Latest news with #Assistance
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Insurance experts available to help Manitoba residents affected by wildfire
Insurance Bureau of Canada offers helpline for affected residents EDMONTON, AB, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Due to out-of-control wildfires in northern Manitoba, which have forced the evacuation of approximately 17,000 residents and prompted a provincewide state of emergency, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has deployed its Virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion (V-CAMP) to provide insurance information to affected residents. "Our hearts go out to the individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by these fires. We thank all the first responders and emergency officials who have been working so diligently to protect lives and property," said Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific and Western, IBC. "The situation is extremely concerning, and we want to make sure those being evacuated from their homes can easily access the insurance supports they need at this difficult time. Manitoba's insurers are committed to protecting your tomorrow, by standing with you today." IBC is in close contact with provincial government and emergency management officials, as well as with municipal officials in the affected communities. This situation is changing rapidly. Insurers serve as "second responders" in the recovery period after catastrophe strikes. IBC's V-CAMP is staffed with trained insurance industry personnel at IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) and AskIBCWest@ to help address consumers' general questions about their home, business or vehicle insurance policies. This includes questions about Additional Living Expenses for those who have been evacuated. Affected residents can also visit IBC's Wildfires & Insurance webpage to learn more about insurance and the various stages of the claims process. When the Smoke Clears . . . What's Covered? Home insurance policies cover damage caused by fire, even if the fire began on a neighbouring property, as long as the fire was not started intentionally by the policy holder. All standard home insurance policies cover additional living expenses (ALE). If you've been ordered by a civil or provincial authority to leave your home, keep the receipts for your living expenses (for example, hotel costs). Most homeowner's and tenant's insurance policies cover any reasonable additional living expenses for a specified period of time. Ask your insurance representative about the amount of living expenses you're entitled to claim. Tips for Starting the Claims Process Call your insurance representative as soon as possible. Most insurers have a 24-hour claims service. Be as detailed as possible when providing information. When it is safe to do so, list all damaged or destroyed items. If possible, assemble proofs of purchase, photos, receipts and warranties. Take photos of damage incurred and keep damaged items, unless they pose a health hazard. Keep all receipts related to cleanup and living expenses if you've been displaced. Ask your insurance representative about what coverage for expenses you may be entitled to and for what period of time. Seasonal or secondary residences When it is safe to do so, check any seasonal or secondary residences (e.g., cottages) and report any damage to your insurance representative as soon as possible. Policies for these properties may have different coverage or limits than a primary home insurance policy. Review your policy or check with your insurance professional to confirm your coverage. About Insurance Bureau of Canada Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market. As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow. IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses. For media releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help. SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Virudhunagar district administration warns colleges of stringent action if they withhold original certificates of students against their wish
Virudhunagar district administration has warned schools and colleges of stringent action if educational institutions refuse to hand over original certificates to students during the admission season. In a statement, Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan said that the State government was keen on facilitating students who have passed Plus Two examination in joining government institutions of higher education based on their qualifications. Students in the district were applying for admission to more than one educational institutions based on their marks. The Collector pointed out that some of the private educational institutions were collecting the original certificates from the students for admitting them to their institutions. 'The district control room has been receiving complaints from students that some students, who get admission to government colleges and other government institutions of higher education, were being denied their certificates by the private colleges,' the Collector said. He said that the district administration would initiate action against such educational institutions. Students who need any assistance from the district administration on such issues can contact he Educational Assistance Control Room set up at the Collectorate over 86082-04154, he added.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas' request for federal disaster assistance approved after initial denial
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and First Gentleman Bryan Sanders survey storm damage in Cave City on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo by Becca Paschal/Arkansas Governor's Office) President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Arkansas Tuesday after denying the request last month. Federal disaster assistance is available to Arkansans in Green, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties who were affected by severe storms and tornadoes March 14-15, according to a press release issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Tuesday night. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners with their recovery efforts, according to the release. The president issued the disaster declaration after a call with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, according to a statement issued by the governor's office late Tuesday. 'Our entire state is grateful for President Trump's leadership and assistance as we recover from the devastating storms that struck Arkansas earlier this spring,' Sanders said. 'I had a productive conversation with the President in which he expressed his support for our state and I offered my full endorsement of his plans to reform FEMA to save money and provide greater direct assistance to disaster victims.' Arkansas governor seeks federal disaster decree for March 14-15 tornadoes, storms Trump has convened a council to review and recommend 'improvements or structural changes' to FEMA, and suggested the agency might 'go away.' He has also said states would best take care of disasters on their own, with the federal government reimbursing some of the costs. Under Trump, FEMA has denied federal assistance to Arkansas, West Virginia and Washington state, and refused North Carolina's request for extended relief funding following Hurricane Helene, according to Stateline. Sanders requested Major Disaster Relief for Arkansas on April 2. The state received a denial from the federal government regarding Individual Assistance funding through FEMA on April 11, according to the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management. Sanders sent a letter appealing the denial on April 18. 'Arkansas communities are still recovering from this spring's tornadoes, as the sheer magnitude of this event resulted in overwhelming amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the tragic loss of three lives, and injuries to many others,' Sanders said in a statement last month. 'To relieve the burden on these counties, cities, and towns, I am appealing FEMA's decision to deny Arkansas' Major Disaster Declaration request.' Individuals and business owners in the designated counties who sustained losses can apply for assistance by registering online, using the FEMA App or calling 1-800-621-3362. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's how the House plans to cut $300 million from the disability services agency
