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Physical Disabilities & Aging

On October 27, 2020, the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) notified all providers that interim reporting of COVID-19 related costs under Act 24 would be due on November 6, 2020. Because of unforeseen delays in web portal user provisioning for OLTL providers and recognition that this delay may not allow enough time for providers to gather and report their data, OLTL has changed its reporting requirements. There will be no interim report required of non-nursing facility providers. In preparation for final reporting on the use of Act 24 funding, now due December 21, 2020, OLTL recommends that providers begin to populate the applicable Excel reporting template now.

OLTL will offer a webinar to give non-nursing facility providers a chance to ask questions about reporting COVID-19 related costs under Act 24. Information about the webinar, including date and time, will be issued in the near future.

As a reminder, providers are advised to review the guidance for eligible COVID-19 costs in DHS’s Frequently Asked Questions and on the following US Department of Treasury websites: Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Guidance and Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Frequently-Asked-Questions. These documents outline the conditions and acceptable uses of Cares Act and Act 24 funding. Most importantly, the deadline by which costs must be incurred to be eligible under Act 24 is November 30, 2020.

Any provider who does not expect to use all or part of the Act 24 funding may return the funds to OLTL at:

PA Department of Human Services
Office of Long-Term Living

PO Box 8025

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8025

Please send any remaining questions about OLTL Act 24 reporting here.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released updated Provider Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for phase 3 of the general distribution of provider funds. The document includes updated questions and answers. It also includes information on corrections of data entered by recipients after application submission, use of funds for salaries and employment compensation, reporting the calculation of lost revenues attributable to COVID-19, and defining the term “health care related expenses.”

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.  To celebrate, the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is hosting its sixth annual photo contest. They want you to Show Us Your Tech for a chance to win $500! Assistive technology doesn’t have to be complex or expensive to make a difference in your life.

Do you have a disability or health condition?

Then you’re most likely using assistive technology! It could be:

  • An Amazon Echo to control the lights, fan, and TV independently;
  • A piece of farm equipment to continue to do the work you love;
  • A hearing aid to spend quality time with your grandchildren; or
  • A grab bar next to the pantry to steady yourself while picking out ingredients for dinner.

This contest is open to US residents of all ages.

What kind of assistive technology are you using to do the things you want to do?

Upload a photo of YOU using your assistive technology and write about it in the caption. Get your friends to vote for your photo for a chance to win up to $500!

Entries and voting are open from November 1 through November 30. Winners will be announced on December 4 by 12 pm.

Learn more about the contest here. To spread word about the contest to other communities, use the media toolkit.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Service (CMS) are hosting a webinar discussing the experiences of home and community-based services payers and providers in altering their service delivery models in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Presenters will also discuss how they have addressed social determinants of health (SDOH). This webinar is part of a monthly webinar series highlighting Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) promising practices.

This webinar will be held on Thursday, November 12 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET.

Click here to register

Phase 3 of the Department of Health and Human Services Provider Relief Fund closes NEXT Friday, November 6.  The HHS Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has created a sheet describing the program and will host a webinar on Monday, November 2 at 3:00 pm Eastern.  Disability service providers are eligible for lost revenue and expenses due to COVID-19 even if they have received a previous payment from the fund.