James Sánchez

The United Way has launched a new program to help deal with a spike in homelessness across our state. I'll break down how the initiative is designed to help people find shelter before the coldest months of the year.

A new scam including Publisher's Clearing House is becoming prevalent and targeting older adults. Keep scrolling for some tips to avoid becoming a victim.

The state's new discount prescription drug program has been up and running for two months. Please read below to find out how you can save on medication and how many people in your community have already registered!

These are the sections in today's email:

• New Program to Fight Homelessness
• Scam Alert For Seniors
• Discount Prescription Drug Program Enrollment Update

The Central and Northeastern Connecticut United Way is launching a program to provide valuable assistance. The initiative is called the “Rapid Response Fund,” and it contains $100,000 for 52 communities to help with basic needs for those who need it most.

The goal of the housing and homelessness campaign is to keep folks in stable housing and find shelter for individuals who do not have a place to stay. According to organizers, the fund will help people who can’t afford something as simple as an application fee, a security deposit, or a utility bill.

Heads up! These scam calls, typically targeting seniors, seem to be popping up again. Help me spread the word with these reminders:

If you have to pay money to get money - it is a scam!
If it is too good to be true - reach out to a trusted source before acting. 
You always have time to verify - do not let them take that away from you. 
If they insist that you need to pay now, end the conversation by hanging up.

The threat is real. I was the target of fraudulent phone calls as well as texts and nearly became a victim. The scammers pretended to be from my bank and sounded professional. They are very convincing and can easily trick unsuspecting people. The key takeaway is to not provide any personal information and to hang up immediately. You may also want to contact your bank directly to make sure your accounts are in good order.

More than 12,000 Connecticut residents have signed up for the state’s prescription drug discount program called ArrayRx. Registration started about two months ago after my colleagues and I voted this program into law.

Those who sign up, including those on Medicare, will receive a free Rx card with savings up to 80% on generics. All FDA approved prescriptions are included. This program is a tool to deal with the dramatic rise in the cost of prescription drugs.