Thousands of protestors gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol as part of the nationwide "Hands Off" protests condemning several actions of the Trump administration Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) The Minnesota House passed a bill Monday with significant cuts to the Department of Human Services through 2027. DHS programs account for nearly one-third of state spending, and are expected to get more expensive in the coming years due to the aging population and increasing health care costs. Most of the spending is on Medical Assistance, Minnesota's Medicaid program, which allocates more money per participant than nearly any other state. Because DHS is such a large portion of the budget — rivaled only by education — state leaders have targeted the agency for cuts in the coming years to avert a looming deficit. With the House tied 67-67, Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders agreed to find $300 million in savings. The cuts to Medical Assistance come ahead of proposed cuts at the federal level. Because the federal government pays for more than half of Medical Assistance, any federal spending reductions would likely force additional state cuts. Republicans in the U.S. House are prepared to reduce Medicaid spending to pay for tax cuts; Senate Republicans are wary of the move. Party leaders are considering eliminating a tax loophole that allows states, including Minnesota, to get extra Medicaid money from the federal government. The state Senate has not yet passed its DHS budget bill. Any discrepancies between the two budgets must be hashed out in a conference committee and re-passed by both chambers before the session ends on May 19; without a budget by June 30, the government will shut down. House budget cuts spending on services, pushes costs onto counties and federal government The biggest piece of savings in the two year, $17.7 billion DHS budget bill (HF2434) comes from changes to 'rate exceptions,' or higher-than-usual payments to providers who care for people with extraordinary needs. The bill requires extra documentation from providers, and limits what can be considered when determining if a patient and their provider qualify for the exception. The bill also shifts part of the cost of rate exceptions to county governments, which could lead to higher taxes for property owners across the state. Together, the changes would save the state around $200 million in the next budget cycle. The bill would also increase costs on county governments by increasing how much they pay for substance use disorder treatment, and for certain people detained at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program starting in 2027. The budget would limit the inflation adjustments for some Medical Assistance reimbursements to 4% per year, saving $162 million over the next two years, and even more in future years. (Gov. Tim Walz proposed limiting that inflation adjustment to 2% per year.) The move is expected to squeeze providers, as their reimbursements may not keep up with the real cost of providing care. The bill contains a maneuver that would save the state money by pushing costs onto the federal government. It more than doubles the annual per-bed licensing fees for nursing facilities, from $2,815 to $5,900, and also more than doubles one component of the facilities' reimbursement rates. In short: the state would collect licensing fees from the nursing homes, then return it using a mix of state and federal resources. This saves the state $73 million over two years. The budget would also raise licensing fees for home and community-based service providers, substance use disorder treatment centers, and detox and withdrawal facilities. It would also eliminate payments made to providers to cover the cost of unplanned absences, saving around $67 million in the next budget. Medical Assistance currently pays providers the same amount for night supervision duties whether the worker is asleep or awake; the bill would create a new category for 'asleep night supervision,' with lower payouts, saving $23 million over two years. It's not all cuts The House bill codifies raises for nursing home workers set by the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. The new minimum wage for all nursing home workers would be $19 per hour, which would increase to $20.50 per hour starting in 2027. Specialists like certified nurse assistants, trained medication aides and nurses all have higher minimum wages. It also codifies raises for disability services workers as part of a contract agreement with SEIU, the workers' union. The Trump administration is cutting funding for HIV research and prevention efforts, and the House bill would allocate $6 million to community-based HIV/AIDS services providers to replace the lost federal funds. The bill would direct $5.5 million to preventing fraud by autism services providers.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Victims rights advocates receive awards
BOSTON (WWLP) – The state's office for Victim Assistance held an awards ceremony on Monday, honoring advocates who have made significant contributions to advancing victims' rights and services. The Bay State's victim assistance services include shelters for domestic violence victims, training for direct service providers, victim compensation, legal assistance, and more. The attorney general explained the importance of victims' rights services, which have been available as a statewide effort since the 1984 enactment of the Victims Bill of Rights. 'We remain focused on the barriers and the challenges that crime victims are impacted by, and continue to work together to ensure that everyone impacted by crime in the commonwealth has access to support,' said Attorney General Andrea Campbell. Representative Kate Hogan received the legislator of the year award for her work in passing a bill preventing sexual abuse by fraud of medical providers in 2024. 'We're all grateful to the many brave survivors, from the athletes in the headlines, to hopeful parents and very vulnerable patients,' said Hogan. Before this law was passed, medical providers could claim that inappropriate actions were part of legitimate treatment plans, leaving victims without a path forward in the courts. Other awardees included a doctor, a detective, and several advocates, all of whom work to support victims of crimes in Massachusetts. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
