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During National Nutrition Month, NYSOFA Highlights Statewide Programs Providing 22 Million Meals to Older Adults Annually, Promoting Health and Independence
Since its inception in 1975, New York’s nutrition program has served more than 10 million older adults with over 1 billion meals, making it the largest nutrition program in the country
NYSOFA’s monthly nutrition education show, “What’s Cooking with NYSOFA,” has gained nearly two million views on YouTube and Facebook as part of state and community-level SNAP-Ed NY program for older adults
During National Nutrition Month, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) today reminds older New Yorkers and their families of the many state and local programs available to support overall health and wellness, particularly nutritional health for individuals age 60 and over. Importantly, these nutrition programs help promote healthy aging in place, fight nutritional deficiencies and associated chronic illnesses, and curb social isolation through congregate dining, grab-and-go meal programs, and home-delivered meals.
In 2023, New York’s nutrition program – the nation’s largest – provided over 22 million meals to more than 247,000 individuals. In fact, working with local offices for the aging and partners, New York has served 1,046,508,242 meals since 1975. For general information on these nutrition services, visit https://aging.ny.gov/march-
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “Food is medicine and good nutrition is not only the cornerstone of healthy aging, but it’s an important way to help prevent and manage chronic diseases. For many older adults, the home delivery of meals is a critical health and safety check, and the meal deliverer may be the only person that the older adult sees each week. These programs directly address the underlying causes of some of the most severe chronic diseases. They also provide vital connections for older adults who may otherwise experience social isolation, helping individuals maintain their independence and, in many cases, literally save lives.”
Nutrition Programs Available to Older Adults
NYSOFA administers the state’s nutrition program for older adults in partnership with 59 county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and their local partners. The program meets the highest national standards and utilizes the expertise of Registered Dietitians (RDs) to certify that food meets these standards, combining funding from federal, state, local government, and volunteer contributions from recipients into a single, comprehensive, statewide program.
Services are provided by AAAs and their community partners in every county of the state. Nutrition services include congregate and home-delivered meals, nutrition education and counseling, as well as referrals to additional supports and benefit programs.
Congregate meals are provided at almost 800 community dining sites throughout New York. Home-delivered meals are for individuals unable to shop and prepare meals and who don’t have assistance doing so. Anyone over 60 can access congregate meals, and those needing a meal at home have to meet eligibility criteria.
Income-based nutrition assistance is also available for older adults, including help paying for food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, which provides coupons to buy locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets. The average SNAP benefit for an older adult is approximately $200 per month, or $2,400 per year.
To access any of these vital programs, contact your local Office for the Aging using NYSOFA’s directory, or call the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871. You can also find further program background and application information on NYSOFA’s nutrition assistance page and our video tutorial to apply on your own.
SNAP-Ed NY Digital Programs
The statewide SNAP-Ed NY program provides nutrition education and health promotion activities for older adults to support healthy eating. NYSOFA provides SNAP-Ed programs to older adults at the statewide and regional levels in partnership with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. These programs are overseen by a team of Registered Dietitians and experts who specialize in nutrition for older adults.
NYSOFA’s monthly SNAP-Ed NY cooking demonstration on Facebook and YouTube features delicious, nutritious, budget-friendly meals. The program also includes information about dietary guidelines, meal planning, portion sizes, and much more for older adults. “What’s Cooking with NYSOFA” streams on Facebook and YouTube the final Friday of every month at 1 p.m. The program reached one million views on YouTube and 980,000 views on Facebook during its most recent 2022-2023 season. Read about the streaming success here.
To learn more and watch program archives, visit https://aging.ny.gov/
SNAP Video Tutorial
In 2022, New York State streamlined the SNAP enrollment process to make it easier for older adults to participate, including a shorter SNAP application and less frequent recertification periods (every 36 months instead of 24). To outline these important changes, NYSOFA produced a video with tips to help people complete the new application process.
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CASH ASSISTANCE AND SNAP APPLICATION BACKLOGS NEARLY ELIMINATED, BOLSTERING ACCESS TO BENEFITS FOR LOW-INCOME NEW YORKERS
WATCH: Mayor Adams Talks About How NYC Has Nearly Eliminated Full Backlogs of 46,000 Cash Assistance and 4,000 SNAP Applications
Adams Administration’s Staffing, Technology, Process Improvements Have Bolstered Benefits Access for Low-Income New Yorkers
Since Launching Fully-Remote Process Under Adams Administration, Over 90 Percent of New Yorkers Have Applied for Cash Assistance and SNAP Online
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park today announced that the Adams administration has nearly cleared the backlogs of cash assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications — that peaked at more than 50,0000 — ensuring low-income New Yorkers can quickly and easily access the federal benefits they qualify for. While over 46,000 cash assistance applications and over 4,000 SNAP applications were pending on-time processing last summer, the Adams administration’s investments in staffing, technology, and process improvements has eliminated the backlog of cases by 97 and 90 percent, respectively. In total, the city processed more than 600,000 cash assistance and SNAP applications during this period. Faced with a record number of applications as federal pandemic-related support expired, the city deployed a robust plan to process applications quickly and make it easier for low-income New Yorkers to access critical benefits. DSS hired nearly 1,000 new staff since January 2023 to process cash assistance and SNAP applications, doubled down on training for staff, and strengthened remote application processes to make it easier to apply for benefits.
“As a child, I watched my mother struggle to put food on the table, as she worked three jobs to care for me and my five siblings. The city wasn’t there for us when we needed help — we won’t let that practice continue under our administration,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is putting working-class New Yorkers first, and ensuring they have full access to the benefits they are entitled to receive in a timely manner. Thanks to our investments, our administration has nearly eliminated the cash assistance and SNAP backlogs — processing more than 50,000 applications and building on our work to ensure vulnerable New Yorkers can get the support they need. A more just and equitable New York City is a city that works better for everyone, and that is something our administration is committed to and will continue to deliver on every day.”
CAB DSS
The Adams administration has nearly cleared the cash assistance backlog since last summer. Credit: New York City Department of Social Services
“Today’s announcement shows this administration’s work to streamline processes and find technical solutions to deliver for New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Whether it’s support for children and families facing mental health issues, those needing food assistance, or those accessing cash assistance, we are committed to uplifting individuals and families in need so they can thrive, not just survive.”
“The Adams administration has made critical progress strengthening access to benefits for low-income New Yorkers and we are reaching a record number of New Yorkers today,” said DSS Commissioner Park. “We acted with urgency to address historic increases in the volume of applications, deploying all agency resources and doubling down on efforts to process a significantly higher number of applications over a very short period of time. As a result of technological enhancements, investments in staffing, and strategic process changes, DSS is on track to eliminate backlogs impacting processing delays for cash assistance and SNAP benefits, and the agency is better positioned to handle unprecedented caseloads in the future. We are incredibly grateful to this administration and our tremendous staff for getting us to this point as we continue to build on key efficiencies and implement innovative solutions while ensuring that we are reaching every New Yorker who is eligible for these critical benefits.”
The Adams administration has made important progress strengthening access to critical benefits for low-income New Yorkers, helping more than 510,000 New Yorkers receive cash assistance today — the highest number of recipients since 2003. The city also continues to strengthen access to SNAP for New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity, with more than 1.7 million New Yorkers receiving SNAP benefits — reflecting the highest percentage of low-income New Yorkers receiving SNAP since the city started reporting the figures annually in 2006.
The Adams administration has also made it easier for New Yorkers to apply for benefits by implementing remote capabilities for every step of the application process. As a result of these investments, more than 90 percent of New Yorkers applying for benefits are opting to do so online. Additionally, DSS continues to retain a comprehensive network of brick-and-mortar locations with Benefits Access Centers and SNAP Centers located in every borough for New Yorkers who prefer to apply in-person, while also working closely with community-based organizations across the five boroughs to conduct outreach and support applicants.
The Adams administration is delivering public benefits to more New Yorkers than any other administration over the past few decades. As DSS continues to build on key efficiencies and implement innovative solutions, the agency is better positioned to continue to address such unprecedented increases in applications over the long term. As of February 29, 2024, DSS has 411 cases of SNAP applications pending on-time processing and 1,154 cases of cash assistance pending on-time processing. As of January 2024, a total of 1.73 million New Yorkers were receiving SNAP benefits and more than 510,000 New Yorkers were receiving cash assistance benefits.
CONSUMER ALERT: NYS DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PROVIDES TIPS TO HELP CONSUMERS NAVIGATE RETURN AND REFUND POLICIES
Discover What to Look for When Reviewing Return and Refund Policies
Laws Protect Consumers So They Can Make Informed Decisions During Holiday Shopping
Secretary Rodriguez: “The last thing you want is to purchase an item and realize you can’t return it due to a missing receipt or it is outside of the return window, so I urge New Yorkers to follow these tips to ensure you can get your money back if you change your mind about a purchase.”
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For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips”, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) reminds shoppers of New York State laws that protect consumers so they can make informed decisions about holiday returns. To avoid surprises, DCP recommends that consumers carefully review and understand what to look for when reviewing return and refund policies.
“Consumer spending during this holiday season hit an all-time high, which could mean the number of returns made will be as well,” said New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “The last thing you want is to purchase an item and realize you can’t return it due to a missing receipt or it is outside of the return window, so I urge New Yorkers to follow these tips to ensure you can get your money back if you change your mind about a purchase.”
Around the holidays, gift givers and receivers often change their minds. This year’s holiday weekend from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, set record levels for consumer spending which indicates shopping is showing no signs of slowing down according to the National Retail Federation. The increase can lead to more refunds and returns this holiday season. To help navigate the busy shopping season, DCP offers the following tips:
- Pay Attention to Return Policies: New York State law requires that retailers post their return and refund policies clearly to inform consumers before the transaction is completed. Retailers must provide a written copy of the store’s return policy when requested.
New York State Law does not require retailers to accept returns, however, they must post a conspicuous notice visible to consumers before the point of sale advising that no returns will be accepted.
