March 2023 Resource Update

United Way 211

Remember 211 provides referrals to critical resources in the community. Check out the website and call 211 to speak directly with a specialist.

https://www.211unitedway.org/

Free Tax Preparation Sites The Minnesota Department of Revenue can help connect you to tax preparation resources: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/free-tax-preparation-sites You may qualify for free tax return preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or the AARP Tax-Aide programs. These programs help prepare federal and state income tax and property tax refund returns. Use the search tool on the Department of Revenue website above — or try the interactive map — to find sites, hours, and contact information. You may also qualify to file your own income tax return electronically at no cost. For details, see Free Electronic Filing. St. Paul Vet Center Small counseling center offers confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families in a non-medical setting at no cost. Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at Vet Centers you can form social connections, try new things, and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed. No need to be enrolled in VA Health Care or have a service connected disability. Call center is available 24/7 at 877-927-8387. https://www.va.gov/st-paul-vet-center/ Safely dispose of unwanted medicine You can bring your unwanted, expired and unused medicines to one of five county drop boxes for free and safe disposal. Safe disposal of unwanted medicine helps prevent crime, drug abuse and accidental poisoning. Not flushing medicines down the drain or disposing of them in the trash helps protect our environment.

Locations: Arden Hills - Ramsey County Sheriff's Patrol Station 1411 Paul Kirkwold Dr. Arden Hills, MN New Brighton Public Safety 785 Old Highway 8 NW New Brighton, MN 55112 North St. Paul City Hall 2400 Margaret Street North St. Paul, MN Saint Paul - Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center 425 Grove St. Saint Paul, MN White Bear Lake Public Safety Department 4701 Highway 61 White Bear Lake, MN

Drop boxes are located inside the lobby at all locations. Free parking is available.

Please note that the medicine drop box located by the city of Maplewood Police Department entrance has closed as of Feb. 1, 2023.

For hours, acceptable items and more information

Need Help Finding Legal Help?

NEW LAWHELPMN.org Guide available

New resources are available to the public including the NEW LawHelpMN.org Guide. You can search by legal issue, lawyer, or the self help library available at www.LawHelpMN.org. The website is available in English, Espanol, Hmoob, and Somali.

Minnesota Legal Advice Online for low income Minnesotans: www.MNLegalAdvice.org

And a new Coordinated Intake Line for referrals for legal services. Call 1-877-BYMNLAW (1-877-696-6529) so you don’t have to tell your story over and over to different agencies.

The Minnesota Elder Justice Center has a great video library of their FREE resource webinars, including the webinar, “Finding Legal Help in Minnesota”, which shows how to use the new LAWHELPMN.org Guide and other resources listed above. Go to: https://elderjusticemn.org/resources/video-library/.

COVID Emergency SNAP (E-SNAP) to end

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) received a waiver from the federal government to temporarily provide extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits known as Emergency SNAP, or E-SNAP.

The temporary increase boosted households’ monthly benefit to the maximum allotment for their household size – or, if they were already getting the maximum amount, households received an additional $95 each month. Federal officials declared that the E-SNAP allotments will end after February 2023.

E-SNAP is issued the month after eligibility is approved, therefore most households will get their last E-SNAP payment in March and benefits will return to the standard monthly benefit in April. To learn more and read answers to frequently asked questions visit: https://mn.gov/dhs/snap-changes/end-of-e-snap/.

Ramsey County 2022 Food Security Needs Assessment Executive Summary Available

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84952657369pwd=WE1EMlZVaGN1TGUxMGl0dEp3L3cydz09

February 2023 Resource Update

*New* As of January 17th, US military veterans in an “acute suicidal crisis” can now receive free treatment including inpatient care up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.

If you or a loved one have contemplated suicide, call The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to connect with a trained counselor.

• The expanded care announced by the Department of Veterans Affairs is meant to “prevent veteran suicide by guaranteeing no cost, world-class care to veterans in times of crisis.” Veterans who are seeking that care can go to any VA or non-VA health care facility, the release said, and they do not have to be enrolled in the VA system to receive care.

• The new policy says veterans who were discharged after more than two years of service under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for the care, which will either be paid for or reimbursed by the VA.

• The policy will also apply to former service members, including those in the Reserves, who served “more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation” who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and veterans who were the victim of sexual assault, sexual battery, or sexual harassment while serving.

• According to the VA’s release, the policy will “[p]rovide, pay for, or reimburse for treatment” of eligible veterans’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility, to include 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient.

• The policy will also allow the VA to make “appropriate referrals” after a period of emergency suicide care, determine veterans’ eligibility for other service and benefits from the VA, and refer veterans who received the emergency care to other VA programs and benefits.

COVID-19 treatment at no-cost

Flier on the FREE MN Telehealth Test-to-Treat Program

The State of Minnesota launched a new telehealth test-to-treat program to ensure Minnesotans who have tested positive for COVID-19 have easy access to clinician care and, if appropriate, medicine that can reduce their risk of serious illness or hospitalization.

All services, including the consultation, medication and delivery, will come at no cost to the Minnesotans who use this service.

