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News

Trust Matters Newsletter

SSI Recipients Can't Afford Housing Anywhere In The United States

SSI Recipients Can't Afford Housing Anywhere In The United States

Nationally, the average rent for a basic studio or one-bedroom apartment exceeds the average SSI payment of $983 per month. Even in the cheapest rental market in the country — Dallas County, Mo. — rent for either a one-bedroom or efficiency would require 64% of a person's monthly SSI payment.

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IRS Raises ABLE Account Limit

IRS Raises ABLE Account Limit

The Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion increased to $18,000 effective at the start of this month. The annual deposit limit for ABLE accounts is tied to that measure, so it will rise as well.

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SSI Beneficiaries Will See Double Payments This Month

SSI Beneficiaries Will See Double Payments This Month

People with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income can expect to receive two payments this month, but one will be higher than the other.

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Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024

Social Security Announces 3.2 Percent Benefit Increase for 2024

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.

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Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Parents of adult children with disabilities know that their child's disability needs may change over the course of their lifetime. Planning for the future well-being of an adult child with disabilities is, therefore, a responsive, ongoing process.

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Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Finds 'Significant Increase' In Kids With Developmental Disabilities

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Finds 'Significant Increase' In Kids With Developmental Disabilities

The number of children with developmental disabilities is on the rise with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that nearly 1 in 11 kids are diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability or developmental delay.

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Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Allegheny County has created a Whole-Home Repairs Program which began taking applications on May 30th, 2023. The program, administered by ACTION-Housing, has $12 million dollars available for grants for eligible Allegheny County homeowners.

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Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with disabilities.

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and our partners work together to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

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2023 SNAP and Medicaid Updates

2023 SNAP and Medicaid Updates

The Achieva Family Trust Benefits Counseling Program has received calls concerning the 2023 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments. Here is what individuals can expect with each benefit.

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Achieva Family Trust Celebrates 25 Years!

Achieva Family Trust Celebrates 25 Years!

2023 is an exciting year for Achieva Family Trust. It marks our 25th year serving as corporate trustee for special needs trusts for people with disabilities!

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PA ABLE Savings Program Announces Updates

PA ABLE Savings Program Announces Updates

A PA ABLE (Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) Account is a useful tool that allows individuals with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing receipt of their government benefits.

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Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2023

Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2023

In December 2022, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later.

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Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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Feds Seek To Remove Medicaid Barriers For Those With Disabilities

Feds Seek To Remove Medicaid Barriers For Those With Disabilities

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing a new rule designed to simplify the application and verification processes for people seeking coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program known as CHIP.

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August is ABLE to Save Month

August is ABLE to Save Month

At Achieva Family Trust, we continue to promote the availability and benefits of ABLE accounts as another option for people with disabilities to save for the future. We have many trust beneficiaries who utilize ABLE accounts in conjunction with their Special Needs Trust.

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Social Security, SSI Benefits Expected To Increase Significantly

Social Security, SSI Benefits Expected To Increase Significantly

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries could see their monthly payments rise again next year by the largest amount in decades, experts say.

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Amazing Ava Continues to Shine

Amazing Ava Continues to Shine

Two years ago, in June of 2020, we introduced you to Ava Allenberg, Amazing Ava as she is called by many. Ava loves to dance! Since Ava started dancing in the fall of 2019, she has inspired a handful of others to start dancing and to express themselves in ways that make them shine.

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May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

Our caring staff of Trust Administrators and Regional Trust Liaisons all have significant experience in the social service field, including supporting people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Mental Health diagnoses.

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New Online Tool to Get Started Applying for SSI

New Online Tool to Get Started Applying for SSI

Social Security Administration (SSA) has just released a new online tool to allow individuals to notify SSA that they want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It can be found on the SSA website, www.SSA.gov.

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March is National Disability Awareness Month

March is National Disability Awareness Month

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).

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Achieva Family Trust Employment Benefits Counseling Program

Achieva Family Trust Employment Benefits Counseling Program

If you are concerned about how your employment income may affect your government benefits, we can help. Discover how Achieva Family Trust Employment Benefits Counseling Program can assist you to achieve your employment goals.

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IRS Raises Limit For ABLE Accounts

IRS Raises Limit For ABLE Accounts

For the first time in four years, the amount of money that people with disabilities can save without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits is rising. Starting this month, the Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion is growing from $15,000 to $16,000 annually.

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Reflections on 2021

Reflections on 2021

As we continue with our preparations for celebrating the holiday season, I want to take a look back at 2021 before we close the door on it and welcome in 2022.

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