If the retailer does not post a return policy, the law requires the retailer to accept returns of unused, undamaged merchandise within 30 days of the purchase date. The returned item must include a proof of purchase and the refund must be in the form of cash or credit based on the customer’s preference.
- Understand the Refund Terms: For retailers that allow returns, New York State law does not require refunds to be given in any specific manner. However, it does require the form of the refund – cash, credit, or exchange – be clearly disclosed in advance of purchase. Retailers must also disclose any fees associated with the return. If no fee is listed, customers should inquire whether the store imposes a re-stocking fee for returned merchandise and determine prior to purchase if the item can be returned for a refund or only store credit.
- Retain Any Proofs of Purchase: Consumers should hold on to receipts in the event a product needs to be returned. If purchasing gifts, ask if a gift receipt is available.
Consumers having difficulty obtaining a refund are encouraged to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection.
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The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-
For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/
CONSUMER ALERT: THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PROVIDES TIPS TO AVOID CHECK WASHING SCAMS
Avoid mailing checks from public collection boxes to protect yourself from fraud
Secretary Rodriguez said: “To protect against having your bank account emptied, I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips to protect themselves and their businesses.”
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The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing consumers with guidance to avoid mail theft and check washing schemes. During check washing schemes, thieves steal checks, often in bulk from U.S. Postal Service mail collection boxes and use common chemicals like nail polish remover to erase (or “wash”) the payee and dollar amount while preserving the check’s original signature. These scammers can then profit from making checks out to themselves or selling the stolen, signed blank checks.
According to the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the number of check fraud crimes nationwide surged in 2020 and has worsened each year since. In 2022, FinCEN received over 680,000 suspicious activity reports related to check fraud, almost twice number recorded in 2021.
“People may not be writing as many paper checks but check fraud is still a serious issue because check washing scams can cost consumers hundreds to even thousands of dollars and the fraudulent charges can take weeks to reverse,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “To protect against having your bank account emptied, I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips to protect themselves and their businesses.”
Daniel B. Brubaker, Inspector in Charge of the New York Division said, “When thieves violate the sanctity of the mail, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will spare no resource to bring these nefarious individuals to justice for their crimes. Our persistence in investigating these crimes, along with recent enhancements to USPS equipment and other prevention efforts, are the many ways we ensure the public’s trust in the U.S. Mail.”
Follow these tips to avoid mail theft and check washing scams:
TIPS TO AVOID CHECK WASHING:
- Go directly to the post office to drop off your mail: When using a Blue Collection Box, try to do so before the last pickup of the day to minimize the amount of time the check spends in the box.
- Check your mailbox frequently: Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight.
- Hold mail at your local post office: If you are going to be away from home and can’t check your mail, request to have your mail held at your local post office or have a trusted neighbor pick it up until your return. You can submit a USPS Hold Mail request online at www.usps.com/manage/hold-mail.
htm or in-person at your local post office. - Use black gel pens: Gel pens may have ink that thieves have greater difficulty erasing compared to standard ballpoint pens.
- Sign up for informed delivery from USPS: Informed delivery services allow consumers to receive a daily email with pictures of all letter-sized mail for that address each day. You can sign up online at www.usps.com/manage/informed-
delivery.htm - Review your checking account regularly: Look out for unusual or unexpected withdrawals from your bank account and take time to confirm when your checks clear.
What to do if you experience check washing:
- Contact your bank immediately.
- File a police report.
- Report the check washing to the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 or www.uspis.gov/report
CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides Tips to Save on Entertainment and Recreation Costs
Part Three of Five-Part Consumer Alert Series to Help New Yorkers Save Money
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Secretary Robert J. Rodriguez: “There are countless free and affordable entertainment opportunities in our State, and these creative tips show New Yorkers that you can cut down on spending while still having a good time.”
For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is providing tips to help consumers reduce spending on entertainment and recreation costs. These tips are part three of DCP’s five-part consumer alert series to help New Yorkers save money amidst inflation and rising costs. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
“When saving money and sticking to a budget, entertainment expenses are typically one of the first places consumers look to cut back,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez, who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “There are countless free and affordable entertainment opportunities in our State, and these creative tips show New Yorkers that you can cut down on spending while still having a good time.”
New York State has many opportunities for free entertainment. Explore things to do throughout New York State with the I LOVE NY website, or download the mobile app for great activity ideas, including special sections dedicated to Winter in New York and celebrating Black History Month!
Check with your community for free events. Many counties, cities, towns and villages offer community movie nights, music in the park, recreation programs or other seasonal free community events.
Check out the New York State Fair – the first fair in the nation. Every year, New Yorkers come together to experience an affordable, 13-day celebration of delicious food, eye-opening agriculture exhibits, strolling performers, concerts and great family fun. The event also showcases thousands of animals and dozens of big-name entertainers. The 2023 Great New York State Fair kicks off Wednesday, August 23 and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. Admission tickets are $6 for adults, and children (13 years old and younger) and senior citizens (adults 65 years and older) are admitted for free every day. Plus, there are also free days for special groups on select days.
Find a local county fair or food festival near you. All over New York State, you will find numerous local events that offer a variety of fun filled activities – packed with amazing food, rides, parades, live entertainment, crafts and more! Enjoy a day filled with amazing attractions that won’t break the bank.
Connect to nature. Visit any of the 250 New York State Parks, historic sites, recreational trails and boat launches, or the millions of acres of public lands managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation that offer a variety of entertainment opportunities for all ages and interests. There are plenty of outdoor activities all year round (hiking, camping, boating, birding, etc.), nature centers, programs for the kids and more!
Visit museums. New York State has some of the world’s most iconic museums. Some museums offer free admission every day or on specific days. Some also offer events, festivals and concert series that are free in the summer or throughout the year.
Check out the library. Libraries offer a wealth of items that New Yorkers can borrow, ranging from movies, music and videogames to free or discounted entrance passes to local museums and attractions. Additionally, there are often free events held at libraries, including workshops, computer classes and more. New Yorkers can also get free access to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) with a NY Public Library account, which offers thousands of online educational courses and tutorials taught by industry experts in software, creative and business skills.
Enjoy your next vacation camping. New York’s 118 state campgrounds offer the perfect spot for a family getaway or reconnecting with friends. Located among some of the most breathtaking settings in North America, NYS campgrounds are an affordable vacation option for campers seeking variety, value and a place to create special memories that last a lifetime.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “DEC invites New Yorkers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to experience nature and the outdoors on our shared state lands. With five million acres across the state that include campgrounds and education centers, wildlife management areas, state forests, boat launches and fishing sites, DEC lands, waters, and facilities offer everyone the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate, and recreate.”
New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “With more than 250 state parks, historic sites, trails, and boat launches, New York State has something for everyone, and most are near where you live. We encourage you to visit all there is to offer during any season – whether taking a simple stroll, hiking, camping, boating, visiting a playground or learning how New York has shaped our historic landscape. You’ll find these excursions to be rewarding and cost-effective for you and your family and we know you’ll keep coming back.”
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “There are so many great ways to explore and experience fun and family-friendly attractions across the Empire State. For New Yorkers, many opportunities exist in their own backyards, and iloveny.com can help to choose a great day trip, or plan a getaway down the road. No matter your budget, there’s so much to love in New York State.”
Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey said, “Food, farming, family and fun – the Great New York State has got it all,” said. “We can’t wait to celebrate the best in New York State food, beverage, agriculture and entertainment this summer, and we hope New Yorkers will reserve some time between August 23 and September 4 to join us!”
DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION ISSUES CHARITY SCAM PREVENTION TIPS AS HOLIDAY SEASON BEGINS
Giving Tuesday Is the Beginning of the Season of Charitable Giving
Follow These Tips to Donate Wisely and Avoid Charity Scams
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Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez: “It is important to remember that scammers like to prey on the good intentions of people, and we encourage New Yorkers to do their research before making donations so that these good deeds reach the right place.”
For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) aims to raise awareness about charity scams. The charitable spirit of New Yorkers is at an all-time high during the holiday season, so this week’s tips are meant to serve as a guide when choosing causes to donate to so donations get to the right place and not in the hands of scammers. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
“The season of giving is in full swing, and people are purchasing gifts for loved ones and making generous donations to causes they care about,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “But before making these donations, it is important to remember that scammers like to prey on the good intentions of people, and we encourage New Yorkers to do their research before making donations so that these good deeds reach the right place.”
Charity scams can happen at any time, but they are more prevalent during the holiday season when donors are moved by both generosity and the end-of-year deadline for securing tax deductions. Charity scams also increase after a natural disaster or emergencies, collecting millions of dollars from unsuspecting donors. On many occasions, these fraudsters pretend to be affiliated with well-known organizations or even the government to scam people out of their hard-earned money. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2022, there were 10,217 reports of charitable solicitation fraud resulting in $21 million in losses. This is a drastic increase from 2019’s 3,872 reports of charitable solicitation fraud resulting in $6 million in losses.
Tips to Help Avoid Charity Scams:
- Check the legitimacy of the charitable organization. Charities located or engaging in substantial fundraising in New York State should be listed on the New York State Attorney General’s database of registered charities. Research before you donate by visiting com to verify registration, and by checking websites such as www.bbb.org, www.give.org and www.guidestar.org in addition to visiting the charity’s website. If donating toward relief efforts, visit a site such as disasterphilanthropy.org to ensure your donation is really going where it needs to.
- Learn to detect a phony charity. Some scammers will create fake “charities” and try to trick you with names similar to well-known charities. Pay attention to the charity’s full name, web address, contact information, donation policies, etc. Scammers may copy or mimic the name of a familiar, trusted organization to swindle you.
- Designate your donation. Ask how your donation will be allocated between direct services and administrative fees. Unless you designate a specific purpose for your donation, it will go into the organization’s general fund, so make sure to note if you are sending money for a specific purpose (ie: “Playground Fund”).
- Be cautious of third-party fundraisers. If a solicitation comes from a third-party company, the charitable organization will receive only a percentage of your donation. If you want to ensure the charity receives the whole amount, donate directly to the charity instead. For more information, access the New York State Attorney General’s website and review the annual “Pennies for Charity” report.
