A little over a year ago, on a cloudy Tuesday morning in November, I walked a few blocks down the street from my apartment to my local polling place in West Philadelphia to vote in the 2010 elections.  I walked up to the election judges’ table and provided my name.  Anxious to get into the booth and get on my way to work, I awaited as they thumbed through their book of names and signatures to my name.  I saw them arrive at my page and prepared to affix my signature.  Then, to my surprise, one of the judges asked a question that I had not anticipated:

“Do you have a photo ID?”

I did; in fact, I had my Pennsylvania driver’s license, my voter registration card, my student ID, and my employee ID, all of which I knew from the Committee of Seventy’s voter rights guide were among the legal forms of identification for the purpose of voting in Pennsylvania.  Still, I had no intention of presenting any of them.  This was my second time voting at this polling place, and I knew that voters in the state are only required to furnish identification upon voting for the first time at a polling place.  I calmly reminded the election judge of the law, stood my ground, and was permitted to vote without incident.  While I was glad to be able to cast my ballot, I worried that the next voter to arrive without ID might not have been as well-versed in the law as I had been and would be at risk to be improperly turned away.

The experience described above, is a troubling sign of what might happen if the proponents of PA HB 934 get their way.  The bill has passed the House and presently awaits a vote in the Senate.  The law, as presently written, would require all voters to produce a photo identification issued by the U.S. government, by the commonwealth, by an accredited Pennsylvania institution of higher learning, or by a Pennsylvania long-term care facility each and every time they vote.  In an article (free, registration required) recently published in the Legal Intelligencer, Karen Buck of the SeniorLAW Center highlights a number of reasons why this policy is costly, misguided, and likely to disproportionately hinder the rights of our state’s most vulnerable citizens.  As she notes, not only does obtaining a state ID cost money that low-income voters might not have, but it requires two proofs of residency, a Social Security card, and a current passport or birth certificate with a raised seal, to say nothing of the additional hurdles for those whose names have changed.

For some of the older adults that CARIE and our partners in the aging community work with, the onerous requirements of obtaining a photo ID could effectively disenfranchise them.  Obtaining a birth certificate may prove next to impossible for older adults from marginalized populations who never received a birth certificate or may need to obtain one from another state.  Beyond that, long-term care facilities typically do not issue photo IDs to their residents, voters without IDs and limited mobility may not be able to access transportation to a local DMV.  As Buck notes, tying the right to vote to the purchase of a photo ID reduces the franchise to a commodity only accessible to those of certain means, analogous to a “poll tax” and other thinly veiled attempts to limit the voting rights of low-income and minority voters.  With multiple studies showing little-to-no voter fraud at polling places nationwide and opposition to the bill from a bipartisan committee of Pennsylvania county commissioners who oversee elections, the effort behind HB 934 is perplexing to say the least.

In Pennsylvania and throughout the country, participation rates of eligible voters are pitiable compared to other countries with democratically elected governments.  Creating additional hindrances to exercising one’s right to vote in order to address a problem that is essentially nonexistent will certainly not change that.  The requirements of this bill will disproportionately harm voters whose voices need to be heard in our political process.

Written by Paul Vande Stouwe, CARIE MSW Intern

Unfortunately, SNAP benefits have traditionally been underutilized; while approximately 460,000 of Philadelphia residents (about ¼ of the city’s population) receive SNAP benefits, estimates suggest that about 180,000 additional residents are eligible but not receiving benefits.  This shortfall can be attributed to a number of reasons, including individuals’ fear of stigmatization from participation in a social welfare program; difficulty jumping through the bureaucratic hoops of completing an application; and a reluctance to share a large amount of private information with strangers.  In previous work experiences and on our CARIE LINE, I have seen seemingly SNAP-eligible individuals decline to apply based on these and other reasons.

In 2008, Pennsylvania removed asset limits from SNAP eligibility determinations, a decision that grew the pool of eligible households and eliminated a significant piece of red tape from the application process.  At the time, the move was seen as prudent action in light of the growing economic downturn as economic insecurity become a reality for households who would have previously thought it unfathomable.  This made it all the more troubling when I learned last week in the Philadelphia Inquirer that the state would be reinstituting the asset test, with limits of $2,000 and $3,250 for non-seniors and seniors, respectively.  For seniors with low enough incomes to qualify for SNAP, $3,250 hardly provides the safety net that it might seem to at first glance, especially when one considers that those asset limits remain unchanged since 1980.  Compared to their higher-income contemporaries, Seniors who qualify for SNAP are more likely to be vulnerable to growing medical costs, lacking the income to purchase supplemental medical coverage and unlikely to have employer-provided health coverage as part of a retirement benefits package.

