Month: March 2017

Post-TANF Transportation Programs

Transportation assistance is available as a Post-TANF benefit for those leaving welfare due to employment. These programs are: “Get A Job, Get A Ride” and the “Extended Workpass”.

The completed “Get A Job, Get A Ride” application is mailed to New Jersey Transit who will issue a free one month two-zone monthly bus pass or rail pass. A person wishing to apply for the “Extended Workpass” must provide their county welfare agency with monthly pay stubs. This program provides free passes for a six month period. If eligible, the county welfare agency will issue the participant a two party check to be taken to the nearest NJ Transit ticket agent.

Please note that any individual whose case closed within the past 24 months, if now employed, may be eligible for up to six months of transportation if he or she can provide proof of current employment.

Contact a Work First New Jersey case manager for details. You can download the “Get A Job, Get A Ride” and “Extended Workpass” Enrollment Form here.

Additional information and links on welfare regulations and benefits are available online, including:

Creating a ‘my Social Security’ Account

The Social Security Administration offers a personal online service that allows you to estimate, plan and manage your benefits. This article provides information on how to create an account, some plusses and minuses and a few links.

There are a few requirements. You must have 1) a valid email address; 2) a social security number; 3) a U.S. mailing address; and 4) be at least eighteen years of age. If you do not have an email account you can easily obtain one through such free services as Google, Outlook or Yahoo.

To start the process, visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount and click the button labeled ‘Sign In or Create an Account.’ You will be required to provide personal information so as to verify your identity. You must choose a username and password to establish and access your new account.

There are a number of features to ‘my Social Security’ that give you fast service when you need it. If you are applying for other benefits – for example, an application for heating assistance or SNAP (formerly food stamps) you can print out a benefit statement without having to wait for Social Security to mail it to you. You can even save the benefit statement and email it as an attachment! A downside to using the service is that it should be used by a single individual, not to be used by another person on your behalf, so Social Security officials indicate. You also can’t use another person’s email address, for security reasons.

This online service has many advantages to individuals, to the Social Security Administration and even to other governmental agencies that administer safety net programs. To learn more, visit my Social Security: How To Create An Online Account
and watch a video. A training video is also available for social service agencies. Representatives from Social Security are available at 800-772-1213, if there are problems setting up an account.

Resources For The Resistance

Since November millions of Americans have become involved in the political process, some for the first time in their lives. A large number have been attending events on the local level on a regular basis, myself included. The purpose of this article is to provide a number of resources available online so you can become involved or learn more of the issues.

Websites and email lists that have been brought to my attention are:

  • Building Channels for Change. This website has a tagline, “connecting people for causes in Philadelphia”. If you want to “more easily connect with progressive organizations” you should check their calendar first.
  • Nation Forward is a hub for local groups in Southeast Pennsylvania to post information. It has a number of web pages including: Issues, Action Alerts, Turning PA Blue, Indivisible and Resistance Reading.
  • Town Hall Project lets you know when and where members of Congress will be holding Town Hall meetings.
  • Resources for Resistance has been described as “an amazing document with links to a ton of resources.” No use trying to reinvent the wheel.
  • Rogan’s List: Today’s “To-do” List is a wonderful blog written daily by Susan Rogan, a retired university librarian. If your agenda is to make at least one call a day this is the source to consult everyday. Almost as inspiring as grandchildren.

An example of the valuable information available from the sites and resources above: Four days after the presidential inauguration (sorry, I don’t like using his formal name) Rogan’s List publicized both the White House switchboard phone number, 202-456-1414, and the White House comment line, 202-456-1111. The comment line had been shutdown but due to pressure it is again operational, but only during the hours of 9am to 4pm (eastern time).

For other Philadelphia area Resistance groups see my blog article of January 30th or use the shortlink: http://wp.me/pX1YJ-aV.

Make your voice heard. Daily.