“If we don't educate our children, we won't have to worry about our future, because there won't be one!”

Greetings Constituents and Friends:

With pleasure I welcome you to the 24th Legislative District website. I am pleased to be your Senator as we continue to “raise the bar” of prosperity.

Our goal is to keep you informed regarding those issues which impact our community and state. If you wish to share your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In addition, I am available to visit your meetings to provide information or assist with any problems you may have.

You may contact my office at 301-858-3148 or by emailing me at joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us. Thanks for your unwavering support and attention.

Yours truly,

Joanne C. Benson

END OF SESSION LETTER

Dear Faithful Constituent and Friends:

On Monday, April 12th at midnight, the Maryland General Assembly concluded its 442nd Legislative Session. It was very historic and highly unusual. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the way we did business. We had to wash our hands consistently, wear our masks, and practice safe distancing. All committee assignments and special meetings had to be conducted virtually. We Zoomed morning, noon and night. However, all voting matters required us to convene. We were very sensitive to public input which meant all meetings and voting sessions were streamed. What was missing were the lobbyists who frequented our offices and hallways. We successfully passed many pieces of legislation which will positively impact our county and the state of Maryland. I want to call to your attention several important initiatives which were accomplished.

Food Pantries in Prince George’s Maryland

Food pantries and distribution centers in Prince George’s County Maryland administer several assistance programs. The locations may have meals, free food, gift baskets and items such as clothing available to the low income seniors and disabled in the community. Resources offered by these centers can range from groceries and boxes of food up through limited amounts of financial help for bills, housing, or basic needs such as diapers or baby formula.

Pepco Customers Must Act Now!

Pepco Says Customers Must Act Now as Millions of Dollars in Assistance Funds Remain to Help Pay Energy Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 1, 2021) – With millions of dollars in assistance funding available for customers who may be struggling to pay their energy bill, Pepco says customers need to act now to secure these essential funds while they last. Pepco understands the ongoing challenges customers are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is committed to helping every customer meet their energy needs.

Pepco works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP provides grants in varying amounts based on a household's income size, type of fuel, and type of dwelling, with no pay back required. Customers who may have never qualified for energy assistance may now qualify based on their current financial situation. Customers in Maryland could qualify for more than $1,000 in assistance, and customers in the District of Columbia could secure $1,800 in assistance just through LIHEAP alone.

You may be eligible to apply for utility bill assistance through the State Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP). Click here to see current income guidelines.

Apply online at mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us
Apply by Phone: Call 1-800-332-6347 Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm if you need help with an application by phone.
Apply by Mail: No internet access? Call 1-800-332-6347 Mon-Fri, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm to request an application by mail.

NOTE: This information was prepared by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel. Contact: dlinfo_opd@maryland.gov for questions or visit www.opc.maryland.gov for more updates on utilities and resources.

What If You Or Someone You Love Is On The Path To Diabetes?

Then it's time to PARTNER UP with Vibrant Health & Wellness Foundation to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes PreventT2, a diabetes prevention program, offers a free opportunity to participate in a yearlong program to help you, with a partner, make positive life changes, improve your health, and prevent type 2 diabetes. For more information, please visit our website at https://vhwf.org or download the flyer.

Get Help With Your Taxes

If you made $57,000 or less in 2020 you may qualify for FREE tax preparation! CASH is an IRS program that has new and safe ways for you to file taxes for free. Learn More HERE

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic there is a limited number of free tax prep appointments available this year. Wait times to reach our scheduling line may be unusually long and we understand this is frustrating. We are working to add more appointments as soon as we can. We want our clients to be assured we remain committed to delivering them the best services possible, as safely as possible. Our clients still remain our first priority.

You MUST have an appointment to receive our free services. Start by calling 410-234-8008 M-F 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, then choose between our Virtual or Drop-Off tax prep services.

Black History Month

‘A triumph of hope’: Maryland leaders welcome home man sentence at age 15 - The Washington Post

Rachel Chason - Monday, July 8th 2019

Curtis Brooks had been out of prison in Colorado for one week when he arrived at a church in suburban Maryland on Monday, doling out hugs and posing for pictures with U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and state Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George’s).

He’d spent the past 24 years behind bars, after being sentenced to life without parole for his involvement at age 15 in a carjacking that led to a fatal shooting in Aurora, Colo. Another boy pulled the trigger.