- Pay attention to vague claims. Be on alert for claims without any clear plan such as “all proceeds go to cancer treatments” or “donations go to veterans who can no longer work.” Instead do some research on the charity before you decide.
- Resist high-pressure tactics. Charity fraud scams can come in many forms, whether by email, social media, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc. Watch out for direct e-mails from “victims” and solicitors who employ heart-wrenching stories, insisting that you donate immediately. It is highly recommended to never provide personal information to unsolicited telemarketers, but instead ask the caller to provide you with the full name of the charitable organization, , website address and contact information to research and verify.
- Find out who’s behind the crowdfunding request. Online crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe, Indiegogo and Crowdrise make it easy for people to create crowdfunding campaigns. To protect yourself, remember to only give to people you know directly. It’s also important to understand the crowdfunding site’s rules, policies, and vetting procedures. It can be helpful to know these ahead of time to determine how they are protecting consumers from potential fraud.
- Never disclose personal information. Do not provide any personal information such as your credit card number, Social Security number, or any other personal identifying information in response to an unsolicited charitable request.
- Never give cash. Give your contribution by check or credit card to ensure that you have a record of the donation. Make checks out to the charity, not to an individual. If you choose to make a donation via a charity’s website, check that the website is secure and that your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection. Check for the padlock to the left of the URL search bar to ensure the site is secure. Do not send funds to anyone asking for bitcoin or cryptocurrency as these payments typically have no protections against fraud.
- Don’t mail checks from public collection boxes: According to the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the number of check fraud crimes nationwide has increased since 2020. To avoid this fraud, go directly to the post office to deposit mail. If you need to use a public U.S. Postal Service collection box, try to do so before the last pickup of the day to minimize the amount of time the check spends in the box.
- Double Check before you deduct. Donations made to individuals or organizations that are not tax-exempt are not deductible. To find out if a donation will be tax deductible, research an organization’s tax-exempt status at the Internal Revenue Service Tax Exempt Organization Search . Request a receipt and track the status of your donation.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-
Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division of Consumer Protection on Facebook and Twitter.
CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Offers Tips to Protect Older Adults From Consumer Fraud Scams
August 21st is National Senior Citizens Day
Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics
Secretary Rodriguez: “To help better protect our loved ones, these tips help to warn older adults and their family members about the different kinds of fraudulent schemes scammers use so they can avoid falling prey to their tricks.”
For this week’s Tuesday’s Tips, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is offering guidance to help prevent and protect seniors from consumer fraud and scammers in advance of National Senior Citizens Day on August 21st. Financial fraud and exploitation is one of the most prevalent types of elder abuse, and a recent AARP report estimates that the annual loss of victims of financial abuse in the United State is assessed to be at least $28.3 billion dollars. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
“Older adults are too often targeted by predators that use a number of ever-evolving consumer fraud scams to steal personal information, money or more,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “To help better protect our loved ones, these tips help to warn older adults and their family members about the different kinds of fraudulent schemes scammers use so they can avoid falling prey to their tricks.”
New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, “Scammers often use seemingly realistic or convincing scenarios to trick people into sending money or providing personal information. Older adults can protect themselves from being defrauded by exercising caution and by not clicking links or providing personal information to a person or organization that has contacted you unexpectedly. If you need assistance, or have a concern about scams, you can find local help by contacting NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871.”
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave said, “Financial fraud and exploitation of our elder New Yorkers literally robs them of the resources they need to maintain their independence, provide for their health care and other vital assistance that ensures their well-being. These crimes are often some of the most difficult to prevent and can inflict untold trauma upon the victims and their families. We thank our partners with the Division of Consumer Protection for offering these important tools and tips. You can also contact our bureau of adult services at 1-844-697-3505 for referrals on money management services and other financial programs to help protect these vulnerable New Yorkers.”
Some of the most common older adult scams include:
- Medical Device Scam: Unsolicited prerecorded messages, known as “robocalls,” offering free medical alert devices by providing an address and credit card information.
- Grandparent Scam: Scammers call or email asking for money while impersonating a beloved grandchild who is in some kind of trouble.
- Ghosting Scam: Identity thieves obtain personal information about deceased persons from obituaries, funeral homes, hospitals, stolen death certificates and online web sites and use this information to establish credit and open accounts, take out loans, receive benefits, or even collect tax refunds filed under the stolen identity.
- Jury Duty Scam: Scammers pretending to be law enforcement officers or court officials contact individuals to inform them that they have failed to report to jury duty and must pay a fine by credit card to avoid an arrest.
- Funeral Notification Scam: Scammers send emails deceptively informing recipients of an upcoming farewell ceremony in remembrance of a friend or loved one, and upon clicking a link provided in the email, victims are sent to a third-party website where malicious software is downloaded so scammers can gain access to the user’s information.
- Sweepstakes Scam: Scammers entice consumers with various prize offers and then ask you to share personal information or pay a fee to enter the sweepstakes.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Imposter Scam: Phone scammers impersonate IRS agents and demand immediate payment of overdue taxes from victims via debit card or wire transfer to avoid being arrested.
- Free Grant Scam: Scammers promise fraudulent grants in print or over the phone and ask for bank account and routing numbers.
For more information about how you can recognize the most common older adult scams or for more scam prevention tips, download The Division of Consumer Protection’s informative Senior Anti-Fraud Education (S.A.F.E.) brochure. If you have parents or older family members, take the time to explain these scams to them.
Here are a few tips to follow if you or someone you know receives a call or email you believe to be a scam:
- RESIST the urge to act immediately – no matter how dramatic the story is.
- VERIFY the caller’s identity – ask questions that a stranger couldn’t answer. Check with a family member to see if the information is true.
- DO NOT send cash, gift cards or money transfers. Once the scammer gets the money – it’s gone!
- DO NOT give your personal banking account information by email or over the phone OR log into bank accounts as directed by the caller (scammers can steal your information using screen mirroring).
About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-
For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Bronx Volunteers Launch Global Campaign Offering Message of Hope
BRONX, N.Y. – At a time when the desire for better government is on the minds of people the world over, Jehovah’s Witnesses will launch an international campaign to bring attention to a universal solution. The Witnesses will feature a special edition of “The Watchtower” magazine, available in over 780 languages in print and online, with the theme “What Is God’s Kingdom?”
Local volunteers from the Bronx will distribute this special-edition magazine during the month of September.
“The topic of a better government is so timely today because many people in our area are losing their hope and trust,” said Monet Benson, a resident of the Bronx. “The world around us is rapidly declining. The increase in crime, sickness, and unhappiness has left many feeling hopeless. How timely it is for me to share with my neighbors that a better government exists and is the solution to all their problems. I’m excited to share in this campaign because I get to show people the specific ways God’s Kingdom benefits them.”
Throughout the centuries, millions of Jesus’ followers have prayed the words “thy Kingdom come” but wonder what that Kingdom is, what it will accomplish, and when it will come. To answer those age-old questions, the Witnesses’ special-edition magazine will reference key Bible passages. The clear and simple explanations have been designed to appeal to both new and experienced Bible readers.
“The majority of people today want better rulership, but they just don’t know how or where to find it,” said Mark Godoy, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “This global campaign will help sincere people find the rulership they truly desire. Our campaign will bring a positive message of hope to our communities.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jehovah’s Witnesses distributed millions of this special-edition magazine through letters, even sending copies to thousands of government officials worldwide. Now that they have returned to their door-to-door public ministry post-pandemic, this will be the first in-person campaign where they will have the opportunity to discuss the important and very timely subject with their neighbors.
A free digital copy of this special issue of “The Watchtower,” as well as information about the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses, is available at jw.org. The Witnesses’ site offers practical Bible-based content for people of all ages and beliefs in over 1,070 languages.
9/23
NYSOFA’s Rollout of AI Companion Robot ElliQ Shows 95% Reduction in Loneliness
NYSOFA-ElliQ partnership renews for a second year following validation of ElliQ’s effectiveness in improving the lives of aging New Yorkers | |
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Intuition Robotics today announced a continuation of their unique partnership and new data showing the efficacy in providing AI companionship to older adults in New York State, including a 95% reduction in loneliness and high levels of engagement. In one example, Lucinda, an older adult in Harlem, participates in four activities with ElliQ per day on average, including stress reduction exercises twice daily and a cognitive game every day. She also works out with ElliQ once a week. To learn more about these and other outcomes, see the attached report. Over the past year, Intuition Robotics has added unique features to keep seniors active, connected and engaged, such as: ElliQ taking users to museum exhibits and road trips, painting with ElliQ using generative AI, mindfulness exercises led by a certified mindfulness instructor, recording life memories in a digital memoir and sharing them with family and friends, and the ability for the NYSOFA staff to send informational video messages about available resources. About Intuition Robotics About the Association on Aging in New York |
NYSOFA Produces Video Series Showcasing Work of Aging Services Providers to Engage Underserved Populations
Video Series Highlights Community Engagement Efforts Supporting Access to Nutrition, Chronic-Disease Self-Management, and Socialization Programs | |
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) this week released a three-part video series called Community Engagement in Area Agencies on Aging. The series highlights three aging services organizations in New York that are meeting the needs of traditionally underserved populations in their communities. |
Older Adults Among Those at Highest Risk for Heat-Related Illness Extreme Heat Kills More Than 600 People in the U.S. Every Year, Though Serious Health and Safety Effects Are Preventable
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) are urging older adults, their family members and caretakers to be prepared for high temperatures and excessive heat this summer. NYSOFA and NYSDOH also offer tips and resources for older adults and loved ones to stay safe.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and those with chronic diseases are at the highest risk for heat-related illness. While serious health and safety effects are preventable in many cases, more than 600 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.
“As summertime weather starts, it is vital that older adults know the dangers and how to be prepared for extreme heat and humidity,” said NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen. “Now is also an important time for family, neighbors, and friends to check in with older adults as a precaution, especially in advance of a forecasted heat wave. This is particularly important for older adults who are most at risk, such as individuals who are low-income, live alone, have chronic conditions or who take certain medications.”