With Pennsylvanians still hurting in the economic downturn, adding additional hurdles to the SNAP application process seems misguided with the already significant level of underuse of the program in Philadelphia and statewide.  SNAP benefits are entirely funded by federal dollars (with the state providing small portion of the administrative expenses, which will likely be increased by the requirement of additional documentation for review), making Pennsylvania’s decision to become one of only 15 states with a SNAP asset test that much more of a head scratcher.  The only likely financial impact for the state from the 2% of Pennsylvania SNAP recipients declined benefits as a result of the change would seem to be a ripple effect of subsequent losses in revenues for businesses that accept SNAP benefits, as well as the utility companies, lenders, landlords, and other businesses whom former recipients may need to delay payments to or fail to make payments to entirely.  With no clamor for such a policy change beyond those believing the old racially coded canard of “welfare queens driving Cadillacs” and no apparent beneficiaries (other than, perhaps, predatory payday lenders eager to take advantage of a new pool of financially squeezed potential customers), the Corbett Administrations seems to have accomplished the rare “lose-lose” policymaking.

With the policy not currently scheduled to go into effect until May, there is still time to speak out against it.  CARIE will be posting more information soon on its website and the Coalition Against Hunger has posted additional information about advocating against this change.

CARIE understands that applying for SNAP may feel like a daunting process for you or your loved ones, and we are proud to be able to assist you with the process.  We can help callers on our CARIE LINE with completing the application over the phone, help individuals complete an application in our center city office, or we can help you locate organizations in your area that can give you an in-person appointment to go through the application.  Call us at (215) 545-5728 or 1-800-356-3606 for more information and help.

Written by Paul Vande Stouwe, CARIE MSW Intern

Ice, snow, freezing rain and subzero temperatures can leave you trapped in your home and temporarily halt important services like mail delivery. When this happens, you can be stuck without access to your money at a time when you need it most.

Switching to electronic payments is a simple step you can take to ensure your money is on time, every time, no matter what winter brings. The Treasury Department recommends two electronic payment options: direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or the Direct Express^® Debit MasterCard^® card account. Switch now. It’s easy:

• Go to www.GoDirect.org
• Call (800) 333-1795
• Visit your federal benefit agency office
• Sign up at your local bank or credit union (direct deposit only)

More details, including an instructional video on how to sign up for electronic payments, can be found at www.GoDirect.org.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service

During the cold and drab winter months, you can help put a smile on a senior’s face by
providing a little bit of friendship and a quick lending of your hand.  There are many seniors who live alone, are very isolated and go without the warmth and happiness that the holiday season brings.  Each of us who extends ourselves to a senior can make the difference between a bleak and hungry winter to one of hope and contentment.

How can you help?  Making a difference to your older adult neighbors is as simple as knocking on your neighbor’s door during those days of especially harsh weather, offering to bring over some easy-to-heat-up foods for those who may be a little hungry or any needed supplies that may be difficult for your favorite senior to live without.  Please take a little time this winter to feed a senior’s soul.  A bit of your companionship, friendship, and perhaps some flowers and good food will definitely make a difference in the heart of your senior neighbor! To learn about more ways to help relieve the isolation and loneliness of elders, go to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.  Their motto is – “flowers before bread – which expresses the belief that friendship and social support are as important as the provision of food, clothing, and shelter.”  They have locations throughout the nation, including Philadelphia, and world.  Remember you can also always call CARIE at 215-545-5728 or 1-800-356-3606!

Written by Alicia Sellon, MSW CARIE intern

Even as recognition of the value of caregivers increases, the need for resources remains ever present. Recognizing this need, CARIE established the Caregiver GPS, an interactive web-based resource that helps caregivers better understand their options while working at
their own pace without any red tape. Additionally, CARIE LINE advocates are available Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm to discuss caregiver challenges, provide advice, and connect caregivers and their loved ones to resources.  Callers will always have the opportunity to talk to an advocate during normal business hours.

Visit www.caregivergps.org for more information, or call the CARIE LINE at 215-545-5728 or 1-800-356-3606 to speak with a CARIE LINE advocate today.

