The Spencer County Council of Aging has open slots for their motor coach trip to the Savannah, Georgia area departing on November 10, 2013 and returning on November 16, 2013.
Tour includes Jekyll & St. Simon’s Island, Beaufort, South Carolina, Paris Island and Savannah.

The cost of $539 per person includes transportation, ten meals and six night of lodging.

For more information contact Diane Arnold with the Spencer County Council of Aging at 812-649-9828.

 

Win Your Benefits! How to Get – and Hang ON to – Your SSI and Social Security Disability Payments!
By Angela Allen

IdeAbility, Inc., and
Nationwide Disability Claim Services
640 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville IN 47714
angela@winyourbenefits.com

Sorry for the tardiness of this column – the Shutdown has been front and center.  It seems for all the world like our government is in the losing car that challenged James Dean in the “chicken” scene in the movie, “Rebel Without a Cause.”  Here’s hoping our government’s sleeve isn’t caught on the door handle (and that we don’t default on Thursday).  The only silver lining to something as insane as a default?  Former Commissioner Astrue was interviewed by David Kestenbaum, last Thursday.  He writes, “if the U.S. does have to pay higher interest on its debt, it could help another big bondholder: the Social Security administration. The entire Social Security trust fund — over $2 trillion — is invested in Treasury bonds. This is required by law. If the new Treasury bonds Social Security buys pay interest at a higher rate, that would mean more income for Social Security.” (Kestenbaum, NPRorg, October 10, 2013).

What is lost in all this dangerous sound and fury is the daily struggle of the custodial parent or grandparent with a disabled child (or grandchild).  A hungry belly knows nothing of governmental shenanigans. And when that hungry belly belongs to a child with a disabling condition, the issues don’t just compound, they increase by orders of magnitude.

While my last article focused a bit broadly on the general topic of filing for benefits, this article takes a closer look at the process of filing an SSI claim for a child.

The Child SSI Claimant, Income and Resources

Eligibility

If your child is under 18 and has a disabling condition that perhaps doctors and/or schools have advised you about, a condition that has caused a delay or a developmental issue, or if you feel that your child clearly has a disabling issue, you might consider filing for SSI if:

• You are the custodial parent (or custodial guardian with documentation of that),
  • (you will probably be the representative payee);
• The household income and resources are low, i.e.:
  • Your income and resources are low, and
  • The child’s income and resources are low.
    • When the child turns 18, only what income and resources that child has are counted (no longer are parental income and resources counted).

SSI stands for “Supplemental Security Income,” and it is for individuals who are:

• found to be disabled, or
• are over 65, or
• who are blind

and in all cases: the individual must meet the income and resource guidelines.  Income and resources can be very complex for a child SSI claim.

Income

If you, as parent, have no income other than TANF and/or you receive food stamps, there is a good chance you are low income/resource “enough” to file for SSI (you’ve already been “means-tested,” to an extent).  By the way, if you are receiving unemployment income, beware: that is “weighted” much more heavily than ordinary wage earnings (as is most “unearned” income).  It is counted dollar-for-dollar (only $20 is exempt from being counted).  If you work, your gross income (minus certain deductions like café plans or child support garnishments) factors into the SSI check computation, along with:

• The number of other children (siblings of the disabled child) living in the same household, and
• Whether there’s another parent in the household (who may or may not be working).

Income is really important, and getting income information (wages, unemployment statements, royalty income, etc.) it into the record quickly, before the “recurring cut-off” deadline is key to getting the SSI amount right (after that point, the amount of the following month’s SSI payment can’t decrease; it can only be recomputed upwards, resulting in two deposits being made).

So, Social Security has been working diligently on making it easier to report income, and taking a lot of its efforts online.  While the agency has been working on finalizing a web-based SSI application, every SSI claims rep is holding her breath on this.  There are so VERY many items that must be taken into consideration with everything related to an SSI filing, including an assortment of computer matches that may – or may not – turn up something to indicate the person filing is not eligible (more on that very important item in a moment).

