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SNAP/Food Stamps Legal Help Hotline: The Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) has launched a hotline to provide free legal help for Maryland families in order to get and keep their SNAP benefits. HPRP has created flyers in English and Spanish with more information.
Fuel Fund: For those who need help with their energy bills and have already used OHEP or are over income for OHEP, Fuel Fund may be another option. The Fuel Fund of Maryland assists income eligible BGE customers with paying their utility bills after they complete OHEP (the person has received receipt of grants or has been denied for over income). They have recently instituted some new rules that impact process and eligibility to effectively respond to the pandemic.
1. Waived the need for a turn off notice through 6/30/2021.
2. Waived the need for seniors (age 60+) to complete OHEP before getting assistance from the Fuel Fund of Maryland through
6/30/2021. They will mail the consumer an OHEP application as needed.
Bulk Fuel Assistance: The Fuel Fund of Maryland helps with bulk fuel assistance for the entire state, see the attachment. For more information about the Fuel Fund or to apply for help, visit their website to fill out an application or call 410-235-9080 for assistance.
Saving Money on Energy Costs: The Department of Energy has information on how to save money on energy costs in your home. Many of the strategies are free, while others might be inexpensive actions you can take to maximize savings during the winter months.
Weatherization: The Maryland Department of Housing andCommunity Development offers programs that provide homeowners of all income levels with resources to improve their home’s energy efficiency. Their programs can help with insulation, hot water system improvements, furnace repair or replacement, renewable energy systems, and other health and safety enhancement. Click here to check out all of their weatherization programs.
Energy Assistance Toolkit: The Office of People's Counsel has created an energy assistance toolkit to help Maryland households facing utility turn-off notices keep their power on. This toolkit includes videos on how to fill out the Office of Home Energy Programs application, application forms, and resource guides.
Cold Weather Shelter: During the cold winter months many counties open up extra shelter space based on temperatures. For up-to-date information about sheltering and warming locations in your area you can call 211MD by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-492-0618.
Check out our website for other resources.
-Be well.
Department: Environmental Engineering
Program: Environmental Engineering (Ph.D.)
Previous Graduate Study:
2017, M.S. Technological and Environmental Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil
2012, B.S. Industrial Chemistry, University of Panama
What are some of the benefits of being part of the graduate community at UMBC?
"Graduate community at UMBC is diverse and supportive. I like the fact that UMBC has different student associations which allow you to learn about other cultures and countries." - Jahir
On behave of Aniket, everyone involved in GEARS and the GSA, we once again congratulate you Jahir and all of our wonderful contestants!
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Dear Student Leaders,
As you know, Monday, January 18, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is not only intended to commemorate the accomplishments of a national hero but also to mark a day of service. MLK Day is a day to connect to our communities and to give back.
It would be hard to imagine a more challenging and difficult moment in our history. We are taking this opportunity to offer some ways you might honor Dr. King’s memory and legacy.
Reviewing and/or participating in Americans of Conscience activities
Social Justice Volunteer Opportunities in the area
Joining the Inauguration Day of Dialogue
We stand at a most critical and significant moment in American history. What we do, what we say, what we think and believe matters. It is particularly appropriate for all of us to appreciate and reflect on the best role models our American history has to offer.
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
Update on Library Services for Spring 2021
Updated 1/12/2021
The Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery will provide virtual and contactless services for the Spring 2021 semester. The Library and Gallery building will remain closed to users to ensure the safety of our staff and community.
We will continue to offer the following services and resources for our users:
Virtual research appointments and “Ask a Librarian” chat service with our Subject Librarians and Archivists.
Virtual information literacy and library instruction sessions and research workshops. Please contact a Subject Librarian to discuss your instructional goals and options for how to reach them. Use the Instruction Request Form to schedule a session for your class, or request a Special Collections Instruction session.
A robust collection of electronic resources, including ebooks, databases, journals, research guides, and more, all available from your device. Get started with this guide.
Purchasing additional electronic books and streaming media. Contact your Subject Librarian or send a request directly to libraryacq@umbc.edu.
Providing electronic Course Reserves, with scans of book chapters, journal articles, and archival materials from UMBC Library collections. Visit this page for information on how to submit your requests via Blackboard.
Scanning of book chapters, journal articles, and archival materials from UMBC library collections, as well as purchasing individual journal articles, all for electronic delivery. Submit your request via Interlibrary Loan. Chapter and article delivery from partner libraries may vary as conditions change.
Contactless checkout and return of books and media, including physical library materials from UMBC and, to as great an extent as possible, from our library partners in the University of Maryland System. Learn more about how to place a request or view a map of book return bin locations on campus.
Interlibrary borrowing for books and media from partners outside of USM will continue and/or resume as conditions permit.
Contactless checkout and return of digital media equipment, laptops, and accessories. Details available at the main curbside pickup page.
We’ve added a Virtual Study Room where you can work alongside fellow Retrievers for a focused study environment
For up to date information on our services and resources, consult the Library & Gallery website or our myUMBC page.
]]>Good morning,
Governor Hogan renewed the State of Emergency on December 23, 2020. You can read the Proclamation here.
Economic Impact Payments: Legislation enacted on December 27, 2020, provides that the new stimulus payments to individuals will not be withheld to pay federal debts or to pay state child support enforcement orders and cannot be garnished by debt collectors.
Health Insurance Open Enrollment: Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Hogan announced Monday that the state’s special health insurance enrollment period will be reopened in January and extended through mid-March 2021. Eligible residents who did not participate in the state’s extended special enrollment period in 2020 may now opt-in to Medicaid or private health coverage plans through the Maryland Health Connection.
To enroll in health insurance through the marketplace:
1) Go online to MarylandHealthConnection.gov
2) Call 1-855-642-8572 to speak to someone who will walk you through this process.
Student Loans: The automatic suspension of principal and interest payments on federally held student loans has been extended and will expire on January 31, 2021.
Lifeline: Lifeline is a federal program that provides discounts for limited income consumers on their telephone and internet services. In Maryland the program is called Tel‐Life. See the attachment to learn more about Lifeline services and how to apply. As the program phases out monthly support for voice only in favor of broadband support, beginning December 1, 2020 Lifeline has lowered the voice-only support to $5.25.
Training: If you would like the Office of People's Counsel to provide free training to your organization on the current state of utilities, in depth look at OHEP applications, or little known utility consumer protections please feel free to reach out to me and we can discuss your agency needs.
If you are struggling to pay your utility bill there may be resources available to help.
- Office of Home Energy Programs
- Office of People’s Counsel Community Resource Guides
- Call 2-1-1 for information about other financial assistance resources in your community
This survey is designed to assess the level of food insecurity and basic need issues among the UMBC students, faculty, and staff. Your responses will help the research team in advocating for an increased food access and housing security for vulnerable members of the UMBC community. The survey takes about 3 to 7 minutes. All responses will be anonymously recorded. Your participation is completely voluntary. Please DO NOT type your name or UMBC ID anywhere. If you are under the age of 18 years, you are not eligible to complete the survey. By opening the survey, you consent to participate in this study.
Should you have any questions about the project or your rights as a participant in this project, please contact Fariha Khalid (Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health) at fariha1@umbc.edu or the UMBC Office of Research Protections and Compliance at 410-455-2737 or compliance@umbc.edu.
Survey Link: https://retrieveressentials.umbc.edu/survey-2/