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “High temperatures coupled with high humidity, particularly over an extended length of time, can be a dangerous combination, especially for older adults, the very young, those who work outside, and individuals with preexisting health conditions such as diabetes, obesity or heart disease. I urge all New Yorkers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, take appropriate precautions such as staying hydrated, and know what to do if you or someone you encounter is experiencing health issues due to extreme heat.”
Association on Aging in New York Executive Director Becky Preve said, “Older adults and their families may be unaware of the significant dangers of extreme heat, especially in individuals with chronic health conditions. It is paramount for the health and safety of the community to understand heat-related illness, and to be knowledgeable of programs and services to alleviate and diminish the impact of extreme heat.”
According to the CDC, factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:
- High levels of humidity
- Obesity
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Prescription drug use
- Heart disease
- Mental illness
- Poor circulation
- Sunburn
- Alcohol use
What should I do before a heat wave?
- Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
- Make sure that you can open your windows and/or that your air conditioner is working properly.
- Find out where to cool down – ask local officials about cooling centers in your area. If there are none, identify air-conditioned buildings where you can go (such as libraries, malls, supermarkets, or friends’ homes). The New York State Department of Health has information about cooling centers here.
- Choose someone that you can call for help or who can check on you.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about medications that might make you sensitive to the sun or heat.
What can I do during a heat wave?
- Use air conditioning to cool down or go to an air-conditioned building.
- If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, open windows and shades on the shady side and close them on the sunny side to try to cool it down.
- Drink plenty of fluids but avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks.
- Beat the heat with cool showers and baths.
- Take regular breaks from physical activity.
- Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
- Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
- Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat (e.g., straw or mesh) when in the sun, even if it is cloudy.
- Never leave children, pets or those with special needs in a parked car, even briefly. Temperatures in the car can become dangerous within a few minutes.
- Check on your neighbors, family and friends, especially those who are older or have special needs.
Places to Get Cool
New York State pools and beaches across the New York State Park system are available for individuals to cool off during hot days this summer. View the full list of statewide swimming lakes, ocean beaches and pools. Call ahead to confirm hours.
Additionally, the New York State Department of Health collects information about seasonal cooling centers from local health departments and emergency management offices. For more information and to find a Cooling Center near you, go here.
Aging Well in the Bronx Survey
The New York Academy of Medicine is conducting an online and paper survey of adults age 65+ who live in The Bronx. We want to hear from each of you about how well the borough is meeting your needs and suggest ways that The Bronx can better support older adults and people of all ages. Responses will be anonymous, and the collected data from this survey will be shared directly with the Bronx Borough President’s Office, along with concrete recommendations on how to make The Bronx the best borough for people to age-in-place. You can complete this survey in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Italian or Russian online or reach out to our office at 718-547-8854 or senatorjbailey@nysenate.gov about completing it on paper. Thank you for your time and your input.
NYS DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AND THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE ALERTS CONSUMERS OF SCAMMERS PRETENDING TO BE FROM UTILITY COMPANIES
Scammers Claim Utilities Will be Shut Off Unless Consumer Makes Immediate Payment
Consumers Should be Alert and Follow Basic Tips to Keep Information Protected
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) and the NYS Department of Public Service is alerting consumers of phone calls in which scammers, pretending to be from electric companies are looking for overdue payments and threatening to suspend electricity services unless they receive a payment immediately. Payment has been requested by means of untraceable services such as gift cards, and money transfer apps, including PayPal and Zelle.
“Scammers use persuasive tactics to try to get their hands on unsuspecting consumers’ money, before they have time to confirm what scammers are telling them,” said New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “Like many others, this latest utility scam is prying on vulnerable New Yorkers who believe in the empty threats to shut off their utilities. New York consumers should be aware of some basic tips to keep their hard-earned money safe from scammers.”
Department of Public Service CEO Rory Christian said, “It is simply and plainly wrong that scammers try to take advantage of consumers, especially during these uncertain times. New York has taken strong action to protect consumers, including a moratorium on shutoffs for customers financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. New Yorkers should call or contact their utility directly if there is any question about the status of the consumer’s utility service.”
The calls reported to DCP are coming from scammers purporting to be from New York electric and gas utilities. The scammers claim that the consumers’ utilities will be shut off in minutes due to an outstanding account balance unless the consumer makes immediate payment. The scammer then asks for consumer information, including utility account numbers, social security numbers, and dates of birth, and demands payment for alleged past-due bills. Scammers will demand payment, in form of financial technologies, which includes cash apps and bitcoin, to bilk thousands of dollars from unsuspecting costumers.
Utilities give repeated notices prior to terminations including reaching out to consumers with past due balances by phone to offer payment options. However, utilities do not specify that the payment must be a prepaid card or other non-traceable money transfer. If someone demands payment via non-traceable method, consumers just need to pull the plug on these scams by hanging up the phone and reporting the calls.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, consumers should follow the tips below:
- Hang up and call the utility company yourself. Call the company using the number on your bill or the utility company’s website even if the person who contacted you left a call-back number. Often, those call-back numbers are fake. If the message came by text, don’t respond. If your bill says you owe anything, pay it as you normally would, not as the caller says.
- Consumers should never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, date of birth, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if they are at all suspicious. Consumers should not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “Yes” or “No.” Consumers should exercise caution if they are being pressured for information immediately.
- Utility companies do not ask for payments via gift cards or cash transfer apps. Gift cards allow scammers to get money without a trace. Real utility companies issue several disconnection warnings before shutting off utilities and they never demand money over the phone or specify a method of payment. The utility may call customers to discuss payment plans, but will NOT call the customers to threaten. The utility primarily communicates via letters, bills, emails and authorized texts.
- Use call blocking tools from your phone provider and check into apps that block calls. The FCC allows phone companies to block robocalls by default based on reasonable analytics (see fcc.gov/robocalls).
- Do not rely on the number that comes up on your phone. Callers can “spoof” the number to look like a government agency or local utility company. If someone has contacted an individual and they are suspicious, they should hang up and go directly to the official website for the agency or utility company or call the number on their utility bill to confirm whether there is a problem with their account.
- File a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection investigates Do Not Call violations and provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/
CONSUMER ALERT: DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ALERTS NEW YORKERS ABOUT REAL ESTATE AND RENTAL SCAMS
Scammers Posing as Real Estate Agents Using Current Listings to Try to Steal Down Payments and Security Deposits
New Yorkers Should Follow Simple Tips When Looking to Rent Property
The New York State Department of State and the Division of Consumer Protection today alerted consumers about real estate and rental scams, in which scammers work to steal prospective tenants’ money when they are looking to rent a home or an apartment. Rental scams are executed by criminals in a variety of ways, but the goal is the same: bilk potential tenants out of as much money as possible. According to Federal Trade Commission rental fraud data, New Yorkers claimed losses of over $1.7 million during the last three years.
“Shopping for a rental home or apartment can be a stressful, expensive and time-consuming process, especially with scammers actively trying to take advantage of New Yorkers,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “I encourage New Yorkers who are looking for a rental property to follow basic tips to avoid losing their hard-earned money through deceptive practices.”
An emerging real estate scam involves scammers who fraudulently impersonate the identity of a licensed New York State real estate professional, and present the real estate professional’s license as their own. The scammer then attempts to “rent” a property that isn’t theirs to one or more potential tenants—sight unseen—making off with security deposits, first month’s rent or prepaid rent. The scammers take legitimate rental postings and re-post or advertise them with their own contact information, often at enticing, lower rates than the original advertisement. The transactions are generally conducted by phone, text message or email with the scammer asking for a wire transfer, prepaid debit card, payment on a cash-based app or other method of payment that is not traceable.
Other scams include bait-and-switch techniques where a different property than the one available is advertised; rentals that are listed with features they don’t really have in order to garner higher rent; and charging potential tenants fees for background checks, then stealing the money and disappearing.
REBNY President James Whelan said, “We appreciate efforts by DOS to raise awareness of this problem in order to help protect the interests of consumers and members of the real estate industry. In addition to harming renters, these reprehensible scams can severely damage the reputations and livelihoods of New York’s honest, hardworking real estate agents, and such behavior has no place in our state.”
New York State Association of REALTORS®, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Duncan MacKenzie said, “The New York State Association of REALTORS®, Inc., the largest real estate trade group in the Empire State, applauds the Department of State and the Division of Consumer Protection for publicizing these illegal actions. We join DOS and DCP in urging consumers to be cautious about all real estate transactions and to always verify the identity of those they are engaged with. We will share this important alert with our 65,000 members and the many consumers they represent.”
To avoid falling victim to a rental scam, New Yorkers should follow basic tips:
- Verify that the real estate professional you are dealing with is licensed in the State of New York by visiting the Department of State’s Public License Search.
- Validate the real estate professional’s identity by conducting an independent online search to obtain the phone number associated with the professional’s license address. Call the number to verify. You can also request to see a copy of the DOS-issued photo license and arrange an in-person or video meeting to compare the ID.
- Confirm that the property you are interested in is legitimately on the market. Many scammers act as representatives of real estate that is not on the market or does not exist.
- Avoid paying any advance fees or deposits before having an opportunity to inspect the premises. Additional information on the types of fees an agent might be permitted to collect is available here.
- Never give checks or wire money directly to the agent. Agents must be paid directly from their broker of record. Deposits and fees should never be in the name of the agent.
- Demand a refund of your deposit or commission fee if the agent does not finalize rental or sale of the property. An agent earns a commission when he or she assists the landlord and tenant in reaching an agreement on all the terms of the apartment rental.
- Request everything in writing, and get receipts. Never complete transactions in cash. It is always better to leave a paper trail by using a credit card or a personal check. Make sure to save a copy of the payment for your records and keep in a secure location in case they are needed to dispute a charge. Real estate professionals are required by law to provide you copies of all instruments relating to the transaction.
