News
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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.
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Gov. Tom Ridge Upgraded To Stable Condition
Amber Cecil on 06/22/2021WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tom Ridge, the 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, has been upgraded from critical to stable condition at a hospital in the Washington, D.C. area after having suffered a stroke June 16.
The post Gov. Tom Ridge Upgraded To Stable Condition appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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STATEMENT FROM FORMER PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY MICHELE RIDGE UPDATING HEALTH STATUS OF GOV. TOM RIDGE
Amber Cecil on 06/18/2021WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Pennsylvania First Lady Michele Ridge today shared the following statement regarding the health status of her husband, Tom Ridge, the nation's first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania:
The post STATEMENT FROM FORMER PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY MICHELE RIDGE UPDATING HEALTH STATUS OF GOV. TOM RIDGE appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: A Civil Rights Win for People with Disabilities to Land a Job
Amber Cecil on 04/13/2021"COVID or not, an increase in HCBS funding is long overdue and should go beyond the one-year limit included in the American Rescue Plan. This is a lifechanging program for people with disabilities who are tired of being left behind."
The post Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: A Civil Rights Win for People with Disabilities to Land a Job appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: COVID-Relief Plan Supports Getting People with Disabilities Back to Work
Amber Cecil on 04/13/2021"COVID or not, an increase in HCBS funding is long overdue and should go beyond the one-year limit included in the American Rescue Plan. This is a lifechanging program for people with disabilities who are tired of being left behind."
The post Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: COVID-Relief Plan Supports Getting People with Disabilities Back to Work 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.
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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.
-
Gov. Tom Ridge Upgraded To Stable Condition
Amber Cecil on 06/22/2021WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tom Ridge, the 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, has been upgraded from critical to stable condition at a hospital in the Washington, D.C. area after having suffered a stroke June 16.
The post Gov. Tom Ridge Upgraded To Stable Condition appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
STATEMENT FROM FORMER PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY MICHELE RIDGE UPDATING HEALTH STATUS OF GOV. TOM RIDGE
Amber Cecil on 06/18/2021WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Pennsylvania First Lady Michele Ridge today shared the following statement regarding the health status of her husband, Tom Ridge, the nation's first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania:
The post STATEMENT FROM FORMER PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY MICHELE RIDGE UPDATING HEALTH STATUS OF GOV. TOM RIDGE appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: A Civil Rights Win for People with Disabilities to Land a Job
Amber Cecil on 04/13/2021"COVID or not, an increase in HCBS funding is long overdue and should go beyond the one-year limit included in the American Rescue Plan. This is a lifechanging program for people with disabilities who are tired of being left behind."
The post Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: A Civil Rights Win for People with Disabilities to Land a Job appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: COVID-Relief Plan Supports Getting People with Disabilities Back to Work
Amber Cecil on 04/13/2021"COVID or not, an increase in HCBS funding is long overdue and should go beyond the one-year limit included in the American Rescue Plan. This is a lifechanging program for people with disabilities who are tired of being left behind."
The post Gov. Ridge + Judy Heumann: COVID-Relief Plan Supports Getting People with Disabilities Back to Work appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
