this winter.
$500K for Women’s Resource Center
Women’s Resource Center, which provides support for survivors of domestic violence in Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Warren, has been awarded a $500,000 grant through the Department of Justice’s Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Program.
This funding will go towards helping to provide transitional housing to survivors who have lost their home due to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.
You can read more about the Transitional Housing Program here and the Women’s Resource Center here.
$81.7 Million for a New State-of-the-Art Rhode Island Health Lab
I’m proud to have worked with Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Congressman Langevin to secure a $81.7 million Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a new state-of-the-art State Health Laboratories facility.
This public-private partnership will create critically needed bioscience infrastructure in Rhode Island. The new facility will provide a modern space for the state's Department of Health and other scientists to conduct cutting-edge research, helping to ensure we are prepared to identify and respond to new viruses and infectious diseases. I look forward to not only breaking ground on the new facility, but to the groundbreaking innovation that it will support.
You can read more about this project in the Providence Journal.
Biannual Legislative Commission on Child Care Retreat
Thank you to Representative Grace Diaz and Senator Alana DiMario for hosting this week’s biannual Legislative Commission on Child Care retreat.
Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare just how important childcare and childcare professionals are to parents, children, and the economy.
We know that when parents have access to childcare, it means they can enter the workforce, earn promotions, and provide a better life for themselves and their families. Which is why, during the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan invested $39 billion in emergency funding to stabilize the existing childcare sector and provide financial relief to families.
While that funding was critical in helping to keep childcare providers and families afloat during COVID, it’s clear – now more than ever – that we must make long-term investments to ensure both affordable childcare and universal pre-k education. I am working in Congress to support programs that invest in childcare, early education providers, and working families.
$8.1 Million for URI’s Research Program on PFAS
I was proud to join with Governor McKee, Director Gray, Senator Reed, and URI President Parlange this Thursday to announce the $8.1 million renewal of the University of Rhode Island’s Sources, Transport, Exposure & Effects of PFAS (STEEP) Program for another five years.
Thanks to the work of those at the University of Rhode Island and at other Superfund Research Programs across the United States, we are finally understanding the real danger that PFAS pose to clean drinking water and the overall health of our communities.
I’m glad that Governor McKee and the Rhode Island General Assembly took decisive action this July to make Rhode Island the eleventh state to ban PFAS from food packaging. This will undoubtedly protect thousands in our state from future exposure.
In Congress, I have supported efforts to create a national PFAS drinking water standard and I’ve called on the Biden Administration to direct the EPA and FDA to phase out non-essential use of PFAS in food packaging, cosmetics, sunscreens, and other household products.
Additionally, I’ve called on the Department of Defense to test all service members for PFAS exposure to ensure that that we address any issues that may arise and provide all necessary care.
I am so glad to see the STEEP program renewed for another five years, and I will continue to do all I can to support their future work.
CODAC Behavioral Healthcare 50th Anniversary Gala
Over the last five decades, CODAC has served as a vital resource and provider of support and care for Rhode Islanders struggling with substance use disorder and behavioral health issues.
As the largest outpatient provider of treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the state, CODAC has pioneered whole person care: integrating substance use disorder treatment with behavioral health care, wellness programs, and resources for family and friends.
Thank you to CODAC for their work, for their dedication to our community, and for fifty years of service.
8th Annual Rock the Mansion for Newport Mental Health
It was great to be at the 8th Annual Rock the Mansion benefitting Newport Mental Health.
I want to thank the staff, providers, and all the supporters who have enabled Newport Mental Health to provide the highest quality recovery-oriented, evidence-based, and integrated mental and behavioral care for decades. And a special thank you to Jamie Lehane, President and CEO of Newport Mental Health, for her tremendous leadership and commitment to improving the lives of children, adults, and families living and working in Newport County, and to the Board of Directors, especially Joyce Kirby, Board Chair, and Madeline Turano, Development Committee Chair, for their support of community mental health and making Thursday’s event possible.
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Working to Hold Putin Accountable for War Crimes
Earlier this year, I introduced H.Res. 964, the Putin War Crimes Resolution with Congressman Adriano Espaillat to make clear that the U.S. Congress supports the people of Ukraine and all those fleeing Putin’s war.
In light of the scathing report issued by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine finding that Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine, we are urging the House to pass our resolution that:
- Condemns the Russian government’s gross violations of international law amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and supports the efforts of international organizations to help people displaced by war and conflict;
- Condemns the continued use of unlawful and indiscriminate violence against civilian populations by the government of Russia, its allies, and any other parties to the conflict;
- Urges that the global community hold Vladimir Putin and the Russian government accountable for war crimes committed during the military invasion of Ukraine;
- Urges the United States and its allies to continue providing defense security assistance and humanitarian aid to Ukraine as Ukrainians valiantly defend themselves against Russia’s military invasion;
- Supports the continued use of sanctions against Russia and its allies until Russia ends its military invasion and unequivocally recognizes Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and political independence.