Resources

The resource limit has not changed in well over 20 years.  It is still $2000 for a disabled individual and $3000 for a disabled couple.  Resources are bank accounts/financial instruments, cars (in excess of one), 401ks, collections (i.e., guns, comic books, etc.), savings bonds, etc.  The child resource limit is somewhat different in that it regards a “household” resource limit, not just the child’s.  This is the short explanation.  I don’t want your eyes glazing over.

Important, Headache-saving Side-Trip on Why Resources are Important

Resources are especially important when it’s tax refund time.  Why?  Because there is a bank/financial account verification requirement.  Granted, it has saved the agency enormous amounts of money, but it is an enormous pain to both claims rep and claimant.

When you file for SSI, you must give your permission for them to “contact your bank or other financial institution.”  If you don’t, it will be a denial, unless you have a really incredibly good reason for not giving them permission (there aren’t that many good reasons – being in WITSEC might be a good one, though).

Hypothetically Speaking…

So, you’ve done that, you’ve filed for SSI for your child, the medical was there, the doctors cooperated quickly with the SSA disability examiners’ requests, the consultative exam was decisive, your rep did an awesome job  and boom, your child is approved on the first go-through.  You’re starting to receive SSI deposits each month for your child (and spending them on food and shelter).  You have been reporting your income regularly at the end of each month.  And now it’s April 15 and you’ve received your tax refund!! It was direct deposited into your personal bank account and you spent it on cool things like bills! Car payments! Food! Getting the toilet fixed!

Then, maybe around June, you get a letter in the mail from Social Security advising you of an appointment for an “SSI Redetermination” (these are customary updates to the info in the SSI record).

You are on time for the phone appointment!  You and the claims rep go through all the items in the SSI record.  All is well and you even get a gold star for reporting your income like a trooper every month – BUT!

What about ALL THAT MONEY in your bank account last April?!?!?

Pretty easy question! “That was my tax refund – happens every spring!”

“Well, you’re over the resource limit.”

You: (frowning.  Not doing your dancey dance.)

This is a personal pet peeve of mine.

You. Are. NOT. Over the resource limit because of your tax refund.

The refund is tax money you are due back from the income you reported that has already been counted.  SSI computations do not deduct your taxes when counting your income.  The deductions the comps do take include café plan items (vision insurance, dental, etc.), and also child support garnishment items are discounted.  But not taxes!

What to do?  Because you’ll be socked with an overpayment for those months your bank balance caused you to exceed the resource limit: Make a copy of your tax return, get a copy of the tax refund deposit statement from the bank, and: file an overpayment waiver request!

Next: The Child SSI Claim, Part 2!

 “Win Your Benefits!” is not meant to replace talking with someone who works for the Social Security Administration. If you call someone at your friendly local field office or one of the 800-number call centers, be sure to make your list of questions in advance. And if you can, read this book first. It’s always a very good thing to get a little more background.  Much of the information in this book is available at the www.SocialSecurity.gov Web site. That’s an enormous – and very educational – Web site.

Win Your Benefits! How to Win – and Hang ON to – Your SSI and Social Security Disability Payments!
and
SSI: The Ten Most Important Things You Need to Know
By Angela Allen,
http://www.winyourbenefits.com/books.html
640 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville IN 47714
angela@winyourbenefits.com

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Evansville has received top honors in the local GreenOvation Awards for beautiful and sustainable businesses.

Sponsored by Keep Evansville Beautiful and the Evansville Business Journal, the awards recognize area companies and organizations for their achievements in beautification and conservation. To apply, organizations completed a survey about their attributes and practices.

UE was one of three local businesses or organizations to win a First Place Excellence Award, along with Bassemier’s Fireplace, Patio & Spas and Berry Plastics. Four organizations won Second Place Merit Awards, and four others received Third Place Endeavor Awards. Awards were presented at Keep Evansville Beautiful’s annual awards luncheon today at Tropicana Evansville.

The University earned points for assets such as an extensive recycling program, three LEED-certified buildings (the Schroeder School of Business Building, Ridgway University Center, and Fifth Third Bank Basketball Practice Facility), and an attractively landscaped and well-maintained campus.