- Refrain from providing personal or financial information unless you are absolutely sure you are dealing with a reputable business or agent.
If a consumer has fallen victim to a rental scam, they are encouraged to file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection. When the Division receives complaints about real estate agents or brokers, the complaints are referred to the Division of Licensing Services, which is responsible for licensing these professionals.
NEW YORK STATE HONORS OLDER VOLUNTEERS AT OLDER NEW YORKERS’ DAY VIRTUAL CELEBRATION Annual Event Pays Tribute to Older Adults from Across New York State for their Contributions to their Communities
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) today celebrated Older New Yorkers’ Day virtually, recognizing 87 volunteers from across the state who demonstrate their extraordinary value every day to their family, friends, and community. The celebration traditionally takes place each year in May in Albany; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year it was premiered as a virtual event. To view the event video, please visit: https://bit.ly/ONYD2020.
“We have highlighted for years the significant contributions older New Yorkers make to their families, communities, and the economy,” said NYSOFA Acting Director Greg Olsen. “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how important volunteers of all ages are, particularly those age 60 and older, as they have put themselves at risk to provide critical services to older adults in their homes to slow the spread of the virus. We recognize how essential our state’s older volunteers are—without their efforts, many individuals would not have the food, supplies, and medications they need to help ensure their health and safety. Every day, these volunteers are saving lives. I could not be more thankful and proud.”
Annually, Older Americans Month highlights the incredible efforts and diverse contributions older adults make to their communities. In New York, there are almost 1 million volunteers age 55+ who contribute approximately 500 million hours of service each year at an economic value of more than $13 billion. The 2020 Older Americans Month theme is “Make Your Mark,” which perfectly captures the role older New Yorkers are making during this pandemic. Their time, experience, and talents benefit family, peers, and neighbors every day. This year’s theme highlights the difference everyone can make to support and strengthen their communities.
Each year on Older New Yorkers’ Day, the New York State Office for the Aging and its 59 area agencies on aging across the state honor extraordinary individuals, who through their actions, demonstrate the spirit of civic engagement and selflessness. Many older New Yorkers have been providing essential services during this pandemic as a result of Matilda’s Law by delivering meals, groceries, supplies, and medication; providing transportation to critical medical appointments such as dialysis and cancer treatments; and making phone calls to older adults to combat social isolation. These individuals are true heroes who deserve our gratitude for being on the front lines to help others.
All of our older volunteers show the true side of aging—that it’s not about artificial numbers that represent age, because how old we are is not what defines us. It is our actions, passions, commitments, perseverance, and goals that define us—and an artificial number can never be placed on these.
This year’s Older New Yorkers’ Day celebration honors 87 individuals from 49 counties who volunteer their time and energy to more than 460 different organizations throughout the year to help others.
Special awards were given to the following honorees:
- The Governor’s Recognition for Exemplary Service was awarded to Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel of Chemung County;
- The New York State Assembly’s Older New Yorker of the Year award was presented to Mary Anne Sears of Monroe County;
- The New York State Senate’s Outstanding Contribution by an Older New Yorker award was presented to Beverly Thorp of Madison County; and
- The Area Agency on Aging Volunteer Innovations Award was presented to the Schuyler County Learning Pod Program.
NYSOFA regularly highlights exceptional volunteers on our website and through social media, and every day through the rest of 2020 we will showcase this year’s honorees as well as those volunteers who are putting themselves at risk to serve their communities and are continuing to work to address the needs of older adults during the pandemic.
About the New York State Office for the Aging and Health Across All Policies/Age-Friendly New York
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.6 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them.
New York is nationally recognized for being the first age-friendly state in the nation. Using the state’s Prevention Agenda as the overarching framework, in 2017, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched a Health Across All Policies approach, where public and private partners work together to positively impact population health by marrying health care, preventive health, and community design, in concert with addressing social determinants of health, to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, young and old.
Stay connected—download the NYSOFA mobile app for iOS or Android; visit the NYSOFA Facebook page; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter and NYSAging on Instagram; or visit aging.ny.gov.
Senior News
Staying Safe
BYLINE: By Matilda Charles
I never thought this kind of thing would happen where I live: A woman was kidnapped in front of a store, in broad daylight, by a man carrying a gun.
It’s hard to even type those words, so shocked am I to learn of it.
To cut to the chase, the woman is thankfully fine, although no doubt rattled and upset. After being forced to drive the kidnapper to another location, she was able to drive away safely after he fled the vehicle.
Still, it might not have turned out that way.
I can’t count the thousands of times I’ve gone to that same store, or strolled down the main street to the ice cream shop, or come out of a restaurant … at night … and never been afraid. After all, the relative safety in this area is why I moved here. But there are no guarantees that things will stay the same, are there?
That woman’s experience has been a life changer for me, unfortunately.
I now carry my wallet and cellphone in an inside coat pocket. If a thief wants my purse, he can have it, with no hesitation that might cause him to do bodily harm to me.
I’m now paying more attention to what’s around me — people in parking lots, people milling around — instead of just going on my merry way oblivious to my surroundings.
If I’m headed to the car, my keys are in my hand. Once in the car, I lock the doors, something I’ve never felt compelled to do.
I trust my instincts if something makes me uneasy. After a recent trip to a store, I waited a minute and walked out with a couple of college students after asking if I could walk across the parking lot with them. They were pleased to escort me all the way to my car.
Stay safe out there and beware of what’s going on around you.
During National Family Caregivers Month NYSOFA Announces New Offerings for Family Caregivers Using Free NYS Online Support Portal
Highlights include sitewide Spanish language translations, new community chat rooms, mental health content, caregiving for kids with complex needs | |
During National Family Caregivers Month, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) today announced several new offerings for subscribers of New York’s Caregiving Portal – a powerful resource that is available free of charge for any person in New York State providing unpaid caregiving supports to a family member or friend. New offerings include sitewide Spanish language translations, community chat rooms, mental health content, and tools to help caregivers of children with complex needs.
There are an estimated 4.1 million caregivers in New York State who provide 2.68 billion hours of unpaid care. Sixty-one percent worry about caring for a loved one and 70 percent reported at least one mental health symptom during the pandemic. The caregiving portal teaches critical skills to reduce caregiver stress levels and increase confidence in one’s caregiving abilities. A 2021 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports found a high rate of retention and engagement among caregivers who used the Trualta-developed platform to support their care for loved ones with dementia:
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “New York’s Caregiving Portal is providing even more ways for caregivers to connect with one another, learn evidence-based skills, relieve personal stress, and improve quality of life when navigating the complexities of caregiving for a loved one of any age. Nobody should have to go through the caregiving process alone. New York’s Caregiving Portal provides tools and information to help validate the caregiver experience, connect caregivers with support resources, and build confidence in day-to-day tasks and decision-making to help care for a loved one at home.” Trualta CEO Jonathan Davis said, “We are thrilled to continue our strong partnership with New York and help its diverse population of family caregivers. We are also so excited to help additional family caregivers in the state with our Spanish content, chat rooms, mental health offerings and content about caring for kids. The New York Caregiving Portal is inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all.” AgingNY Executive Director Becky Preve said, “Family caregivers are on the front lines of New York’s caring economy. Our imperative is to arm them with the resources to do this honorable work confidently by providing information about evidence-based best-practices and community supports that are available to help. The New York Caregiving portal, powered by Trualta, is making this possible. I encourage all New York caregivers to explore the benefits of this free resource by enrolling today.” |
NYSOFA and Partners Urge Employer Participation in Working Caregivers Campaign
Campaign includes a survey to assess impacts on individuals balancing work with caregiving, along with a business guide and resources | |
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and partner agencies have launched a Working Caregivers initiative to address the unique stresses experienced by individuals who are balancing work with a caregiving role for family, friends, or neighbors.
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New York State Department of Health and State Office for the Aging Announce Survey to Gather Public Input and Help Shape State Master Plan for Aging
Survey to Inform Needs and Priorities in the Development of MPA Policies and Strategies | |
ALBANY, N.Y. (October 11, 2023) – The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) today announced a statewide public survey to help shape the state’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) strategies and priorities. Older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those who provide care for older New Yorkers and people with disabilities are encouraged to take this survey and share their input on how the MPA can best serve their needs “I encourage all older New Yorkers, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers to take the Master Plan for Aging Survey, as input from the public is essential to ensuring the implementation of Governor Kathy Hochul’s visionary roadmap to guide us in addressing the challenges we all face as we age,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “This survey will help ensure we continue to address the most pressing needs of older and disabled New Yorkers while we build a better system of supports to help overcome obstacles and empower every New Yorker to live healthy, dignified lives.” |
LA JARA WAY In Westchester Square
By Robert Press
There was a sea of blue at the corner of East Tremont Avenue and St. Raymond Avenue in Westchester Square, as the corner was to be co-named for the Latin New York City Police band La Jara. La Jara is a band made up of NYPD officers who come from various Latin American countries.
Captain Alexander Cedillo formed the band in 2013, and when he is not busy at work in the 63rd Precinct he is thinking of music. He said the band which is ten years old has members from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico. La Jara plays Salsa and Merengue, are all volunteers who play as a community service and do not charge any fee for their performances.
On hand for the street co-naming were NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania I. Kinsella, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, 45th Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Johnny A. Orellana, Members of LA JARA and other police officers, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, Westchester BID Executive Director Jasmin Cruz who was the emcee of the event, and others.
Emergency Food
Food Help NYC: You can pick up food packages at a food pantry or get a meal at a soup kitchen. Find Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens near you.
Mount Vernon & Westchester Food Resources:
Feeding Westchester Mobile Food Pantry and Fresh Market Schedule (Please note the dates in this schedule are subject to change or cancellation.)
Find food pantries and other meal programs in Westchester County.
Butler Monthly Food Distribution
Our office partners with Butler Memorial United Methodist Church and NY Common Pantry to host regular food distributions every first and third Wednesday monthly at 3920 Paulding Avenue, Bronx, NY 10466 (food pick-up on the corner of 233rd St & Paulding Avenue) from 1pm – 3:30pm, while supplies last. Contact 718-902-6921 for more information.