For more information on how to access the test-to-treat program, and for instructions on downloading and getting started with the Cue Health App, visit: care.cuehealth.com/mn or call 1-833-283-8378.

For free COVID testing information and locations, go to: Testing Information

In-home vaccination program

Did you know that Minnesota has a COVID-19 in-home vaccination program? This service applies to homebound residents and children.

Learn who may be eligible.

Language services available.

To schedule, call 1-833-431-2053.

Why do I need an updated booster?

• The virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. The different versions of the virus that have developed are called variants. Learn more.

• Updated boosters can help build protection that has decreased since your last shot, and provide better protection against newer variants.

• Boosters are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19.

• Booster shots are common for many vaccines, like the flu shot or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis).

HomeHelpMN Increases Assistance, Extends Deadline

HomeHelpMN adopted program changes took effect August 12, 2023:

• The cap on assistance was increased to $50,000 per household. The prior limit was $35,000.

• There is no longer a time restriction on past-due expenses. Previously, expenses had to be incurred after January 21, 2020.

For applications being processed, the new criteria will be used and no additional action is needed. Applicants who were previously denied but are still in need of assistance and meet eligibility criteria may request their case be reopened by calling 800.388.3226.

HomeHelpMN can help with:

• OVERDUE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS

If you are behind on your house payments, you may qualify for financial assistance to reinstate your mortgage.

• OTHER PAST-DUE EXPENSES

You may be having a difficult time keeping up with housing-related expenses like property taxes, insurance, association fees or lot rent. We might be able to help with these expenses.

To begin an application or learn more, visit HomeHelpMN.org or call 800.388.3226.

NeighborWorks Home Partners

NeighborWorks Home Partners is ready to lend a hand with affordable home improvement financing to improve home safety and the health of those who live there. NeighborWorks Home Partners can help homeowners living in the 11-county metro area with a Metro Home Loan and MHFA Fix Up Loans. Additional assistance is available to Ramsey County homeowners living in the Cities of St. Paul, Shoreview and Woodbury. Call: 651-292-8710 or visit: NeighborWorks Home Partners Home Improvement Loans.

Ramsey County Library has growing “Library of Things”

You can now check out a drill set, bundt pan, dessert decorating set, various games, knit or crochet kits, etc. Go to https://www.rclreads.org/and search for: Library of Things. The library also has a variety of puzzles on site to take, enjoy, keep or return.

January 2023 Resource Update

Minnesota launches new COVID-19 telehealth treatment pilot program

· The State of Minnesota launched a new telehealth test-to-treat program so Minnesotans who have tested positive for COVID-19 get medical care and treatments that lower their risk of serious illness or being hospitalized.

· Minnesotans who test positive for COVID-19 can download the Cue Health app and talk virtually with a medical professional.

· Services include consultation, medication, and delivery. The program is free and can be used by all Minnesota residents.

· For more information on how to connect with the program and instructions on getting started with the Cue Health App, visit care.cuehealth.com/mn.

More COVID-19 tests are available free online

The White House announced a limited number of free at-home COVID-19 tests for the winter. Households can order standard at-home tests or tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Older adults and people with disabilities can order from the Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116 or the Disability Information and Access Line: 888-677-1199. Staff are available from 7:00am to 8:00pm Central Time, M - F.

Winter Fun at Ramsey County Parks

Ramsey County Parks & Recreation offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages all year round! Head to the park and embrace the fun of winter – go sledding, skiing, snowshoeing and more. Here's what you can expect to find during the upcoming season: ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, kick sledding, and more. Go to:

Winter fun at Ramsey County Parks

Maplewood library/Service Center closed for renovation

During the closure, the Maplewood Service Center will have a satellite location at the Maplewood Mall.

New Online Resources:

CareNextion.org

Senior Community Services, a Minnesota non-profit serving older adults and caregivers, has launched a free, secure online tool to coordinate the help of family and friends. It provides care teams of informal caregivers with a way to centralize communication, including task scheduling & assignment, journaling, and local resources. Check out: CareNextion.org

ElderCareIQ.org

Elder Voice Advocates (EVA) (formerly named Elder Voice Family Advocates) created an online tool for those looking for information on Minnesota’s nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health care agencies. Minnesotans can now look up the health and safety record through access to state inspection reports of every licensed senior care provider in the state on a single website. Elder Care IQ can help people identify providers that have a history of abuse and neglect of residents, as well as those that received a clean bill of health from state inspectors.

CareOptionsNetwork.org

Care Options Network is now sharing their comprehensive data in a fully searchable website of collected and organized services for older adults. No personal information or fee is required to help you find the services you need. The website also provides a searchable online vacancy tool for various types of senior housing and long term care facilities. Additionally, The Network News is a weekly newsletter for care professionals, which can also be accessed online for free, whether a member of Care Options Network or not.

Peer Support Connection Warmline 1-844-739-6369

A safe and free way for individuals to receive confidential and anonymous one on one peer support. Trained peer support specialists and recovery coaches are dedicated to improving access to mental health and substance use recovery for all MN residents with a focus on reaching underserved communities. Available 5pm - 9am (7 days a week/365 days a year).