Cadets, soldiers, and civilians are invited to participate in USI’s12th Annual Norwegian Foot March at 8 a.m., Saturday, November 2. With a start and end point at USI, the 18.6-mile foot march will require participants to march on a trail that covers a variety of terrain while dressed in military attire and carrying a 25-pound rucksack and frame.

Sponsored by Dr. Nils Johansen, retired Norwegian Artillery Reserve Officer and USI University Division advisor, the Norwegian Foot March is a boot camp tradition for Norwegian soldiers.

“When the USI ROTC (Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program began in 2001, I knew I wanted to help bring something special to the program,” said Johansen, who holds a Norwegian Foot March badge in gold. “The Norwegian Foot March is a great challenge for cadets and is a typical boot camp activity for Norwegian soldiers.”

Cadets and soldiers who complete the foot march in an allotted amount of time will be awarded a certificate and the bronze badge for finishing, a silver badge for finishing four marches, and a gold badge for completing eight marches. Participants may register individually or as part of a four-member team.

Civilians who wish to participate must provide their own uniform, rucksack, frame, and boot-style foot wear. Tennis shoes are not allowed. Those who complete the march within the set guidelines in the civilian category will receive a Norwegian Foot March certificate.

More than 200 individuals are expected to participate in the event.

Standards and additional event details are available online.

Registration for the Norwegian Foot March is $30 of which a portion will benefit theUSI ROTC program. Registrations can be completed online through Friday, October 18 or by contacting USI’s Division of Outreach and Engagement at 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600.

For more information, contact Major Chris Dalrymple, commanding officer and assistant professor of military science for USI ROTC, at 812/461-5304 orcmdalrympl@usi.edu.

INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosiers who receive relief through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will get less help beginning Nov. 1, according to hunger relief advocates across Indiana.

Find more details about the severity of these cuts in SNAP hunger relief by visiting theFeeding Indiana’s Hungry website. While at this website, check out how you can do to join the fight against hunger in Indiana.

The statistics are staggering. In the United States alone, it is estimated that one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Across the country, the month of October has become a symbol of hope and a time to take special pause to raise awareness and make a difference. This is a job that extends beyond the weeks of October however; it is one that will not be done until we see a decreasing number of sufferers and increasing number of survivors.

For those who do not already know this, my wife, Karen, is a seven year breast cancer survivor. Her mother, sister and niece have also battled this ruthless disease as well. From our experience, we learned that early detection is the key. That is something we hear a lot though so I want to take the time to talk about what early detection really is.

The best screening tool used today is mammography. By using x-rays, these images are used to find early signs of breast cancer such as a dense mass or clusters of calcium. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk get a mammogram every year starting at age 40.

There is also genetic testing, known as BRACAnalysis, which can let you know your risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by identifying a mutation in the BRCA gene. Factors, such as a strong family history of breast cancer and/or a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, cause a woman to be considered ‘high risk.’ When that is the case, mammograms are not only recommended more often but also starting at a younger age- sometimes younger than 25.

Due to the prevalence in our family, my wife went through the genetic testing to see if our daughters may also be in line for breast cancer. Fortunately, the results have shown that the form Karen had was not hereditary but I am still very vigilant that our daughters continue to get routine testing because when breast cancer is detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent.

This disease does not only impact women however. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the year 2013, 2,240 men will be diagnosed with a new case of invasive breast cancer in the United States. While men are not encouraged to get regular mammograms, they are encouraged not to ignore breast lumps and see a doctor when in doubt. Early detection is the key for both women and men.

I understand however that not everyone can afford to be as attentive as this disease often requires. The good news is, throughout the country, low-cost or free mammograms are available to those who need it the most. Komen Affiliates fund breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects in their communities. By calling 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) you can find these low-cost options in our area. Many imaging centers are also currently offering mammograms at reduced rates in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To find a certified mammography center you can visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov.

I consider myself very blessed that my wife and many other people have been fortunate enough to beat this.  However, I know that this is not always the case. As we continue to look for ways to battle breast cancer, I encourage you to get involved in raising awareness on this issue in any way possible. If you are able, donations can be made at any time to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There are also opportunities to get involved by simply volunteering your time. For more information, please visit http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month. Together, we can work to have a common goal to eradicate breast cancer.