Food Benefit Programs
You can get help paying for groceries by enrolling in a food assistance program.
SNAP (Food Stamps) helps people with limited income buy food. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.
Food for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides pregnant women, mothers, and young children with healthy food and support services for prenatal care, breastfeeding, and nutrition.
Meals for Older Adults
If you are age 60 or older, you can also visit a Senior Center for hot group meals served at the center or, if offered, a grab and go meal or sign up for the Home Delivered Meals for Older Adults program if eligible. If you are a senior that has difficulty preparing meals, you may be able to receive nutritionally balanced home-delivered meals funded by the Department for the Aging (DFTA). Aging Connect is the New York City Department for the Aging’s information and referral contact center for older adults and their families. To reach Aging Connect, call 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) to learn more or to request home delivered meals for a senior or call 311.
Note: If you are living with HIV/AIDS, cancer or other life-altering illnesses, you may be able to receive customized home-delivered meals from God’s Love We Deliver.
Free Monthly Food Packages for Seniors
Nourish offers free, nutritious foods to adults aged 60 years of age and older who have a New York state address and meet financial eligibility requirements. Most seniors who qualify for SNAP will be eligible for Nourish. Once a senior is signed up, they can receive a food package on a monthly basis. Food packages include a variety of foods, such as milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. Once each month you or your proxy will pick up your food at a convenient food distribution site. Please call Nourish at 917-982-2564 for more information.
Silver Corps - New Employment Program for Older Adults
Silver Corps is a new workforce development pilot program for older New Yorkers that will increase financial mobility among older adults, combat ageism in the workforce, and fill employment needs in local communities. To become a Silver Corps program participant, New York City residents must be at least 55 years of age, currently unemployed or underemployed, willing to participate in skills training and specialized certification program, and volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per week at a nonprofit or city agency. To learn more about participating in the Silver Corps program, older New Yorkers can call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or email silvercorps@aging.nyc.gov.
Consumer Alert: The NYS Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers of Text Scams Involving Fake Bank Fraud Alerts
Phishing Scams Work When Someone Poses as a Representative of a Financial Institution to Steal Your Personal and Financial Information
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez says, “Anyone Who Receives Unsolicited Dubious Text Messages Should Delete Them Right Away”
Watch Video Here
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today warned New Yorkers of a text phishing scheme targeting cell phone users with an attempt to steal their information. Fraudsters are impersonating financial institutions claiming that a customer’s account is compromised ‘due to unusual activity’, but the message is an attempt to deceive the recipient into sharing personal information.
These scams usually work when someone poses as a representative of a bank or financial institution to get information such as your credit card number, bank account number, or social security number. This is known as phishing. The message usually asks the users to confirm their account information, make a payment, or claim a prize. The link may also ask the users to click on the link inside the text, which directs them to a phony site that looks like the financial institution’s website, or it may install malware onto their device. The illicit text message shown below impersonates a bank in an attempt to gain access to personal information. Anyone who receives a fraudulent text message should delete the message right away.
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “With the advances in technology, unscrupulous individuals are becoming more creative in how to steal your personal information which can result in identity theft and serious financial hardship. Anyone who receives unsolicited dubious text messages should delete them right away. The Division of Consumer Protection works tirelessly to make people aware of schemes such as the phishing texts trying to steal your financial and personal information with just a click on a fraudulent link.”
New York State Chief Information Officer Angelo “Tony” Riddick said, “One of the most common online scams is phishing—an attempt to solicit personal information from users by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. The Consumer Alert today warning of text scams involving fake bank fraud informs New Yorkers to remain vigilant by deleting the fraudulent text message immediately. The public should always remember the importance of protecting their personal data from cyber criminals. ITS continues to provide a wide variety of helpful cyber tips for the public, online safety resources and real-time advisories that can help safeguard against cybercrime.”
Superintendent of Financial Services Adrienne A. Harris said, “Phishing scams regularly exploit the trust built between an individual and a financial institution to obtain highly sensitive information, which can be used to steal your identity or your hard-earned money. Cyber threats can take many different forms, targeting both consumers and businesses directly. DFS will continue working with regulated financial institutions to monitor cybersecurity trends and implement best practices to ensure consumer data is safeguarded from malicious actors.”
New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “We urge all New Yorkers to take extreme caution if they receive any type of correspondence from a financial institution requesting personal information or that an account has been compromised. Even if a text message or website looks valid, do not provide any information without confirmation. We want to remind people to contact their financial institution first and to check statements regularly to ensure they are not a victim of fraud. The State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and hold accountable those who prey on innocent people.”
To help protect against phishing or smishing (SMS phishing) scams, the NYS Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Division of Consumer Protection recommend the following precautions:
The things to remember the next time you receive an unsolicited text message from a bank or financial institution:
- Inspect the sender’s information to confirm that the message was generated from a legitimate source, but don’t click on the link or call the number on the text.
- Do not respond to the text. Even writing STOP will let the scammer know your number is genuine, and they may sell your number to other scammers, making the problem worse.
- Remember, banks will never ask you to provide confidential information through text. Requests to do so, as well as poor spelling or grammar, are telltale signs of a scam.
- If you are suspicious, call the alleged bank or financial institution directly to understand the protocols for alerting customers of potential fraud.
- Do Not post sensitive information online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to a cybercriminal for use in developing a potential attack or scams.
- Keep an eye out for misspelled words which are used to bypass a phone carrier’s filter system for fraud.
One simple method for preventing spam texts is to block unknown senders from your cell phone:
- Go to settings on your phone
- Click on messages or block numbers (depending on your phone type)
- Hit “Filter Unknown Senders” or tap on “Block Numbers” (depending on your phone type)
For more information on phishing scams, as well as steps to mitigate a phishing attempt, visit the NYS Office of Information Technology Services Phishing Awareness resources page at https://its.ny.gov/
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. You may contact The Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220 on Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays. You may also file a consumer complaint any time at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-
For more consumer protection tips, follow the
Golden ticket
St. Helena School Grade 2 read “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” At the end of reading, we enjoyed the original movie, and Mrs Seabrook hid 6 Golden tickets on the 3rd floor of the school. The 6 winners in grade 2 enjoyed a special lunch from McDonald’s at the teacher’s treat
NYCHA Releases Climate Adaptation Plans for Addressing Extreme Weather Hazards
The strategic plans informed by NYCHA’s climate resiliency work on developments affected by Hurricane Sandy takes a three-pronged approach to retrofitting buildings against rising sea levels, hotter temperatures, and heavier rainfalls expected in the coming decades
NEW YORK – Today, NYCHA announced the release of three major reports outlining the Authority’s approach to protecting its portfolio of 2,198 buildings against three weather trends expected to more significantly affect the New York City metropolitan region as a result of changing climate hazards. An expanded flood zone from rising sea levels, hotter annual temperatures, and heavier downpours – among other inclement conditions – are increasing the risk to maintaining public housing.
Climate Change at NYCHA; NYCHA’s Urban Forest; and Flood Resilience at NYCHA — distill the lessons learned and institutional knowledge gained from nine years of resilience work repairing and protecting 200 of the most severely damaged buildings affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Over $2.4 billion in funding mostly from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been invested to better protect NYCHA’s buildings, public grounds, and power equipment from the impacts of future storms.
“As we continue to make the necessary upgrades that will improve the quality of NYCHA housing for our residents, we must also remain focused on protecting our buildings against climate-induced vulnerabilities,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “Incorporating resiliency planning in our capital work will enable us to be better prepared for this new reality.”
“NYCHA is working proactively to prepare for extreme weather hazards by analyzing where and how a changing climate will affect NYCHA residents and properties, and by developing strategies to reduce resulting risks,” said NYCHA EVP of Capital Projects Steven Lovci. “We aren’t waiting to meet the massive challenges that will be created by global warming head-on.”
”NYCHA is setting the standard across the country’s real estate industry to proactively plan for climate change. I commend NYCHA’s leadership to prepare New York City’s public housing residents for a hotter and wetter future,“ said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency. “The reports released today exemplify the City’s approach to climate resiliency by centering climate justice, considering the multiple threats posed by climate change, and focusing on people, buildings and campuses to create multiple layers of resiliency.”
“Safe, affordable housing is essential for the health of all New Yorkers, especially as we face more extreme weather due to climate change,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Structural racism is at the root of decades of disinvestment in public housing, making NYCHA home to more Black and Latinx New Yorkers than any other housing type. These plans will not only further climate justice, but also contribute to our City’s efforts to end racism as a public health crisis.”
The design of our built environment is first and foremost concerned with the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The American Institute of Architects and its state and local components believe access to safe, affordable, sustainable, and resilient housing is a fundamental right, and the three comprehensive reports developed by NYCHA and its stakeholders honor the commitment to those values,” said Illya Azaroff, President of the New York State Chapter for the American Insitute of Architects. “As president of AIA New York State, and as a past co-chair of the AIA New York Committee on Risk and Reconstruction, I extend my thanks and gratitude to NYCHA’s staff and leadership, and commend them on their proactive approach to collaborating with the design community on these reports. We must continue to work together as a collective to advocate for transformational investments in our physical and social infrastructure to improve the lives of all New Yorkers and safeguard life and property in the face of global climate change.”
Resiliency planning is central to the strategies outlined in the Climate Change at NYCHA Plan. If current projections hold, more than one-third of NYCHA buildings will be located within the city’s floodplain by 2100. To combat this challenge, the Authority will look to house vital mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment in raised annexes, and install additional backup generators to ensure that power at NYCHA campuses is protected.
The report outlines a two-pronged approach for addressing higher annual temperatures: increasing NYCHA’s tree canopy cover and other passive cooling strategies and expanding access to reliable indoor cooling systems. NYCHA is the second-largest owner of greenspace in New York City, which has shown a demonstrable effect on cooling campuses during the summer months. As such, a plan is underway to both increase the amount of tree plantings at campuses with less tree cover and elevate tree care throughout campuses. Inside apartments, the Authority is working toward expanding access to cooling. NYCHA has piloted a variety of technologies with the goal of integrating reliable cooling into planned retrofits of heating systems.
