Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Category: Advocacy

  • ACA Open Enrollment 11/01/18 – 12/15/18

    The Open Enrollment Period under the Affordable Care Act is from November 1 to Friday, December 15. Families in need of health coverage can sign up at HealthCare.gov.

    The state of New Jersey recently launched a Get Covered NJ website to help people enroll. The site includes information about plan options, financial assistance and contact information for New Jersey consumers who want help to get covered.

    As part of the outreach campaign, the state is also working with five community organizations to support enrollment efforts. These organizations are providing application assistance and conducting outreach events. The organizations are:

    • Center for Family Services – 877-922-2377
    • The Family Resource Network – 800-355-0271
    • Oranges ACA Navigator Project – 973-500-6031
    • Fulfill | Monmouth & Ocean – 732-918-2600 or 732-731-1400
    • Urban League of Hudson County – 201-451-8888, ext. 217

    New Jerseyans can also call 877-9-NAVIG8 (877-962-8448) to talk about health insurance options and get help enrolling.

  • Living Near Poverty

    Most people don’t see poverty on a regular basis. It’s often out of site and out of mind. The other day a timely report was issued about families living near poverty. The numbers are astounding.

    A news story was published yesterday in the New Jersey Herald by reporter Jennifer Jean Miller. It is titled, Report: 23 percent in county struggle but not in poverty. Before reading the article think of the phrases we often use to describe unfavorable life situations, “trying to make ends meet” or “struggling to get by”. Think of those who work two or three jobs.

    For additional information visit the ALICE in New Jersey page of the United Way of Northern New Jersey. ALICE = Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. You can download the full 2018 New Jersey ALICE report.

    November 6 is Election Day. Make your voice heard. Be a voter.

  • Citizenship Question Threatens 2020 Census

    The Trump Administration is attempting to weaken another American tradition – the U.S. Census. A scheme has been proposed that would add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. The addition of this question will undermine the integrity of the Census Bureau. The inclusion of such a controversial question would have the effect of: 1) scaring certain members of local communities from participating in the Census, 2) threatening the flow of federal dollars to states and localities, and 3) cause an inaccurate and incomplete count of all person living in the United States.

    The Commerce Department is currently accepting public comment on their Census plans. However, written comments must be submitted on or before August 7, 2018. Everyone should be counted. Let your voice be heard.

    Take action and tell the U.S. Department of Commerce to remove the citizenship question from the 2020 Census.

    Individual email comments may be sent to PRAcomments@doc.gov under Subject: “Comments for USBC-2018-0005-0001”. To read the full request for comments visit regulations.gov portal.

    Note: The above email form is presented under the leadership of the League of Women Voters of the US. Thank you LWV.

    Comment period ends August 7.