Your AARP: North Carolina

May 2009

Sick leave — Two bills introduced earlier this year (S 534 and H 177) would, if passed, require employers to provide paid sick leave benefits for workers. Campaigns under way in 15 states are pushing for similar legislation, but the proposal may be a hard sell in the current economy, as many businesses are struggling to stay in the black.

About 42 percent of the North Carolina workforce, or 1.6 million people, lack paid sick leave. AARP supports providing a modest number of paid sick days for workers, particularly health care aides who may expose frail older people to illnesses if the aides can't afford to take a day off. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/nc.

January-February 2009

Affordable warmth — Though energy costs are high, many states have received a boost in federal funding for home heating programs, allowing the states to help more households stay warm this winter.

North Carolina's program received $123 million this year, nearly triple last year's funding. Individuals with annual income up to $11,440 and couples with up to $15,400 can apply for help with paying heating bills.

In Pennsylvania, $280 million in federal funds, a 29 percent increase since last year, will allow the state to help an estimated 620,000 households pay their heating bills. Individuals with annual income up to $23,110 and couples with up to $30,221 are eligible.

To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nc and www.aarp.org/pa.