The arrival of Tropical Storm Ida this past August highlighted the challenges posed by heavier rainfall , with several NYCHA campuses in Queens and the Bronx experiencing significant impacts. By 2050, experts predict that intense rainstorms that would have occurred every 50 years will happen every five years. NYCHA’s strategy for adapting to heavier and more frequent rain is centered on shoring up the Authority’s existing stormwater management systems while investing in green infrastructure to better absorb heavy rainfall.
Common features of stormwater management systems include porous materials, which let rainwater penetrate through concrete, pavers, or other materials and seep into the ground rather than running off; and resilient plantings such as native grasses that do not need to be mowed and increase the amount of water that soils can absorb. The Authority is also in the process of developing several multi-functional infrastructure demonstration projects, such as a sunken basketball court at South Jamaica Houses and a sunken water square at Clinton Houses to offer the added benefit of increasing sub-surface water retention while serving as a public amenity.
In addition to preparing for additional weather hazards exacerbated by climate change, such as rising groundwater and extreme winds, the Climate Change at NYCHA report also highlights the concept of “Social Resilience,” which refers to the ability of a community to reasonably recover from inclement weather challenges. For example, research on social resilience has shown that strong community connections can actually reduce heat-related deaths, because those who know their neighbors and have safe, comfortable places to go are more likely to leave hot apartments during extreme heat or reach out to neighbors for help.
Key goals of NYCHA’s social resiliency planning include continuing to work with a Climate Action Network composed of residents who give input on NYCHA’s resilience and sustainability initiatives, as well as retrofitting community spaces to serve as resiliency hubs during a time of emergency.
Recently, the newly opened event space, Morris Park Performing Arts Center at Jacobi (Jacobi Hospital’s Bldg. 4 auditorium) hosted an amazing event for its community and partners.
NIDC excitedly co-sponsored a viewing of the Polar Express with Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez in partnership with the Morris Park Community Association.
Conductors invited our families aboard the Polar Express experience with a hot cup of chocolate, their preferred toppings and cookies provided by NIDC’s very own elves and chefs.
The event took place on Saturday, December 17, 2022.
NIDC thanks Santa for carving time from his busy schedule, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez and the Morris Park Association for their partnership. Keep an eye on our website (www.nidcny.org) for more NIDC events.
“It was great to gather as a community during the holiday season to enjoy the movie and warmed hot cocoa. It was the first time in a long time that the season felt so festive. We were so happy to see families enjoy themselves. We even had a great turnout with elected officials. It makes me look forward to the other NIDC events to come in 2023!” – Toni Faiella-Salas, Director for Elementary Programs at NIDC.
NIDC’s mission is to prepare youth for a successful future and help build thriving communities. Their youth development services include after school programs for students in grades K – 12, summer camp, nightly teen center, and support for Out-of-School Youth. They also support the community through benefits access support, financial literacy programming, landlord/tenant mediation, eviction prevention, vaccine education, mental health awareness, support community groups, and other community development activities and resources..
For additional information and for upcoming events please contact: Amy Shebar, Associate Executive Director, via hello@nidcny.org. Upcoming community events can be found at http://nidcny.org/
Recent Reporting on COVID Supply Auctions Included Significant Inaccuracies, Lacked Context
Auctions Featured Non-Medical Grade Items Purchased for 80% Less than Reported
NEW YORK – The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) today issued the following statement on inaccurate reporting by news outlet The City on the City of New York’s auctions of surplus non-medical grade supplies originally purchased for COVID-19 response efforts.
“Recent reporting indicated that $224.5 million worth of COVID supplies were auctioned by the city for pennies on the dollar. After a thorough review, we determined these numbers were inaccurately calculated by a reporter who refused to wait for a proper calculation by DCAS. After the analysis was completed, we took this information to the reporter who refused to make changes to his story. In reality, the items sold at auction were non-medical grade and many items up for auction were nearing expiration dates. To be clear, this distorted reporting did a disservice to the facts and the dedicated public servants who succeeded in obtaining emergency supplies amidst a once-in-a-century pandemic.” – Nick Benson, DCAS Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs
The Facts:
- The items sold at auction were originally purchased for $42,421,625, just 18.9% of the $224,504,000 figure the reporter inaccurately claimed.
- The items sold at auction were non-medical grade. When medical-grade supplies were difficult to come by amidst collapsing supply chains in early 2020, some non-medical grade supplies were purchased as a stop-gap measure and held in reserves as supply chain issues resolved.
- The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, NYC Health + Hospitals, and others advised that these non-medical grade supplies are no longer needed with medical-grade supplies now widely available.
· Some of the items up for auction were nearing expiration dates and the only alternative to donating or auctioning items was to destroy them. Over 17 million items were previously donated to Ukraine, Indonesia, Ghana, Haiti, South Africa, and more than two dozen local community-based organizations/non-profits to support others in need and avoid waste. Some items that haven’t been donated have been placed for auction to recover as much revenue as possible for taxpayers. Because the global COVID supply market is flooded with
excess supplies being sold by governments all over the world, sale prices are a fraction of what governments had to pay at the beginning of the pandemic amidst extremely limited supplies and failed leadership at the federal level.
· If the City opted not to donate or auction non-expiring items, it would have to pay to warehouse non-medical grade items that medical professionals advised are no longer needed.
About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
- Managing 55 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES RECOGNIZES SEPTEMBER AS ‘NATIONAL KINSHIP CARE MONTH’ RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVES & FRIENDS WHO HAVE STEPPED FORWARD TO CARE FOR NYC CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
As the City Foster Care Population Continues to Decline, the Proportion of Those Being Cared For By Relatives & Friends Continues to Grow
Approximately 44 Percent of Youth in NYC Foster Care Are Being Cared for By People They Already Know
NEW YORK– The New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) today recognized “Kinship Care Awareness Month” by spotlighting the city’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and close friends who have stepped up to become kinship caregivers to children in foster care. ACS has dramatically reduced the number of children in New York City’s foster care system while increasing the proportion of youth in care placed with kinship caregivers. Research shows that, when placed with people they already know, children in foster care experience less trauma, and have greater overall well-being.
“Kinship caregivers are the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and countless others who continue to step up and care for children in need,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Today we say thank you. ACS is working hard to ensure these New Yorkers are recognized for their commitment to the health and stability of New York City’s children and families.”
“September provides us with an opportunity to recognize the crucial role kinship caregivers, like grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends play in providing stable and loving homes for children, but we are grateful to them all year long,” said ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “I’m proud of the work ACS has done to reduce the number of children in New York City’s foster care system while increasing the proportion of youth in care placed with kinship caregivers.”
As a result of ACS’s targeted strategies and initiatives, 44 percent of children in New York City’s foster care system are living with kinship caregivers – up from 31% in 2018. Moreover, during FY23, more than half of all the children who entered foster care as a result of a child protective investigation were placed with kinship caregivers.
The agency has successfully implemented multiple strategies to increase the proportion of children in care placed with kin, including by establishing Kinship Specialist positions within the ACS Division of Child Protection, who focus on finding and engaging kin caregivers for children entering foster care. When a kinship resource is identified, the foster care case planner works with the resource to certify their home as a foster home. Kin are held to the same safety standards and training expectations as non-kin foster parents and must meet all foster home requirements. They receive the same financial resources and other supports that non-kinship foster parents receive. ACS and its community partners strive to support kin so that children can stay closely connected to their natural support networks.
NEW STUDY FROM NYC ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES SHOWS HOW “PARENT ADVOCACY INITIATIVE” HAS IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
When Parent Advocates with Lived Experience in the Child Welfare System Supported Parents in Child Safety Conferences, ACS Saw Improvements in Well-being Outcomes for Children
NEW YORK, NY – Today, the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) announced key findings from a new study that suggests that the Parent Advocacy Initiative in initial child safety conferences is helping to improve outcomes for children and families. Utilizing this research, ACS has released a concept paper to seek feedback in preparation for the upcoming Parent Advocate Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate Parent Advocacy programs. The concept paper lays out a vision to build on the current model and scale enhancements that were found to improve outcomes, including expanded Parent Advocate involvement and support, family-driven service plans, and strengthened linkages between Parent Advocates in different ACS program areas.
The Parent Advocacy Initiative is a peer support program in which parents with prior experience in the child welfare system offer advocacy and support to parents currently involved in the child welfare system. In New York City, Parent Advocates participate in Initial Child Safety Conferences, meetings in which family members and child protective specialists (CPS) at ACS discuss safety concerns in the home and identify the best safety plan for the child. The recently published study revealed that, with the Parent Advocacy Initiative in place, ACS saw a significant increase in the conference attendance by parents in comparison with the past; a reduction in child removals; and an increased use of kinship care for children who had to be removed due to safety concerns.
“We are excited by the results of this new study, which reinforce our belief that having Parent Advocates providing support to parents as we work to assure child safety can be of significant benefit to children and families. Parent Advocates have walked in the shoes of those currently involved in the child welfare system, and their lived experience can help empower and better engage parents during one of the most challenging times of their lives. We will continue to elevate the voices of parents and incorporate Parent Advocates into all parts of our agency, because we are confident that it will result in better outcomes for children and families in New York City,” said ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell.
“Parent Advocates possess a unique ability to understand the perspectives of parents and offer supports, promote family engagement in case decision-making, and encourage participation in services. Parent advocacy and support programs have been gaining attention in child welfare, and the growing body of empirical evidence on such programs have demonstrated that the inclusion of a Parent Advocate enhances the family-centered practice and has the potential to improve outcomes for children and families while giving voice to parents and communities most impacted by the system,” said Dr. Marina Lalayants of the Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, The City University of New York.