Service Academy Nominations
One of my greatest honors as a Member of Congress is nominating candidates to U.S. Service Academies each year. Interested students should visit my website to learn more and you can also find additional information here: U.S. Service Academy Frequently Asked Questions.
Upon graduation, service academy graduates are commissioned as officers in the active or reserve branches of the military or merchant marines for a minimum of five years.
Students who are prepared to proceed with the nomination process can download the application form here.
All applications are due by 5pm ET on October 31, 2022. If you have any questions throughout the process, please contact Christopher Bizzacco at 401-729-5600 or by email at [email protected].
Help with Winter Heating and Utility Costs
As winter approaches, it’s predicted that we are going to see a higher-than-usual increase in home heating costs. To help keep these and other utility costs down, I want to share with you some resources and programs that are available through our federal, local, and state government.
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay their heating bills through federal grants to the household. There are two components to this program: Heating Assistance and Crisis Assistance.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps income-eligible households reduce heating bills by providing whole house energy efficiency services to households that qualify for LIHEAP. Some services available include installing insulation and providing health and safety measures including: installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, reducing drafts, and providing proper ventilation.
- The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is available for eligible low-income households through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted. LIHWAP helps eligible low-income households afford and maintain access to drinking water and wastewater services through federal grants. One-time payments are made directly to the household’s utility company.
- The Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HSRRP) provides a one-time service to eligible homeowners to increase the efficiency of their heating system, or replace it if necessary. Households that qualify for LIHEAP may be eligible.
As always, if you need help navigating or accesses these resources, or have questions about other resources that may be available to you, my staff and I are here to help. You can call us at (401) 729-5600 or email me at [email protected].
Reminder: Student Loan Forgiveness Program
As a reminder, the Biden Student Loan Debt Relief program will soon be available to borrowers. An application will be made available over the coming weeks. You can check your eligibility and learn more about the program here.
You can also sign up for updates from the Department of Education here.
To ensure receipt of relief before the COVID-19 loan repayment pause ends at the end of the year, the Department of Education is advising all borrowers to apply for this relief before November 15, 2022.
The Department of Education estimates that completed applications will be processed within 4-6 weeks. Approximately 8 million borrowers who are eligible for the program will receive this relief automatically since the Department already has the necessary and relevant income data. If you are unsure if the Department of Education has this information, you can fill out the application to be sure.
As always, my office is available to help with all federal programs, including navigating this new program. If you have any questions or need help, you can send me and my staff an email here or give us a call at (401) 729-5600.
Scam Alert: Student Loan Forgiveness
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Consumer Alert warning Americans against potential scams related to President Biden’s student loan forgiveness executive order.
The student loan forgiveness program is free.
As the FTC has stated, “[a]nyone claiming to be able to sign people up for the program, get them in early, or guarantee eligibility is a scammer. Never pay someone who promises early or special access, or guaranteed eligibility for the program. Those are scams and should be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”
More information is available here.
Missing Your Tax Refund?
If you are owed a tax refund, filed on paper more than six months ago, and the Where’s My Refund? tool does not have any information about the status of the return, the IRS is now advising that you resubmit your tax return for 2021, electronically if possible. They have advised that this submission must include an original signature and all the documents submitted with your original return. More information is available here and of course, my office is always available to help. You can call us at (401) 729-5600 or email me at [email protected].
Uniting for Ukraine: Welcoming Refugees
On April 21, as part of fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the United for Ukraine program.
This program will enable Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole. To qualify for the program, Ukrainians must have a supporter in the United States. These supporters are responsible for providing their Ukrainian sponsors with financial support throughout their time in the United States.
You can learn more about the program, and becoming a sponsor, here.
Important Passport & Travel Reminder
As more Rhode Islanders and people around the world get vaccinated and boosted, we are seeing an increase in both domestic and international travel. With travel resuming, many folks are looking to renew passports and this uptick in requests has led to a backlog at the State Department. Turnaround time for expedited processing is now at 4-6 weeks and regular processing is taking 7-10 weeks from submission to receipt.
Before booking international travel, please remember to check the expiration date on your passport and plan accordingly. Passports last for 5 or 10 years, depending on your age when the passport was issued. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
You can learn more from the State Department here.
As always, I am here to serve you. If there is anything I can do, please call my office at 729-5600 or send me an email at [email protected].
|
