Home improvement regulations, breast cancer screening, expanded banking services come to Delaware

Welcome back to the Community Bulletin Board, a digest of resources and events to keep Delaware communities well-connected and informed. When you want to find out about civic initiatives, activities of local organizations and resources that impact the lives of residents this roundup has you covered.

In this edition, you'll find out about new regulations for home improvement contractors, a new breast screening service in the Milford Walmart and access to financial services for the unbanked.

As always, if you know of any opportunities or information that may benefit members of underserved communities in Delaware, we invite you to join Delaware Voices Uplifted on Facebook and share it with us.

New regulations for home improvement contractors

The Delaware Department of Justice receives numerous complaints from property owners related to home improvement issues every year, according to the department. With nearly 120 complaints from property owners in the first seven months of 2023, the state's top law enforcement agency announced it issued new regulations for home improvement contractors. The regulations went into effect on Nov. 1.

Through complaints and investigations, the DOJ's Consumer Protection Unit identified practices that frequently harm consumers to develop the new mandates.

"Hiring a contractor to work on your home can often feel like a leap of faith. These new regulations clarify common sense practices and protections that will help ensure homeowners are treated fairly and give them some peace of mind," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings in a statement.

Issued under the Consumer Fraud Act, Jennings said the new rules are intended to make it more difficult for dishonest contractors to compete with legitimate small home improvement businesses in Delaware.

Among other things, the new regulations require home improvement contractors to:

• Present consumers a summary of the new regulations before the signing of a home improvement contract.

• Include the contractor's name, address, phone number, website and final terms on the contract before signing.

• Enter a completion date on the contract or clearly indicate on the contract that completion date is not provided.

• Offer a contract noting the consumer's right to cancel, if required by law.

Property owners can make complaints about home improvement contractors by visiting the DOJ's Consumer Mediation Unit website or by calling the hotline at (302) 577-8600 or (800) 220-5424.

Mammography screening available inside Milford’s Walmart

An initiative aimed at improving accessibility has launched inside the Walmart Supercenter in Milford. RadNet, a national provider of outpatient diagnostic imaging services, opened MammogramNow on Dec. 8.

Customers can walk in or schedule an appointment by calling 877-990-2121. In an exam room offering privacy similar to a doctor's office, a mammography technologist will administer the 3D mammogram.

RadNet's National Director of Screening Networks and Population Health Strategy, Tim Merchant said the out-of-pocket cost for a 3D mammogram is $210. Most insurance plans will cover the cost of the test. Merchant said RadNet is in discussions with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition to assist underinsured and uninsured patients in obtaining coverage.

MammogramNow also offers optional enhanced breast cancer detection using artificial intelligence. The software will analyze the mammogram and highlight areas of suspicion. Radiologists then combine the AI data with their clinical expertise to make a final determination. The $40 charge for this service is not covered by insurance.

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Death rates have declined over the years, largely due to early detection through screenings and increased awareness. Screenings are used to find a disease in people who may not have experienced symptoms. However, accessing screenings can be a challenge due to cost barriers and limited provider availability.

The American Cancer Society reports that recently, incidence rates of breast cancer have been increasing by 0.5% per year. Women over 40 years old are advised to have a mammogram screening every year.

Credit union's expansion improves access for the unbanked

Roughly 5.9 million U.S. households were without a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, according to a 2021 FDIC study. The primary reason cited by respondents was insufficient funds to meet minimum balance requirements.

This population of "unbanked" face limited banking options contributing to a cycle of debt and financial hardship. Without a bank account, they struggle to access financial services, like direct deposit, leading many to look for alternative financial services. These alternatives, such as reloadable prepaid cards, check cashing services and payday loans, often come with costly fees.

With a network of 30,000 ATMs and 5000 shared bank locations, people who historically had limited or no access to banking can now enjoy the advantages of credit union membership through Swedesboro, New Jersey-based 1166 Federal Credit Union.

The credit union has expanded its service area to reach underserved communities in Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware, providing them with access to traditional financial services.

Annemarie Shinn, CEO of 1166 Federal Credit Union, said Congress established clear guidelines for the credit union's expansion, which included demographic and economic data, geographical and infrastructure factors, as well as community input. These criteria were used to identify the areas with a demonstrated need for banking services.

The credit union's website lists 100 locations in Delaware.

Member benefits include financial literacy education, access to fee-free or reduced-fee checking and savings accounts and conducting atm and in-person financial transactions at over 5,000 shared branches. Other available products and services include:

• Mortgages.

• Student loans.

• Credit and debit cards.

• ACH service.

The credit union’s name refers to its charter number, and with $5 individuals can become a member. The application can be completed on the credit union's website. To access all services, individuals must upload a copy of a valid government-issued ID and deposit the $5 to become a shareholder.

Contact reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com. Join her on the Facebook group Delaware Voices Uplifted. Support her work and become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: News about construction regulations, breast screening in the Walmart