Tag: Assistance

Application Process Expands For Homeowners Assistance Program

Homeowners who have struggled financially through the pandemic can now qualify for assistance through the West Virginia's Homeowner Rescue Program.

Homeowners who have struggled financially through the pandemic can now qualify for assistance through the West Virginia’s Homeowner Rescue Program.

The federally funded program will help qualified candidates living in mobile homes, townhouses and duplexes with mortgage payments, utilities and past due taxes. The program also offers homeowner counseling.

Erica Boggess, the director of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund said the assistance process can begin through a variety of means and devices.

“Applications are now open, you can apply on your computer, a tablet, or a smartphone,” Boggess said. “Or you can request a paper application, if that’s what you need.”

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a covid-related hardship, such as a decrease in income or an increase in expenses related to the pandemic.

For more information, including how and where to apply, go to wvhdf.com/west-virginia-homeowners-rescue.

Some SNAP Recipients In W.Va. Could See Benefits Increase During Coronavirus Pandemic

 

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families announced in a news release Tuesday that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, may be eligible for two waivers from the federal government.

 

One waiver will provide an extension of the renewal period for those already receiving SNAP benefits. This waiver affects those who are due for an eligibility review in March, April or May. The release states these individuals would have their review delayed for six months.

The second waiver allows for a supplemental payment to households that were approved for SNAP benefits prior to April 1. These payments are expected to be released to Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT cards, on April 3 and May 1. 

DHHR said in their release that all SNAP recipients who are eligible for either of these waivers will be notified.

Drug Screening Now Required for W.Va. TANF Applicants

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announced it has started drug screening benefits applicants of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

DHHR said in a news release it began screening people who apply for TANF, also known as WV WORKS, early last week.

The screening requirement is part of a three-year pilot program that state lawmakers passed in 2016, but required approval from the U.S. Administration for Children and Families.

To be eligible for benefits, applicants must now complete a drug-screening questionnaire to determine if there’s reasonable suspicion of drug use. If there is suspicion, that individual will be required to take a drug test.

Those who test positive will be referred to a substance abuse treatment and counseling program, as well as a job skills program. 

West Virginians enrolled in WV WORKS receive financial and supportive services such as training assistance, occupational skills development, job search support and child care assistance.

FEMA Approves $28 Million for Disaster Assistance

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin says it will be some time before the state has fully recovered after devastating floods in late June. He says he anticipates the damage to well-exceed $100 million.

Governor Tomblin held a press conference Wednesday to update the state on the status of recovery efforts in West Virginia.

Tomblin says 12 counties have been approved for FEMA assistance, and more than 7,000 residents have applied for individual assistance. FEMA has approved more than $28 million for individuals and households.

More than 3,300 visitors have stopped by at recovery centers. More than 400 disaster-related unemployment claims have been filed.

Roadways impacted by the flooding have reached about $55 million worth of damages.

“Obviously this, you know, as big as it is, it’s going to take some,” Tomblin said, “and you know, it will be expensive and ongoing for some time to handle all the cleanup of this event.”

Tomblin says he’s planning to schedule a special session sometime soon to see what the state Legislature can do to help in the relief efforts.

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