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Newsletter

December 15, 2010

Bills to offset no COLA failed.

The House and Senate both failed to pass legislation to grant people with disabilities, seniors, and other Social Security beneficiaries a one-time $250.00 payment that would have helped to offset the fact that there will be no cost of living adjustment in 2011 for the second year in a row. The House bill's vote of 254-153 was a majority, but did not meet the two-thirds majority necessary for the bill to be fast tracked on the suspension calendar. In addition, the companion Senate bill also failed to get 60 votes (53-45) to bring it to the floor for debate.

Source: Capital Insider, The ARC

SSI Threshold Amounts for 2011

When someone on SSI asks you how much they can earn and still be eligible for Medicaid, the answer is below.  Each year, Social Security updates to state threshold amounts for SSI eligibility.  Please remember it is possible for a SSI recipient with unique medical needs to have a personal threshold higher than the state threshold, if their income prevents them from meeting their medical needs in order to work.

Threshold for Blind Individuals

Area Work Incentive Coordinators

When people contact me regarding a problem they are having with a local Social Security office regarding the use of a work incentive, such as Impairment-related Work Expenses or Subsidy, I often refer them to a valuable resource to resolve the issue. 

The resource is Area Work Incentive Coordinators (AWIC).   AWICs are Social Security Administration (SSA) employees who provide assistance to the SSA personnel, beneficiaries, ENs, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies, and Work Incentive Planning and Assistance projects, and other in the community on employment support and outreach issues by:

1. Presenting information about the Ticket to Work program and work incentives;

2. Training those working on SSA’s employment support programs on the Ticket to Work programs and work incentives;

3. Helping to resolve work-issues in some cases; and

4. Monitoring disability work-related activities and issues in their Federal region.

AWICs have the ability to intervene on work-related issues and resolve the issue with local offices.  Each AWIC has an assigned area.  To identify who the AWIC is in your area go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/awiccontacts.html

Thank You, Nebraska

During 2010, the Nebraska Ticket to Work Project sponsored four days of training at two locations as part of their effort to develop a Work Incentive Network throughout the state.  Easter Seals Nebraska, under the leadership of Angie Howe, coordinates the project for the NE Department of Health and Human Services.   I would like to thank Angie and her staff for providing me the opportunity to participate and provide training in this project.   The project has a variety of resources at their website. 

Pre-publication Offer Continues

In November, I announced the opportunity to purchase the 2011 edition of “THE GUIDE: Social Security Benefits and Work Incentives,”  at a reduced cost (1/3 off) while the publication is be readied for printing.  The 2011 version will be the 19^th Edition of this popular reference manual.  The 2011 version will have more examples of the application of work incentives and the implementation of new rules and projects which effect a working beneficiary.

The Pre-publication Sale will last until December 31^st.  Shipment of orders placed now will begin on December 26^th.  During this sale the normal price is reduced 1/3, and greater if multiple copies are ordered.  Go to the publication section of my webpage to order.

While They Last.

I am clearing inventory of the 2010 editions of “THE GUIDE”, the “Managing Your SSI Benefit and Income” handbook, and the “Managing Your SSDI benefit and Income” handbook.  A set of books (one each) is now available for $30 plus $5 shipping. (Regular price $92.00 per set)  This offer is not available at the website, call 610-696-1551 to order.  Payment only by credit card.  This offer ends when the inventory is gone.

Get Away in January

If you are already getting tired of the cold weather (and winter hasn’t begun) consider coming to Florida for one of the workshop scheduled for January. 

Upcoming Workshops

Jan. 12, 2011  Jacksonville, FL              Benefits and Employment in 2011

Jan. 13, 2011  Jacksonville, FL              Medicare and Medicaid for Individuals with Disability

Jan. 18, 2011  Fort Myers, FL               Benefits and Employment in 2011

Jan. 19, 2011  Fort Myers, FL               Medicare and Medicaid for Individuals with Disability

Jan. 20, 2011  Fort Lauderdale, FL        Benefits and Employment in 2011

Jan. 21, 2011  Fort Lauderdale, FL        Medicare and Medicaid for Individuals with Disability

Jan. 24, 2011  Brandon, FL                   Benefits and Employment in 2011

Jan. 25, 2011  Brandon, FL                   Medicare and Medicaid for Individuals with Disability

Jan. 26, 2011  Tallahassee, FL               Benefits and Employment in 2011

Jan. 27, 2011  Tallahassee, FL               Medicare and Medicaid for Individuals with Disability

Jan. 28, 2011  Middleburg, FL               Benefits and Employment in 2011

February         California

March             Oregon and Washington

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