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Masks no longer required in most places beginning March 12
With dropping hospitalization rates, improving vaccination rates, and broad access to masks and tests, Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the state can soon move into a less restrictive phase of the COVID-19 response. The lifting of statewide measures does not prohibit local governments from the ability to enact measures in response to COVID-19 activity in their communities.
Inslee and leaders from the state Department of Health said the combination of dropping COVID-19 hospitalization rates and efficacy of vaccines in preventing severe illness and hospitalization are important indicators that statewide requirements can begin to loosen.
Continue reading Governor Inslee's Press Conference.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.
If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. To receive the connected device discount, consumers need to enroll in the ACP with a participating provider that offers connected devices (Note: not all internet company offer device discounts.) The internet company will provide the discount to the consumer.
Consumer FAQs on the program: Affordable Connectivity Program Consumer FAQ | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)
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 Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.
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Participants should be aware of the following: Participation is completely voluntary and will not result in any preference or selection for any state or federally funded contract or grant through Washington State Department of Commerce. Answer all questions in the spaces provided. Electronically submit via email to bizgrants@commerce.wa.gov by March 4, 2022.
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What kind of assistance can FEMA provide?
For survivors of the Nov. 5-Dec. 2, 2021 severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in Clallam, Skagit and Whatcom counties, including the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, the Quileute Nation and other tribes in the three counties, FEMA may be able to provide:
- Lodging Expense Reimbursement for hotel expenses for uninsured applicants whose homes were unlivable after the disaster. Keep copies of receipts.
- Home Repair/Replacement Assistance for disaster losses not already covered by another source.
- Rental Assistance for alternative housing if the home was made unlivable by the disaster.
- Personal Property Assistance to repair or replace essential, uninsured personal property damaged in the disaster.
- Transportation Assistance for primary vehicles damaged by the disaster.
- Medical and Dental Assistance for uninsured medical and dental needs or losses caused by the disaster.
- Funeral Assistance related to a death attributed directly or indirectly to the disaster.
The deadline for applications is March 7, 2022.
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REAL ID will affect access to places controlled by the federal government such as airport security checkpoints, U.S. border crossings and secure federal buildings (like military facilities). You can still access federal facilities like courts, Social Security offices, national parks, and health care facilities with a standard driver’s license or ID.
You can continue using your standard driver license and ID card to board all domestic commercial flights until enforcement begins on May 3, 2023. After that make sure you have one of the Real ID compliant documents listed below to fly within the US.
For more information visit dol.wa.gov!
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Media contact: Public Affairs, (360) 725-7055
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has adopted his rule banning insurers from using credit information to set auto, homeowner and renter insurance for three years, effective March 4. In addition, he’s proposing a new transparency rule requiring insurers provide policyholders with a written explanation for any premium change.
“I’m taking this action against insurers’ use of credit scoring in response to the economic harm many people have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic—harm that has significantly impacted people who are already financially vulnerable,” said Kreidler. “We know that now, more than ever, credit reporting is unreliable. It is unfair to base how much someone pays for frequently mandatory insurance on an unreliable and fluctuating factor like a credit score.”
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International Women's Day
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality.
Learn about the 2022 #BreakTheBias Campaign here!
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 The Improving Air Quality in Overburdened Communities is an exciting initiative of the Climate Commitment Act. While the Climate Commitment Act is focused on greenhouse gas reduction, it also creates an opportunity to address existing air quality concerns in communities most impacted by air quality. The Act states that as we lower greenhouse gases and carbon pollution, we’re also to reduce other forms of air pollution, like fine particulates or ozone.
Your input is essential to this process and to identify overburdened communities that best represent the needs across Washington State. This survey will be open through March 2022.
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Financial Aid Appeals
Information for Students & Families
Colleges May Adjust Financial Aid Based on Change in Circumstances
If someone in your family has lost a job or is working less, colleges may be able to provide more financial aid.
Colleges may adjust financial aid based on a student’s or parent’s job loss, loss of benefits (like child support), or even extraordinary medical or dental bills. Each situation is different, and colleges’ requirements vary, so students should contact the financial aid office to talk about options:
- If you’ve already completed a 2022-23 FAFSA or WASFA, talk to the financial aid office about your situation.
- If you haven’t applied for financial aid, it’s not too late. Submit your application, then follow up with the college to discuss changes.
Never pay for assistance with the financial aid appeals process. If you need help, stick with free, trustworthy resources like SwiftStudent.
Learn more about financial aid appeals and plan your future on the WSAC website.
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Over a Quarter of Children Lived With At Least One Foreign-Born Parent
Children who lived with at least one foreign-born parent in 2019 had different characteristics than children who lived with native-born parents. Those with at least one foreign-born parent were more likely to live with two parents but didn’t fare as well economically.
While the majority of children under 18 in the United States lived with native-born parents in 2019 (69.7%), over a quarter (26.3%) lived with at least one foreign-born parent, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report.
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The 2022 legislative session opened Monday, January 10, 2022. Limited to only 60 days, it's being conducted remotely due to Covid-19. Citizen participation is available via remote access, phone calls and email. Public testimony will be taken via Zoom; hearings and televised floor action courtesy of TVW on your local channel or TVW.org. Be apart of the process, click on the legislative bill watch button located next to the 2022 Priorities button- and learn which bills we are tracking!
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