Nicki Engel on LinkedIn: Social Security Finalizes Change To SSI Benefits (2024)

Government policy affects our health and life. This is an example of the countless examples. Social Security benefits for older people and those with disabilities. Use the social ecological model to get a big picture of factors affecting individuals. Complicated but shows a systems approach."On September 29, 2023, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published a proposed regulation that would allow more disabled people and older adults to get full Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments each month. SSI provides lifesaving income supports, but people can see their benefits cut by a third if they get help paying for housing and other necessities. SSA’s proposed regulation would stop cuts to people’s SSI checks if their household receives SNAP benefits (food stamps).""This is important for recipients because, with a maximum SSI benefit of just $914 per month, with benefits often reduced because of other income, virtually all SSI recipients are struggling financially."#advocacy #olderadults #disabilitysupport #hunger #food #nutrition

❗ Big news for individuals with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ❗The Social Security Administration just posted the Final Rule regarding the omission of food from the In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculation, effective 9/30/24. What does this mean? Parents, family members, and Trusts (including Special Needs Trusts) can now purchase food for SSI recipients without receiving the 1/3 reduction in SSI. The new Final Rule includes only shelter expenses in the ISM calculation. Read the full rule here: https://lnkd.in/e_Z-wFDM. #BegleyLawGroup #SpecialNeedsPlanning #SpecialNeedsAlliance #SocialSecurity #SupplementalSecurityIncome #SSI

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If the departmental secretary is looking for public sympathy, she might find it in short supply from the veterans community and their families. The irony might be lost on the secretary that the “relentless scrutiny” and those “negative experiences” that her bureaucrats have felt during the royal commission are how veterans too frequently feel going through the processes that her department have created and managed over many more years.And while the secretary might claim her bureaucrats feel the concentration of that scrutiny and negativity, they have the resources and resilience that most veterans do not possess. Those bureaucrats can always change jobs in the public service. Veterans cannot escape their situation, except by abandoning their claim or suicide.So if the secretary and her bureaucrats feel the emotional toll of the royal commission, they might have walked a day in the boots of their “constituency”.…The head of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), Alison Frame, has frankly called out the tangible load the persistently traumatic three-year Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has brought to bear on her agency’s morale, saying staff need to feel supported to do their job better — even when under intense interrogation.As far as royal commissions of inquiry go, the issue of suicide compounded or caused by institutional parameters is probably the toughest brief around. It’s about people who are prepared to give their life or to take another’s life for their country who then take their own life (or try to) after what they endured in the service of their nation.Then comes the huge number of people carrying lifetime injuries that are physical and/or mental and are then socially reliant (although not always) on a different welfare system where the staff cycle is quicker and the clients last longer.“I think there’s a particular challenge when you’re subject to a royal commission, for example, that is ongoing for a few years. That’s very relentless scrutiny day after day. And the stories that they feature, obviously, are not the positive ones,” Frame spelled out.“There are very negative experiences, and the royal commission exists for a very tragic reason as well. But I think that brings a really specific challenge around keeping morale high when staff feel that every day their efforts are being diminished, or … you know, focused on those aspects that are not as successful.”

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If there was an argument for prevention over crisis reaction, this has to be it. We talk a lot at Your Own Place CIC about sticking plasters and this is where a huge amount of the necessary and professionalised work of the third sector sits. Like you, I don’t want to see anyone go hungry or homeless. However, it is just as vital that the sector contributes to prevention and developing the evidence base to prove that sticking plasters are both expensive and ultimately creating a more expensive recurring problem. Many economists and leaders in our sector have consistently cited increasing welfare benefits as the most effective way of alleviating poverty and reducing the numbers of people facing crisis. Which is also a pretty grim place to be and has massive knock-on effects across our lives. https://lnkd.in/egm5Ch4f#prevention

