Older Announcements

Scammers are Using Cryptocurrency to Steal Your Money

Recently, three Vermonters reported losing just under $1 million in total to cryptocurrency scams. As a peer-to-peer spending source, every type of scam could at any point use cryptocurrency as the preferred form of payment. Cryptocurrency is a peer-to-peer spending source commonly referred to as “Bitcoin.” Scammers like cryptocurrency, because there is no third-party banking institution involved in the transfer of funds and most transactions cannot be reversed.

Known cryptocurrency scams include:

•             Ponzi schemes

•             Investment scams and unlicensed sellers

•             Stock scams

•             Hackers and computer tech support scams

Computer hackers have drained personal accounts and have compromised entire cryptocurrency systems.   Use extreme caution when searching for computer tech support help. Seek guidance and advice from your friends and relatives when trying to locate a tech support company. Never allow remote access to your computer or click links in a strange email or pop-up, doing so can put all your accounts at risk.

As a new currency, cryptocurrency is complex.  Consumers must do thorough research before buying or investing in cryptocurrency.   Learn more about cryptocurrency and scams on the CAP Connection blog: https://blog.uvm.edu/cap/.

If you have been impacted by this scam, please contact the State of Vermont Consumer Assistance Program right away.  You can report scams using our online scam reporting form or call the Consumer Assistance Program at 800-649-2424.  To Update your VT-Alert Profile - Click Here.  For info on VT-Alert go to WWW.VTALERT.GOV . If you want to unsubscribe from receiving email notifications, please contact the VT-ALERT Admin at [[dps.vtalert@vermont.gov]]

Vermont Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Program

Vermont Public Transportation Association (VPTA) is proud to provide Medicaid transportation services through the public transportation providers for the entire state of Vermont. If you, a family member or a patient you are working with needs either local or long-distance transportation to a Medicaid covered medical appointment, VPTA can help. Vermont’s NEMT services are provided by the membership of VPTA. We work closely with the public transportation providers throughout the state to offer local coordinated transportation to Medicaid members who qualify and need to get to and from Medicaid billable appointments with no access to other transportation.

You may already know this, but I thought some people might be interested in the following information.  There is also a Car Exception Form (which I have), so if there is a vehicle in the household but there is some reason it can’t be used to transport the person, Medicaid will pay for the trip.

Each ride will be determined based on the most cost-effective, medically appropriate mode by your transportation provider. These rides may be via public transportation bus, van, cab or volunteer driver and will be coordinated with other members and other programs whenever possible. If your trip meets eligibility requirements for transportation, your regional public transportation provider will make the trip arrangements for you.

How Do I Know If I Qualify? Medicaid will provide rides to Medicaid-billable or Blueprint-sponsored appointments for eligible members when it is determined that you have no other means of transportation available in your household. It must be proven by the member that no other transportation options exist. Call us toll-free if you have questions or need support at 833-387-7200.

3 Simple Steps to Determine Your Eligibility

1. Call your local transportation provider or call VPTA toll free (833-387-7200) to confirm eligibility.

2. A DMV check must be completed on you household prior to transportation These checks can take up to 24-48 hours to be completed and are repeated on an annual and random basis to confirm eligibility.

3. Fill out and sign the NEMT Rules and Guidelines document and review the code of conduct and any required forms that your local transportation provider states that you need. Please return them to us via mail at VPTA 160 Benmont Ave. Suite 11 Bennington, Vermont 05201. 

Double your 3Squaresvt Benefits!

When you spend $10 in 3SquaresVT benefits at a Farmers Market, you'll receive $10 in Crop Cash to purchase fruits, veggies and edible plants! This means $10 In 3SquaresVT buys $20 in Local food! Crop Cash helps Vermonters purchase more fresh produce from local farmers! Want to learn more about 3Squaresvt or need help applying? Please contact the CVCOA Helpline at 1-800-642-5119

Take the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Walking Tour - Map now available! 

Thanks to MSAC member Page Guertain for sharing this great resource with us - full brochure is here and we are getting some hard copies for distribution at MSAC! Along this tour you will visit and learn about a variety of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) practices and required maintenance. You will see bioretention basins/rain gardens, curb cuts, permeable pavement, and vegetated buffers. These GSI practices provide stormwater management and co-benefits such as wildlife habitat, urban heat island mitigation, and pollinator foraging sites. You will also see evidence of historic flooding in Montpelier and learn about the connection between land use here and water quality in Lake Champlain. All sites on this map are visible from a road or public right of way. Please use caution as you make your way from site to site. Consider bringing a trash bag to help maintain the sites.

Kellogg-Hubbard Library Book Sale – New Perpetual Format! 

New Perpetual format! Always open. Books restocked weekly. Check back often! We are still able to accept donations for the book sale.  For more info: https://www.kellogghubbard.org/book-sales. 

Heat Safety Tips from VT Dept. of Health

As it starts to get hot outside more often, there are important steps you can take to keep yourself and your friends and family safe. Beat the heat with these tips for staying cool, hydrated, informed. Also, how to listen to your body, stay in touch, cool your home, recognize symptoms and risk factors! Click here to read more as well as the item below!

