Introductions by Cindy Harrington
She stated that the Aging & Disability Network has been in existence for 4 ½ years.
Cindy Introduced todays presenters: John Dutcher, Benefits Advisement Specialist for the Capital District Center for Independence and Ryan Pooler, Client Assistance Coordinator (CAP) for ACCES Vocational Rehab.
The next meeting will be on April 10th from 2:00 – 3:30pm at Saratoga United Methodist Church at 175 5th Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Next month’s meeting will be a panel discussion on Pet Therapy. The panelists will include Cheryl Lawyer, Northeastern Association of the Blind Coordinator, Outreach Services; Teri Conroy , Volunteer, working with Therapy Dogs and Dan Butler from Saratoga County Animal Shelter.
Introduction of Attendees
Ann Quinn made two announcements for the Saratoga Vital Aging Network:
On Thursday, March 22nd, at 12:00 noon, 110 Spring Street, Saratoga Springs, A movie, Get Low, will be shown. Admission is free. Bring a brown bag lunch, drinks and dessert will be provided. Following the movie, there will be a discussion.
On Saturday, April 28th from 9am to 1 pm at Skidmore College, Meika Low, author of “Aging Our Way “ and Sarah Wolff, author of “Aging –Seven Years of Building Community and Enhancing Health”, will make a presentation and have group discussions. For more information contact, dsarno@saratogavitalagingnetwork.org.
Topic and Presenters
This month’s topic is Benefits for the Disabled, Elderly and Veterans
Presenters:
John Dutcher, Benefits Advisement Specialist, Capital District Center for Independence
Ryan Pooler, Client Assistance Coordinator (CAP) for ACCES Vocational Rehab
Ryan Pooler
Ryan works for the Capital District Center for Independence at the Schenectady County office. This agency assists the disabled with whatever they wish to do. 51% of the agency’s personnel are disabled.
1. Information and referral is a large part of the work of this agency. They answer questions about a variety of issues relating to disability issues and provide benefit assistance. If they are unable to answer a question, they will refer a caller to someone else who can help them.
2. Housing advocates provide information pertaining to accessibility, home modifications, rent, utilities, home ownership and subsidized rent.
3. Employment specialists work with a disabled individual to build a resume, job search, assist with interview skills, managing one disability while working and help to find transportation to their work site.
4. A 6-week Healthy Living Workshop is offered on living well with a disability. The workshops provide trainings for healthy living options.
5. Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDP) is a Medicaid-funded program which offers the options to hire a personal assistant of your choice and provide assistance with recruitment.
6. The Ramp Program is not currently being funded. The program provides persons with disabilities and their families, information and referral on community options available to them as a cost effective solution for a ramp.
7. Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a program that advocates on behalf of individuals who are either applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation services, or accessing sheltered or supported employment programs.
8. A Support Group for Veterans is currently being offered.
9. Disability Awareness Presentation Programs are available for schools, civic and community organizations.
VESID or ACCES- VR program provides services for working aged individuals with disabilities. The program helps persons between ages 16 and 65. It is a last resort funding source to help persons with disabilities obtain employment. A doctor must state that the individual needs a service before starting the program. There is a loose definition of disabled under this program. Ryan suggested that if someone is even thinking about employment and what upcoming problems that they may encounter, they should call and speak to one of the counselors.
John Dutcher
John works for the Capital District Center for Independence (CDCI, Inc.) as a Benefits Advisement Specialist. The agency holds trainings on various topics pertaining to benefits once a month. He provided the attendees with a schedule of upcoming trainings.
Social Security Disability A person is eligible for SSD if they have a medical condition or expects to have an illness that will prevent them from working for at least 12 months. You must have paid into Social Security (FICA) long enough to qualify for the benefit. A person is eligible if his income is $1010 or less and if the person is visually impaired, the income limit is $1690.
Supplemental Social Security
A Federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people in need. SSI is for people 65 years of age or older, as well as blind or disabled people of any age. A person’s income must fall below $785. The resource limit for an individual is less than $2,000 and a couple’s resources less than $3,000. The person applying may own one car and one house. SSI entitles the you to Medicaid automatically.
A person can have a trial work period for 9 months, they must earn $720 a month to activate. The person cannot exceed the SSD income guidelines of $1010, but can reduce their income by using expenses. Any money earned affects SSI. The first $85 does not count. Employment will reduce an SSI check. After deducting the first $85, the check is reduced by half of the remaining balance of the person’s monthly salary. It will take 2 months for the change to take effect. Clients must prove entitlement of their SSI benefits and must call Social Security if they obtain new employment. Workers are reevaluated every 6 months.
Children may receive SSI and children of low income disabled parents may receive the benefit. If a child is eligible for $1 of SSI, they are eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid continues if SSI is eliminated due to employment until $46,318 is realized.
If a person is receiving SSD at age 65, their benefit changes to Social Security retirement benefits.
Medicare Medicare A covers hospital expenses and provides 80% coverage. Medicare B covers doctor visits and pays 80% of the cost
Medicare D assists with the cost of prescriptions - Low income individuals may be eligible for Extra Help to pay for a Medicare D plan.
Medicaid
Medicaid is an all-encompassing health care program of last resort.
Medicaid provides funding assistance for the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion program
Medicaid Buy-in
If a person is not eligible for Family Health Plus, they may be eligible for the Medicaid Buy-in program for working individuals. A person can work full or part-time. Yearly income cannot exceed $55,000 for an individual and $73,000 for a couple. Resources limits may not exceed $20,000 for an individual and $30,000 for a couple. If a person is receiving SSDI they only need to work 1 hour a month to qualify. If a person is not receiving SSDI, they are required to work 10 hours a month. The Medicaid Buy-in program can help a disabled individual through the 2 year gap of time between the initial date of receiving SSD and their eligibility for Medicare.
Veteran’s Benefits
Veteran’s Benefits are administered by the Veterans Health Administration and The Veterans Benefits Administration.
Veteran’s Benefits are paid according to percentage of disability, type of disability, length of service, type of service, benefits of a Veteran’s work record. Benefits are reviewed every 3 – 5 years.
Veteran’s Benefits forms can be found online.
Healthcare services are provided to eligible veterans are defined as “needed”. VA defines “needed” as care or service that will promote, preserve and restore health.
Specially Adapted Housing Grants are available to Veterans. VA may approve a grant of not more than 50% of the cost of building, buying or adapting existing homes up to a maximum of $50,000.
A Home modification loan may also be obtained through the Access to Home Program. Loans are available to disabled homeowners up to 100% of the cost of the adaptations up to a maximum of $25,000 at 0% interest.
Funds for home modifications may also be obtained through the Medicaid program.
Respectively Submitted,
Jane Hurst
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