Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate)| Louise M. Tarantino
Safelink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers. New York recipients of Family Assistance, Food Stamps, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Medicaid, Safety Net Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran’s Disability Pension, and Veteran’s Surviving Spouse Pension benefits may qualify for this program. http://tinyurl.com/3gm7z7
The Health Department & the NYC Dept for the Aging are promoting the installation of free air conditioners to low-income seniors over age 60 in NYC. Please see the 2009 Application and information for applying for free air conditioners for people who would meet the income guidelines for the HEAP program. At this link is also a link to information about asking Medicaid to pay for an air conditioner. Applications for free air conditioners should be submitted immediately, as supplies are limited. http://onlineresources.wnylc.com/kbbase/entry/74/
Here’s the list of providers outside of NYC (where you would go to apply for the air conditioner).
http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/documents/Cooling-contacts.pdf
Three new computer programs that will help New Yorkers navigate the state legal system were recently unveiled. These DIY (Do It Yourself) programs ask straight-forward questions to help users prepare individualized court forms and instructions. The three state-wide DIY programs are the Support Modification Petition Program for Family Court, the Small Estates Affidavit Program for Surrogate’s Court, and the Adult Name Change Petition Program for Supreme Court. The New York State Unified Court System partnered with Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY), Legal Services NYC, LawHelp/NY, and Pro Bono Net in this project. CourtHelp (http://nycourthelp.gov) and LawHelpNY (http://lawhelp.org/ny)
Before the New York State Senate got involved in some mind boggling monkeyshines, the august body launched a more interactive and updated website. Some of the features include thumbnail pictures of Senators with links to their own personal websites, an interactive calendar, a feature that allows you to comment on and “mark up” bills that they post to the website (currently they only have election related bills posted) and an official Senate blog. Throwing darts is optional! http://www.nysenate.gov