NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

EVICTION DIVERSION: In light of Pennsylvania’s eviction moratorium expiring Aug. 31, COunty Executive Lamont McClure reminds residents that Northampton County has approximately $3.6 million available for rental assistance, rapid rehousing and utility payments. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Community and Economic Development, worked together to develop the Community Mediation and Eviction Diversion Program (CMED). CMED offers experienced mediators, emergency financial assistance and rapid rehousing to prevent homelessness.

Contact Information:

For residents who live in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township, contact:

· New Bethany Ministries at 610-691-5602 x213.

For residents who are 14 days or less away from losing their residence and have either a Notice to Quit or a Lockout Order Notice:

· Call 211 to be connected to the Northampton County Tenant Eviction Assistance program seeking rental assistance.

GRACEDALE: Nursing Home Administrator Jennifer Stewart-King reports that Gracedale has received testing guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and will begin testing all staff on the second full week of each month.

“This plan for aggressive testing is extremely important,” says McClure. “It’s almost as important as wearing your mask, and covering your nose with said mask, either inside or outside of the facility.”

CMS released the guidelines for COVID-19 testing at Long-term Care Facilities Aug. 25.

“The monthly COVID-19 tests will enhance efforts to keep the virus from entering and spreading through the nursing home,” says Jennifer Stewart-King. “Staff will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms every day, including having their temperatures checked.”

PENNSYLVANIA

DISASTER DECLARATION: Governor Tom Wolf signed a second renewal of his 90-day disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic Aug. 31. He originally signed it March 6, following the announcement of the first two presumptive positive cases of the virus in the commonwealth.

The emergency disaster declaration provides for increased support to state agencies involved in the continued response to the virus and recovery for the state during reopening. This includes expediting supply procurement and lifting certain regulations to allow for efficient and effective mitigation.

PENNDOT: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts, expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents through Sept. 30, 2020. Expiration extension deadlines on non-commercial driver license, photo identification cards, learner’s permits and camera cards will expire Aug. 31.

Effective Aug. 31, the following products’ expiration dates will be extended:

• Commercial learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020;

• Commercial driver licenses scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020; and

• Hazardous Materials Endorsements (HME) for individuals who are a Pennsylvania-licensed commercial driver’s license holder and who held a valid, unexpired HME with a determination of no security threat on or after March 6, 2020.

PLCB ENFORCEMENT: Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Officers visited 1,149 licensed liquor establishments from Wednesday, Sept. 2 through Thursday, Sept. 3 to ensure businesses are abiding by COVID-19 mitigation requirements that include social distancing, masking, and other health and safety requirements of the liquor code.

Liquor Control Enforcement Officers issued five notices of violation and 28 warnings for failing to follow COVID-19 requirements.

Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 mitigation mandates may be directed to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported through the BLCE’s online complaint form.

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF: Pennsylvania will complete implementation of the federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program ahead of schedule and begin making payments to eligible individuals Sept. 10, 2020. Individuals who apply and qualify will begin receiving their payments as early as Monday, Sept. 14, 2020.

The federal government requires that only individuals who are fully or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 disruptions may apply for this benefit. To qualify for the extra $300, the LWA program also requires that eligible individuals must have a benefit rate and dependence allowance totaling $100 or more per week in benefits, and must receive a benefit payment for each week from a qualifying programs.

Beginning after 6 a.m. Sept. 6, 2020, claimants who need to complete the certification process should visit www.uc.pa.gov/cert and log in using their PIN as if they are filing a biweekly claim.

For updates on the LWA program, visit www.uc.pa.gov or follow L&I on Facebook or Twitter