Written by Paul Vande Stouwe, CARIE MSW Intern

Unfortunately, there are many seniors who are victimized by crime – from assault to  burglary to financial exploitation – and feel overwhelmed and scared.  They need  help coping and figuring out what to do next.  CARIE provides that assistance through our PAVE program.  Our victims’ advocates are available to help older adults understand the criminal justice process, accompany them to court, apply for crime victims compensation, connect to counseling and receive other services as well, such as assistance signing up for Medicare.  If you know an older adult who is the victim of a crime please call us and see how we can help.  Contact us at 1-800-356-3606 or at CARIE OnLINE.

Written by David Rosenberg, Deputy Director

For many older adults living on fixed incomes, LIHEAP is more than a bit of extra help with the electric bill: it’s the money that keeps the heat on and helps them stay afloat in the winter months.  Unfortunately, one of the less publicized consequences of the congressional budgetary strife in Washington over the past year is the dramatic decrease in federal support for LIHEAP.  Pennsylvania’s share of federal funds for LIHEAP was cut in half, going from $326 million last year to $163 million this year, leading to major changes in eligibility and benefit criteria.  As the Valley News Dispatch and others have reported, the minimum payment for a LIHEAP cash grant has been reduced from $300 to $100.  Additionally, LIHEAP Crisis grants, which provide assistance to households facing a shutoff notice, trying to get service turned back on, or running out of heating oil, have been reduced from $400 to $300.

It is essential for seniors, caregivers, and advocates to ensure that eligible older adults apply for LIHEAP as soon as possible while funds are still available.

There are three ways to apply for the LIHEAP cash benefit:

1. Apply online at COMPASS
2. Download an application (Spanish also available) and return it to your local County
   Assistance Office
3. Apply in person at your County Assistance Office

Other community-based agencies, like Neighborhood Energy Centers in Philadelphia and similar organizations elsewhere can also help with the application process.  There are no fees associated with applying for LIHEAP, and no one should ever charge you for help applying.  If you or someone you are caring for needs assistance applying for LIHEAP, contact CARIE OnLINE or the CARIE LINE at 1-800-356-3606 for assistance.

Written by Paul Vande Stouwe, CARIE MSW Intern

If a deficit reduction plan is not enacted, then a “sequestration” process becomes effective that will trigger automatic, across-the-board cuts beginning in 2013 and continuing to FY 2021.  If the enacted deficit reduction plan is less than $1.2 trillion, then automatic spending cuts will be triggered to bring the total deficit reduction amount to $1.2 trillion to achieve $1.2 trillion in savings by 2021.  The automatic cuts would be equally divided between defense and nondefense spending; however, certain programs would be exempt including Social Security, Medicaid, and other low-income mandatory programs such as SNAP.  Medicare benefits would also be exempt, but fees to providers could be reduced by up to two percent. The Administration on Aging and Older Americans Act programs would be impacted by the automatic cuts.

The twelve members of the bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction or “super committee” include:  Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) (Co-Chair), Max Baucus (D-MT), John Kerry (D-MA), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Representatives Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) (Co-Chair), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), David Camp (R-MI), James Clyburn (D-SC), Fred Upton (R-MI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).  Even if your congressional district is not represented, you should still make your voice heard regarding your concerns.  It is expected that super committee members will be communicating with their respective caucuses.

The following list key dates for the special committee:

• By October 14, 2011- Congressional Committees report any deficit reduction recommendations to the Joint Select Committee for consideration.
• By November 23, 2011- The Joint Select Committee to propose legislation to realize at least $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction savings and budget cuts for FY 2012 to FY 2021.
• By December 23, 2011 - Congress will vote on the Joint Select Committee’s legislation without amendments or filibuster.
• By January 15, 2012 – If a bill is not enacted, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will make $1.2 trillion in across the board cuts to defense and non-defense programs over ten years. Entitlements, some low-income programs, and a few other budget items would be exempt from the triggered cuts.
• On January 31, 2012 – The Joint Select Committee terminates.

The Consumer Voice has developed a message for constituents of super committee members to use to advocate against cuts to essential entitlements and programs.  ”You can send it as is, or modify it with your own words. Personal stories and data that show how people in your state would be hurt by severe budget cuts are the most powerful message you can send!”

Here are links for more information: the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s policy brief, What Does the Debt Ceiling Agreement Mean for Medicare?; a New England Journal of Medicine article, The Public’s Views about Medicare and the Budget Deficit, an article from NCOA, The Debt Ceiling Deal: The Good, the Bad, and What’s Ahead, Budget Control Act of 2011, and CBO’s Analysis of August 1 Budget Control Act.