Why Seniors are at an Increased Risk for Dehydration and How to Avoid it

Dehydration is a common problem for seniors. Seniors have a higher risk of becoming dehydrated than younger adults. As we age, our bodies are unable to retain as much water. This means that seniors have lower fluid reserves in their bodies. Older adults may not recognize when they're dehydrated. This is because the thirst response dulls with age. Dehydration can also result from medical issues that are more common in seniors. Click here to learn more about RISK FACTORS, EFFECTS and WARNING SIGNS of dehydration in this web resource provided by our friends at Home Care Assistance.

VHFA Mortgage Assistance Program

VT Housing Finance Agency has re-opened our Mortgage Assistance Program. It covers up to 12 months of past-due mortgage payments and property taxes for eligible Vermont households to help prevent foreclosure. We have a page of promotional materials including graphics and a program description to make sharing easy: https://www.vhfa.org/map-info/promotional-materials. You can also call the Senior HelpLine for assistance at 1-800-642-5119.

Five ways of honoring Senior Veterans 
We came across this great resource you might like to check out!

Have you heard? Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

WHAT IS IT? The benefit provides:

• Up to $50/month discount for broadband services;

• Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and

• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? A household is eligible if one member of the household:

• Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guide lines or participates in certain government assistance programs;

• Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch or breakfast program;

• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;

• Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020; or 

• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to submit an application and to find participating providers near you.  For more details, click here or call 833-511-0311

What’s new with the Capital Area Neighborhoods (CAN)? 
Sustainable Montpelier Coalition (SMC) continues to support the Capital Area Neighborhoods network. SMC shares communications from the City’s Departments, partners and COVID-related updates with City residents through the CAN Network to ensure that everyone has the best information. Additionally, SMC works with CAN Coordinators to help identify neighborhood specific projects that will better the neighborhood and bring people together.

CAN is rolling out Neighborhood Information Kiosks (NIKs) in 6 different neighborhoods. The NIKs are a helpful and fun way to share information with neighbors. If you see a NIK, look for important notices, and if you have something to share with your community, feel free to post a flyer in the space provided!

CAN is still looking for more volunteer coordinators: 

• River Street 
• Barre Street 
• Cummings Street
• More CAN volunteers in the Downtown (State St from Main to Elm, along Elm up to Spring, from Spring St down Main up to the Shaw’s) 
• Northfield Street College Street South (Kent, Ridge, Foster St area)
•  Additional CAN volunteers for Elm Street (Meadows section)
  
  To get involved with CAN: email MontpelierCAN@gmail.com or call 802-272-1195.

3SquaresVT: You can buy seeds and plants!
3SquaresVT benefits can be used to buy seeds and plants at any retailer that accepts EBT. Growing your own fruits and vegetables can help stretch your food budget. To find out more about 3SquaresVT eligibility or using benefits to buy seeds and plants, visit vermontfoodhelp.com. For help to apply, call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.  

Community Harvest of Central Vermont is Looking for Volunteers
CHCV is looking for volunteers of any age to join us for the coming gleaning season. We know the need for food is not going away any time soon for those that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. You can help feed our community! Interested volunteers can register at https://www.communityharvestvt.org/volunteer and then they will be invited to join all our gleans and other volunteer projects which they can then RSVP to join us as they have time. The majority of our work is outside with plenty of space for distancing and all volunteers wear face coverings as long as the state guidelines last.

Come join our community of committed volunteers that want to make sure ALL have access to the great food local farmers grow and keep any surplus they have from going to waste. Join us in feeding our hungry neighbors nutritious local food while making new friends and visiting beautiful local farms.

In 2020, 276 volunteers donated 2,443 hours and 5,515 miles and through their dedication helped us donate more than 138,000 pounds of nutritious food. 30 organizations received the gleaned and donated food, who collectively serve 11,270 individuals in need in Washington County.

CHCV is an important donor of local, fresh produce to MSAC’s FEAST Senior Meals Program! Register to become a gleaner today: https://www.communityharvestvt.org/volunteer .

Activity Group and Virtual Social Time for Older Vermonters (phone-access friendly) Wednesdays, 2-3pm, free
A new weekly activity group for seniors! In an effort to help stave off feelings of isolation and loneliness, COVID Support VT has created a weekly phone-friendly activity group. You can chat, play games, and connect with others.
Call 2-1-1 and then press #2 with any questions or visit their website for more information: https://covidsupportvt.org/new-weekly-activity-group.../.

Fuel and Food Assistance Available
Vermont seniors may be eligible to receive fuel assistance if your household income is equal or less than 185% of the federal poverty level, regardless of resources. It is possible that people who live in your home will not be in your Fuel Assistance household, such as a caretaker, which means their income will not be counted when determining your eligibility. Visit this site: https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel-assistance, call the State’s benefits center at 1-800-479-6151, or call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 to learn more or get help to apply.