Stop Loss Reimbursements

Active duty troops and veterans whose service in Iraq or Afghanistan was involuntarily extended or retirement was suspended due to ‘stop loss' are eligible to apply for the special retroactive pay to which they are entitled.Under legislation President Obama signed into law last year, servicemen and women who served between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 and whose service was extended due to ‘stop loss' are eligible for $500 per month in retroactive pay for each month their service was extended.

Eligible servicemen and women should submit their applications for this retroactive pay to www.defense.gov/stoploss. While by law, service members who received a bonus for voluntarily reenlisting or extending their service are not eligible, it is strongly recommended that all who may be eligible submit an application before the deadline.  The deadline to apply is October 21, 2010.  The tens of thousands of veterans who have already been approved have received an average of nearly $4,000.

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Take Back the Bridge

Concerned neighbors, businesses, the local crisis clinic, and churches are joining together to continue the fight to stop a deadly trend in Seattle: suicide attempts from the Aurora Bridge and city at large. “Take Back the Bridge” will feature two events open to the public: a march from 40th & Whitman in Wallingford over the bridge to raise money for the Crisis Clinic, and a 24- hour prayer vigil. “The Crisis Clinic is pleased to partner with The Vine Christian Ministries church on this important project,” says Kathleen Southwick, Executive Director. “This event brings awareness and hope to this tragic issue. Our 24-Hour Crisis Line offers immediate help to those in emotional crisis or thinking of suicide. We want to remind people that there is a place to turn to for help.”

24 Hour Prayer Vigil - October 8-9, 2010
Prayer Vigil on the Aurora Bridge from 11:00am to 11:00am to pray for hope and restoration in our neighborhoods and the city at large. Individuals and groups are encouraged to sign up for one hour time slots at www.takebackthebridge.org.

Bring Hope to Our Community March - October 9, 2010
Approximately two mile group walk over the Aurora Bridge. Begins at the corner of 40th and Whitman (Wallingford) at 12:00pm. $20 registration fee includes an event t-shirt. Proceeds benefit Crisis Clinic. Register at www.takebackthebridge.org. There will be opening remarks at the onset.

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Free Phones for Qualified Residents!

Safelink, the prepaid mobile phone Lifeline offering from Tracfone, is now available in Washington state.
All plans include a free phone, voice mail, caller ID and call waiting, and come in three service options:

• 250 free minutes/month (no carryover to next month, no International long distance, text messages cost 1 minute/text)
• 125 free minutes/month (unused minutes carryover to next month, text messages cost 1 minute/text)
• 68 free minutes/month (unused minutes carryover to next month, 3 texts equal one minute of talk time, International long distance to 100+ countries)

Lifeline-eligible clients live in Washington state and participate in any of the following programs:

• Medicaid (not Medicare)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance 
• Food Stamps
• National School Lunch Program
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)

Additional qualifying criteria that can be accessed on the Safelink web site.

Clients can either visit the to complete an online application, or they can have an application form sent to them by mail or fax. Safelink will compensate agencies that sign their clients up for the service (from $2/approval for 0-60 enrollments per quarter, to a max of $10/approved enrollment for 185+ enrollments/quarter). You must agree to only partner with Safelink and no other Lifeline company. Clients who are otherwise eligible may not be able to get a phone if they don't have a unique residential mailing address. During the application process, the mailing address is checked against a database of other applicants, and if someone has already applied from that address, the application will be turned down. If a client already has a Lifeline phone (landline or cell service), they can't receive a Safelink phone without cancelling the other phone. You may only receive one Lifeline benefit.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

During the month of October, the Attorney General's Office will join others statewide in displaying purple lights to remember victims who lost their lives, support survivors and symbolize hope for those still living with abuse.

The Purple Light Nights campaign was started by the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force in 2007. The campaign, which has spread to at least 20 states and Canada, encourages residents and businesses to display a 60-watt or stronger black-light bulb or purple string lights on their porches, in store windows or in other prominent locations.

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Critical Resource Updates 

• Mary's Place has moved to 314 Bell St, Seattle. New hours are M-F, 8:30am-4pm.
  

• Catholic Community Services' housing case management program Access to Success program has a new Screening line number. The new screening line is (253) 850-2507.

• Solanus Casey Center has access to gas vouchers for work/medical purposes. They also have access to prescription vouchers.

• Bread of Life Mission just started operating a day shelter this week. It's co-ed (no children). They've also expanded their lunch to five days per week.

• Due to budget cuts, the income limit for Working Connections Child Care subsidies through DSHS has been reduced from 200% of the Federal Poverty Level to 175%. Changes will go into affect as clients renew their authorization or submit new requests after Oct. 1, 2010.

• PSE HELP is now available at Hopelink locations throughout King County, as well through CAMP. Multi-Service Centers anticipate providing PSE HELP assistance soon. LIHEAP is expected to pass through Congress soon and funds should be released to agencies sometime in early December.

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October and November Resources
This column highlights timely resources in the community information database that might otherwise go unnoticed by our users. It is always recommended to check Community Resources Online for additional information and for the most current information concerning the

October Resources

• Solid Ground Volunteers, many who are homebound, knit or crochet handmade hats, scarves, mittens, and baby items for homeless people in King County. Approximately 3,000 items are made annually. Volunteers who want to make clothing are asked to call or visit the office. Finished clothing is given to shelters and agencies in the community. Agencies should inquire in October about application and distribution dates (usually November-December) every year.

• University of Washington student-staffed law clinics provide legal assistance in areas such as federal taxes, mediation, small business and exonerations. Clinic hours vary. Services offered from October through May. Screening for assistance is provided through 2-1-1.

• King County's Winter Response Shelter Provides 50 seasonal shelter beds for men in the fall and winter. Shelter is open every night, and generally available mid-October through March of the following year, with no connection to weather forecast. No meal, hygiene or daytime storage services are provided. Shelter is operated by staff from the Salvation Army - William Booth Center and is located at the King County Administration Building.

• YWCA of Seattle/King County/Snohomish County - Angeline's Center for Homeless Women provides 40 seasonal shelter beds for women, October through end of March. Shelter is open every night during this season, with no connection to weather forecast. Operates in partnership with King County.

November Resources

• Puget Sound Energy - Natural Gas/Electric Services offers a winter disconnection moratorium from November 15 to March 15, allowing customers avoid disconnection by setting up a bill payment plan. Customers must provide written notice of inability to pay within five business days of late notice (unless there are extenuating circumstances) and follow detailed application process. Customers with a verified medical emergency, including dependency on a life support system, may apply for a 30-day extension of current electric or natural gas bill.

• Plan ahead for the holidays! Crisis Clinic's full list of holiday resources will be available in November, however some agencies have already updated with us. Information and Referral Specialist will be happy to provide information about food and gift programs if they are available in your area, and we encourage you to call back in November to receive additional referrals. Programs fill up early so it's important to contact agencies as soon as possible.

Crisis Clinic offers a variety of products to help connect people with critical resources. Information about purchasing Crisis Clinic's Where to Turn Directories, Where to Turn CD-ROMs, customized reports, customized mailing labels and holiday lists can be found online by clicking here.

Crisis Clinic respects the privacy of our Web site users.

For business purposes, please e-mail us at ResourceCenter@CrisisClinic.org or call us at (206) 461-3210. http://www.CrisisClinic.org

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