PALawHELP.org News

Social Security to Test Use of Microsoft's HealthVault in Disability Process

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:42:00 EST

Social Security has entered into an agreement with Microsoft to test the use of Microsoft�s HealthVault application in the disability process.�

HealthVault is a free online service that enables people to gather, store and manage their families� health information, and share that information with their physicians and healthcare providers.� These �personal health records� contain the same types of information that Social Security generally obtains from people applying for disability benefits.

Full News Release

PUC Submits Comments on 2010 Proposed State LIHEAP Plan in Advance of Hearing to Solicit Comments on Effects of Proposed Changes

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:27:00 EST

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) filed comments on the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) proposed 2010 state plan in advance of a special en banc hearing to solicit comments on the effects of changes to the LIHEAP program.

The PUC’s comments address the following areas:

LIHEAP Crisis funding during traditional public utility company winter moratorium;
Proposed household income eligibility requirements;
Proposed maximum and minimum limits for Cash and Crisis grants;
Proposed changes regarding the use of LIHEAP funds in utility customer assistance programs; and
The expedited schedule used to finalize the 2010 State Plan.

Full News Release

Immigrants' Rights Update - August 5, 2009

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:22:00 EST

The National Immigration Law Center has published the August 5, 2009 edition of its Immigrants' Rights Update newsletter. It is available on their website at the link.

Immigrants' Rights Update

New HEMAP Help Center Brochure from RHLS

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EST

Regional Housing Legal Services has produced a new brochure entitled, Avoiding Foreclosure: How to Reduce the Risk of Losing Your Home, explaining the operation of the the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) Help Center.

This brochure is available on PALawHELP.org in the materials under the Mortgage Foreclosure subtopic or directly at the link below.

View Avoiding Foreclosure: How to Reduce the Risk of Losing Your Home

SSA Issues Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing regarding Social Security's policy on "Fleeing Felons" and Outstanding Arrest Warrants

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:14:00 EST

The Social Security Administration has issues a notice about a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit challenging SSA's policy denying payment of benefits on the basis of an outstanding felony arrest warrant.

The notice has three purposes:

1) to tell you about the proposed settlement and the fairness hearing;

2) to tell you how to obtain more information, including a copy of the full proposed settlement agreement; and

3) to explain how you may object to the proposed settlement if you disagree with it.

You may be affected by the settlement if your SSI, SVB, or Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits have been suspended or denied, or you are threatened with the suspension or denial of these benefits, based on an outstanding felony arrest warrant. If you were not permitted to serve as a representative payee for this same reason, you may also be in the Settlement Class.

For more information on the details of the settlement and how to participate in the settlement of the case please visit the link below:

Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and Fairness Hearing

Why Are PA Town Hall Meetings on Health Care Losing Control?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:28:00 EST

Recent town hall meetings held by elected officials to discuss health care reform have turned into free-for-alls, with politicians and proponents being shouted down by those who say government has no role in the matter.

Read and Listen to the article

HUD Secretary Donovan Announces New FHA-Making Home Affordable Loan Modification Guidelines

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST

New FHA guidelines projected to help thousands avoid foreclosure per year

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan has announced the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has implemented changes to its loan modification program to ensure consistency with the Obama Administration's Home Affordable Modification Program.

By August 15, FHA borrowers will be able to significantly reduce their monthly mortgage payments by seeking a loan modification through their current mortgage company or loan servicer under the new FHA-Home Affordable Modification Program (FHA-HAMP).

"Today, we're bringing another important tool to the table to help struggling families who are desperate to keep their homes," said Donovan. "Tens of thousands of FHA borrowers will now be able to modify their mortgages in the same manner as so many others who are taking advantage of the Administration''s Making Home Affordable program. This is just the latest tool we are providing to help homeowners prevent foreclosures through the Making Home Affordable program. Earlier this month we announced an expansion of the Home Affordable Refinance Program to borrowers who are up to 125 percent underwater. Together, these actions will significantly increase the help available to homeowners."

The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, signed into law on May 20, allows FHA to give qualified FHA-insured borrowers the opportunity to reduce their monthly mortgage payment by modifying the mortgage through FHA-HAMP.

FHA announcement signaled the release of�the program's implementation guidelines. FHA expects all servicers to implement the changes by August 15.

The program permanently reduces a family's monthly mortgage payment through the use of a partial claim, which defers the repayment of mortgage principal through an interest-free subordinate mortgage that is not due until the first mortgage is paid off.

FHA has used the partial claim option in the past, which allows a lender to advance funds on behalf of a borrower, to reinstate a delinquent loan that was up to 12 months delinquent. Now, this program will allow HUD to bring the borrower's payment down to an affordable level. This will be accomplished by bringing the mortgage current, buying down the loan by up to 30 percent of the unpaid principal balance and deferring these amounts in a partial claim.

FHA will pay an incentive to loan servicers for each FHA loan modified under this program. A Mortgagee Letter, along with detailed requirements for the FHA-Home Affordable Modification Program, was distributed to all FHA lenders.�

The implementation of this program will further the Obama Administration's efforts to stabilize the housing market by helping homeowners to stay current on their mortgages and stay in their homes, therefore preventing the destructive impact of foreclosures on families and communities.

Making Home Affordable, a comprehensive plan to stabilize the U.S. housing market, was first announced by the Obama Administration on February 18. More than 200,000 trial loan modifications are already underway, tens of thousands of refinancings have closed, and informational mailings about the program have been sent to more than one million borrowers who may be eligible.

FHA borrowers who are experiencing difficulty making their mortgage payments should contact their loan servicer or HUD's National Servicing Center at (888) 297-8685 to determine if they qualify for the FHA-Home Affordable Modification Program. The Mortgagee Letter, with detailed information about the program, is available on the HUD website.

Non-FHA borrowers can find information about the Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable program at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov.