News
Learn about CFPD's 20 years of service in our new video, One Person At A Time. Click the image to watch it right now.
If you want to be in the know about what’s going on at our organization, you’ve come to the right place. Be sure to check back regularly to get our latest news updates.
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Governor Tom Ridge Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Amber Cecil on 09/09/2021Watch video from NOD's Chairman
The post Governor Tom Ridge Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11 appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Could the lessons of the pandemic be a boon to workers with disabilities?
Amber Cecil on 08/26/2021“It’s been really incredibly liberating to be in any context and say, ‘Yep, I can hop right in,'” Das said.
Das, who also lip reads, says it’s also good to think about how in-person office policies, such as mask mandates, will affect people with disabilities.
“What might that mean for employees who might have a cognitive disability, or employees who might be deaf?” said Das. “I’m really thinking holistically about how the office is organized.”
The post Could the lessons of the pandemic be a boon to workers with disabilities? appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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No judgment, just empathy: How to approach disabilities in a post-COVID era
Amber Cecil on 08/24/2021As businesses bring people back to the office, they are keenly aware that some employees will have difficulty adjusting to the “next normal” in the workplace, juggling expectations at home and in the office.
Company managers need to keep in mind that they may be supervising “long haulers,” or people who have long-term mental health and physical issues caused by COVID-19. This not only could have an impact on employees but on a business’ work productivity. Anxiety and depression are real, and as a nation, we need to take action and help each other. It may be challenging to deal with the stigma of those mental illnesses, but the consequences of not acting — lost productivity, lost workdays, and in the extreme, suicide — are far greater.The post No judgment, just empathy: How to approach disabilities in a post-COVID era appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Celebrating NOD’s Chairman Tom Ridge on the 31st Anniversary of the ADA
Amber Cecil on 07/26/2021Today, as we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the ADA, we also celebrate the strength and resilience of our chairman, who as a congressman voted for the passage of the ADA and has dedicated his life to promoting the ADA’s principles of ensuring that every American has a right and an opportunity to participate in our economic progress.
The post Celebrating NOD’s Chairman Tom Ridge on the 31st Anniversary of the ADA appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Return to the workplace highlights accessibility concerns for disabled employees
Amber Cecil on 07/15/2021"We often talk about how resilient people with disabilities are, that they're problem solvers," Catherine said. "The pandemic was a great example of that."
Catherine, the associate director of special projects at the National Organization on Disability, is one of about 61 million disabled Americans who had to adjust to a world with COVID-19, according to numbers from the Department of Labor.
The post Return to the workplace highlights accessibility concerns for disabled employees appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
Affordable Care ActThe Impact on Special Needs Trusts
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will roll out over four years and beyond.
The ACA removes lifetime limits on health benefits and creates new coverage options for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Colorado later approved Medicaid Expansion for individuals under 65 years of age with income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level (Approximately $15,000 for an individual), which began January 2014. There is currently no asset test for this program.
What is NOT changing with the implementation of the ACA? (Why a Trust is still needed)
The Medicaid Waiver Program will remain the only real benefit program that will cover significant custodial home care services for people with disabilities.
Long-term care in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Facilities will still be paid by Medicaid when an individual does not have Long-Term Care Insurance, or income/resources to privately pay.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue to have a resource limit of $2,000 for individuals.
When a Trust May Not Be Needed
When an individual who meets the income requirements for Medicaid Expansion and does NOT need Long-Term Care or a Waiver program receives a windfall (PI Settlement, Back-payment in SSA, Inheritance), as there is no asset test for the Medicaid Expansion Service.
Individuals need to evaluate their eligibility for other programs such as LEAP, Food Stamps, etc.
Individuals need to evaluate the other benefits of placing funds in a Special Needs Trust, like:
- Budgeting – CFPD provides a plan for spending or saving to reflect your goals
- Protection from exploitation.
- CFPD provides a link to a network of community partners and resources.
So what are my next steps?
Consult with an attorney who is well-versed in the Affordable Care Act.
Call CFPD to discuss your individual situation. Our staff have been trained in the ACA and follow the implementation of new services and the impact of SNTs.
-
Governor Tom Ridge Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Amber Cecil on 09/09/2021Watch video from NOD's Chairman
The post Governor Tom Ridge Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11 appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
Could the lessons of the pandemic be a boon to workers with disabilities?
Amber Cecil on 08/26/2021“It’s been really incredibly liberating to be in any context and say, ‘Yep, I can hop right in,'” Das said.
Das, who also lip reads, says it’s also good to think about how in-person office policies, such as mask mandates, will affect people with disabilities.
“What might that mean for employees who might have a cognitive disability, or employees who might be deaf?” said Das. “I’m really thinking holistically about how the office is organized.”
The post Could the lessons of the pandemic be a boon to workers with disabilities? appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
No judgment, just empathy: How to approach disabilities in a post-COVID era
Amber Cecil on 08/24/2021As businesses bring people back to the office, they are keenly aware that some employees will have difficulty adjusting to the “next normal” in the workplace, juggling expectations at home and in the office.
Company managers need to keep in mind that they may be supervising “long haulers,” or people who have long-term mental health and physical issues caused by COVID-19. This not only could have an impact on employees but on a business’ work productivity. Anxiety and depression are real, and as a nation, we need to take action and help each other. It may be challenging to deal with the stigma of those mental illnesses, but the consequences of not acting — lost productivity, lost workdays, and in the extreme, suicide — are far greater.The post No judgment, just empathy: How to approach disabilities in a post-COVID era appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
Celebrating NOD’s Chairman Tom Ridge on the 31st Anniversary of the ADA
Amber Cecil on 07/26/2021Today, as we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the ADA, we also celebrate the strength and resilience of our chairman, who as a congressman voted for the passage of the ADA and has dedicated his life to promoting the ADA’s principles of ensuring that every American has a right and an opportunity to participate in our economic progress.
The post Celebrating NOD’s Chairman Tom Ridge on the 31st Anniversary of the ADA appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
Return to the workplace highlights accessibility concerns for disabled employees
Amber Cecil on 07/15/2021"We often talk about how resilient people with disabilities are, that they're problem solvers," Catherine said. "The pandemic was a great example of that."
Catherine, the associate director of special projects at the National Organization on Disability, is one of about 61 million disabled Americans who had to adjust to a world with COVID-19, according to numbers from the Department of Labor.
The post Return to the workplace highlights accessibility concerns for disabled employees appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
