13 Conditions Added to SSA’s CAL
The Social Security Administration has added 13 new conditions to its Compassionate Allowances list, bringing the total to 300, to expedite disability benefit applications for individuals with severe medical conditions.
The Crucial Conversation About Healthcare Power of Attorney
This often comes as a shock during a stressful time, like a college visit to the emergency room or a sudden illness away from home. Without the proper legal documents in place, even in an emergency, doctors may be legally prohibited from sharing information with you or following your wishes, no matter how dire the situation.
Path to College Just Got Easier: NC College Connect
For many high school seniors, the college application process can feel like a daunting maze of essays, deadlines, and fees. But for North Carolina public high school students, a new and groundbreaking program is making the path to higher education clearer than ever before. It's called NC College Connect, and it's a game-changer for automatic university enrollment.
Your College Savings Toolkit
Preparing for a child's college education is a significant financial goal for many families. Fortunately, you don't have to tackle this challenge alone. There are a variety of savings vehicles designed to help you reach your goals, each with its own set of benefits. Let's explore some of the most popular options available.
Helping Your College Student Build a Strong Credit Score
As parents, we’ve spent years guiding our children through school, life skills, and big decisions. Now, as they head to college, it's time to tackle another crucial life lesson: financial responsibility. And it starts with their credit score. This isn't just about a number; it's the foundation for their financial independence, affecting everything from loan rates to renting their first apartment. Here’s how you can help them build a strong start.
SSI and SSDI Recipients: Are Payments by Check Ending?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) initially announced a plan to end paper checks for benefits payments by September 30, 2025, requiring all recipients to switch to electronic payments.
However, the SSA has since reversed this decision and will continue to issue paper checks to individuals who lack other means of receiving their benefits.
The SSA encourages electronic payments for efficiency, fraud prevention, and cost reduction, offering direct deposit and a debit card (Direct Express®) as options for recipients.
30 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Group Home
Choosing a group home for an individual with a disability requires careful consideration of various factors, including the services offered, cost, quality of the facility, location, and how the home supports individual preferences and autonomy.
A comprehensive list of questions covering these areas can help individuals and their families make an informed decision and find a suitable living arrangement that meets the specific needs and preferences of your loved one with the disability.
Feds Allow Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers to Continue
By withdrawing a proposed rule change, the Trump administration is allowing employers to continue to pay workers with disabilities less than minimum wage. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it is withdrawing its notice of proposed rulemaking in which it was considering amending Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The proposal to change the rule was put forth by the Biden administration in December 2024.