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The findings of the Robo-Debt investigation and Committee are another nail in the coffin of what was an appalling Federal Government, led by a man who has weaved, ducked, deceived and simply lie to the Australian public for years, even before he became Prime Minister - Scott Morrison. Of course, he is not the only one to blame for this expensive, ill-advised fiasco that caused enormous stress and trauma for over 400,00 innocent people and led to the deaths of some of them. We should also remember the failings of one of our other most pathetic Prime Ministers - Tony Abbott, and his hypocrisy in calling himself a good Christian, with all evidence to the contrary.But the far-right media also needs to be called out for its collusion with the Coalition. It is alleged that Minister Alan Tudge kept a list of any victims of the Robodebt scheme who complained about it, and allegedly gave that list to right wing media, especially 'the Australian' which published some of those details. It was only last year when 2GB's Ben Fordham referred to'dole-bludgers'.The Commissioner rightly indicated that Australia needs to change its attitude towards people on social welfare, including the unemployed. This is not charity but humanity. The vast number of job-seekers are genuine and I believe the same can be said for most social welfare recipients. This is unlike many billionaires and companies which still get away with paying little or no tax, or those who underpay their workers, not to mention cruel, heartless and lazy politicians.Praise to all those who contributed to this painstaking process including investigative journalists such as Rick Morton. If it were not for the courage and conviction of so many people, including the victims and mothers of deceased victims, then the public would still be in the dark. Morrison should immediately resign from Cabinet. His denials are simply acts of desperation. His legacy was already tarnished some time ago for a number of reasons, and he will never recover from this one. I hope that all the guilty are properly punished in whatever the authorities deem suitable and appropriate. I also hope the far-right media learns something too, but that is doubtful, given their history of protecting the wrong people. And let's extend the hand of friendship, kindness, compassion, empathy and humanity to others, without judgment or blame, including people requiring government assistance.

Such news are disheartening but not surprising. The reality today is that support systems that used to buffer the old from such misfortunes have fully been disrupted. Older persons are left on their own and must fend for their livelihoods and those under their care just like they were doing in their early adult life.This is not the best state of affairs and its high time we deliberately instituted mechanisms that safegurds the rights and welfare of older people in #kenya Conversations on older persons care, the place of pension scheme and other social protection must therefore take centrestage.Government programme like Inua Jamii Senior Citizens’ Programme – targeting those 70 years of age and above are good but should be able to enrol more who are also eligible but not covered yet. Hope the announcement by current government to enlist upto 2.5 million older persons will come to fruition. Let it also be a good opportunity to address teething problems like late disbursem*nts which cumulate over months before release. Sickness and hunger can't wait.With conservative estimates showing that about 89% of Kenyan adults lack a pension scheme along with many being left out of such cash transfer scheme, the vagaries of old-age #poverty is real.The old humanise this life and we must do all it takes to keep them well, healthy and happy. HelpAge International United Nations Volunteers #InuaJamii#communityledsolutioncbo

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Millions of Social Security beneficiaries, from retirees to disabled workers, will receive the cost-of-living adjustment, which is far less than last year’s but still higher than average.#socialsecurity #socialsecuritybenefits #socialsecuritycostoflivingadjustment

One woman said she received a notice in 2017 that she had been overpaid $126,600 because she had received workers’ compensation benefits. So this woman, when she received her message, demanded a full refund within 30 days or they would withhold the overpayment at the rate of the lesser of 10 percent or the entire monthly payment.So this woman on disability will lose 10% of their income forever. #usi#hurricane#Propertyinsurance#usioneadvantage#parametricinsurance#climaterisk#climatechange#disasterpreparedness#nyc#newyorkrealestate#longisland#southbeach#california#texas#CommercialInsurance#RiskManagement#InsurancePremiums#ProactiveApproach#InsuranceBroker#ClaimsManagement#LossControl#RiskMitigation#PropertyClaims#InsuranceSavings#InsuranceStrategy#InsurancePlanning#InsuranceTips#InsuranceAdvice#InsuranceIndustry#InsuranceTrends#CostControl#BusinessStrategy#economy#affordablehousing#restaurantmanagement#restaurantindustry

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In the ongoing discourse surrounding public policy, the proposal to revoke free prescriptions for those who choose not to work has sparked a vital conversation. While it's crucial to address the need for workforce participation, we must also consider the potential repercussions on public health.Healthcare accessibility is a cornerstone of societal well-being, and altering prescription policies could inadvertently impact vulnerable demographics, seeing many people falling through the cracks and being put at risk .Striking a balance between encouraging employment and safeguarding public health remains a complex challenge that requires thoughtful consideration and inclusive dialogue and not a draconian tory approach. #PublicPolicy #Healthcare #Employment #SocialImpact

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The cost-of-living crisis is far from over. Prices are still going up. And many people continue to struggle to make ends meet.It’s welcome that the autumn statement sets out how welfare benefits will rise with inflation. But this isn’t enough to prevent millions of people from experiencing poverty, financial stress, and as a result, poor mental health.And we still have no commitment to reversing the £1bn* cut to public health spending necessary to support the mental health of the people who need it most.But we aren't giving up. We will continue to advocate for the people most at risk of mental health problems, including young people, families, people with long-term conditions, and refugees and asylum seekers.*in real terms, taking into account population growth.

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