“Parent Advocates are not only trained in child welfare policy, but they have previous experience navigating the child welfare system, and so the support and expertise they offer to the families we work with is invaluable. As this study suggests, the Parent Advocacy Initiative is having a positive impact on children and families and truly represents a culture shift within the New York City child welfare system. I look forward to its continued success,” said Sabra Jackson, Parent Engagement Specialist at ACS.
The Parent Advocacy Initiative in Initial Child Safety Conferences is a type of peer/parent support program that became operational in New York City in December 2013. ACS works with non-profit organizations to recruit, train and employ these parent advocates across all boroughs.
Parent Advocates offer services such as support to parents in preparation for and during the child safety conference by helping them to be informed about their rights and responsibilities within the child welfare system, gain awareness of the child welfare concerns and understand and navigate the child welfare system. This initiative builds upon the work happening at ACS to address racial disproportionality across the child welfare system. ACS has prioritized initiatives that help strengthen parents’ voice and success and is currently implementing its Equity Action Plan, which is designed to address racial disparities across the child welfare system.
A recently published study in the Children and Youth Services Review titled, “Outcomes of the Parent Advocacy Initiative in Child Safety Conferences: Placement and Repeat Maltreatment,” examined the impact of the child safety conferences on case outcomes of families served by parent advocates. Specifically, the study researched cases receiving Parent Advocate intervention over a period of the 2016 calendar year and compared it to pre-intervention cases from the 2013 calendar year and cases from the 2016 calendar year that did not receive the parent advocate intervention. The study results revealed a significant increase in the conference attendance by parents in comparison with the past. Furthermore, the results of the study revealed that the Parent Advocacy Initiative contributed to the reduction of child removals, as a result, more children remained at home with parents. For children who had to be removed due to safety concerns, the study results also showed an increased use of kinship care, or children being placed with relatives and close friends as opposed to non-relative foster parents. Finally, the rates of indicated repeat maltreatment remained unchanged, suggesting that the initiative did not result in compromised child safety.
The Parent Advocate Initiative at Initial Child Safety Conferences builds on the agency’s continued work to incorporate Parent Advocates into decision making processes across the child welfare system. Last year, ACS announced the “Parents Supporting Parents” initiative which provides Parent Advocates to support, inform and mentor parents with children currently in foster care. ACS aims to scale this approach across the foster care system so that every parent with a goal of reunifying with their child has an assigned parent advocate, in order to increase safe and timely reunification of families with children in foster care. ACS will continue to identify new ways to incorporate Parent Advocates across all of its programs.
CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides Tips to Avoid Door-to-Door Scams
Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics
Secretary Rodriguez: “To help you better understand how you can protect yourself, our Division of Consumer Protection is providing practical tips to help you identify a potential door-to-door scammer and avoid being cheated out of your hard-earned money.”
For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing New Yorkers tips to help avoid door-to-door scams. Summer and warmer weather often bring out more door-to-door scammers. These scammers impersonate legitimate salespeople and knock on your door offering to sell a product or service, but their primary goal is to steal from you. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
“Many businesses rely on door-to-door sales, but it can be hard to know if the next time the doorbell rings it is a legitimate salesperson or a scammer,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “To help you better understand how you can protect yourself, our Division of Consumer Protection is providing practical tips to help you identify a potential door-to-door scammer and avoid being cheated out of your hard-earned money.”
Door-to-door scams have been around for years and are among the most common scams against older adults. Door-to-door scammers disguise themselves as employees with uniforms and badges or as college students employed in a part-time job. They often trick consumers into providing personal information or money. In some cases, they may even distract your attention so that their accomplice can sneak into your home to steal from you. To avoid getting cheated, below are a few examples and tips to avoid this type of scam.
Common Types of Door-to-Door Scams:
- Fake Solar Energy Providers: These imposters try to take advantage of consumers that are looking for sustainable power to fuel their homes and try to convince you to sign “enrollment forms” or “applications” with the attempt to steal personal information or perpetuate other fraudulent activities.
- Fake Utility Representatives: Fraudsters may pose as utility workers and say there’s a utility emergency they need to inspect. Many burglars work in pairs, as one gains your attention, the other sneaks into your home and steals. Ignore any “utility representative” that requests access to your home without scheduling with you in advance. Utility companies generally send a letter in advance to alert residents if they need access to their home or building.
- Home Improvement Scammers: Most good contractors are too busy to seek business at your front door. Be wary of contractors that knock on your door offering repairs or home improvement projects at a “bargain price” or because they have extra supplies left over from another project in your neighborhood. These scammers may be quick to disappear if the homeowner provides any type of payment upfront.
- Asphalt Paving Scam: Be wary of paving contractors who say they just happened to be in the neighborhood or have asphalt left over from another job. Reputable asphalt contractors know with great accuracy how much material they need to finish a job and don’t usually have any left over. These scammers may offer to pave your driveway for a deal that seems too good to be true, then once the work is finished, try to charge a higher price than originally quoted. The materials and workmanship are often very low quality leaving the homeowner with a failing or crumbling driveway, but by then, the scammer is long gone. Asphalt scammers may also begin to pave over or tear up your old driveway without your knowledge or permission, then demand a high payment. If that happens, call the police immediately.
- Fake Home Security Reps: According to the Federal Trade Commission, some fraudsters may come to your home to make fake home security offers. You’ll know it’s a scam if they claim that there have been several robberies in your neighborhood and they’re offering free security inspections. It’s also a sign of a scam if they say that they are there to upgrade or replace your existing security system or claim that your security company has gone out of business.
Tips to Avoid Door-to-Door Scams:
- Research the business: Most jurisdictions require that door-to-door solicitors obtain a license from the Municipal Clerk, Police Department or local consumer protection agency and carry a government-issued identification card. Some local laws regulate the hours when door-to-door solicitation can be conducted. Look for your local law. Just click on New York State and select your local government from the list provided to access the search page. (Hint: a good search term is “solicit.”)
- Ask for identification: Always check the credentials of unknown callers and do not phone the number on the ID card, instead confirm that the number is legitimate by checking the company’s online website.
- Know the difference between a legitimate salesperson and a scammer. Legitimate salespeople will:
- Identify themselves immediately and have a photo identification in sight.
- Not use high-pressure sales tactics.
- Respect a consumer’s right to end the conversation or transaction at any time.
- Give you time to do your research.
- Explain verbally and in writing the cancellation policy.
- Provide information about the offer/product in writing.
- Follow general safety precautions:
- Always keep front and back doors locked.
- Never pay in cash. A check or credit card payment may be cancelled online or by calling your bank’s customer service line.
- Report any suspicious callers or activity to the police immediately.
- Know your rights. If you buy from a door-to-door seller and quickly regret it, know that under New York State law, consumers have three business days to opt out of a door-to-door sales contract. Sellers must provide written notification of the right to cancel. Additionally, federal lawallows you three business days to cancel and get a full refund on most purchases of $25 or more that are made in your home.
Consumer Alert: The Department of State and Division of Consumer Protection Warn of Fraudulent Letter Scheme Impersonating the Secretary of State
Scammers Create Fictitious Certificates Claiming to be from the Secretary of State
Matter is Under Investigation by NY Attorney General
The New York State Department of State and the Division of Consumer Protection today warned New Yorkers of a fraudulent letter scheme. These illegitimate letters have the heading “Executive Letter of Guarantee” and claim that recipients are due to receive a large payment, supposedly being held by the Department of State, to settle debts relating to the sale of timeshares.
The letters, which include a fraudulent signature from New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado and illicit use of the New York State seal, are not genuine and were not issued by the Secretary of State.
The following image is a sample of the letter sent:
The Department of State has referred the matter to the New York State Attorney General to investigate these fictious certificates for possible criminal prosecution. Anyone who has received a similar letter should immediately report it to the New York Attorney General’s Office at the following address: Real Estate Enforcement Unit, NY State Office of the Attorney General, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005.
To help protect against these types of scams, the Division of Consumer Protection recommends the following tips:
- Exercise caution with all communications you receive, including those that appear to be from a trusted entity.
- Inspect the sender’s information to confirm the message was generated from a legitimate source – be suspicious if the reply to address is different from the sending address.
- Independently verify the entity’s contact information through an online search engine.
- Consider calling the sender at a known good number, not listed within the communication, to confirm they sent the communication.
The Division reminds New Yorkers that government entities will never partner with for profit businesses to solicit consumers hard earned dollars. The Department of State actively responds to the needs of the New Yorkers who engage its services, and will never send consumers solicitations for engagement in the mail.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-
Monday June 19 at 7:00PM Special Guests Take 6, Joseph Joubert, The String Queens, and More Come Together for Free Event in Honor of Historic Day
(NEW YORK, NY; May 17, 2023)—On Monday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m., the Healing of the Nations Institute of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference in association with Carnegie Hall presents a free, annual Juneteenth Celebration event in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Juneteenth honors the beginning of our nation’s true independence—the freedom for all members of the reunited nation after the American Civil War. More than 400 years after the first enslaved African people were brought to the North American colonies, the fight for justice and equity continues. For a fifth consecutive year at Carnegie Hall, the Juneteenth Celebration recognizes this historic day, while acknowledging the long road that still lies ahead.Hosted by Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister Emeritus, Riverside Church & President and Founder, Healing of the Nations Foundation, and featuring Rev. Mark A. Thompson with a Statement of Occasion, this powerful event of commentary and performance features special guest artists including 10-time Grammy Award winning a cappella group Take 6, pianist Joseph Joubert, dynamic trio The String Queens, intergenerational vocal ensemble Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble, critically acclaimed dance company Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, Academy and Grammy Award-nominated youth ensemble IMPACT Repertory Theatre Performance Company, and the Poet Laureate of the 2023 New York State Gubernatorial Inaugural Ceremonies Kayden Hern. Honorees will include distinguished human rights lawyer and activist Gay McDougall; influential leader and teacher of nonviolence Rev. Dr. James M. Lawson Jr.; and internationally celebrated human rights organization The Carter Center.
“In light of the polarization and division we see in our society today, we are at a point in history where an event like Juneteenth helps us recognize our unity amidst our ethnic diversity. We come together to remember the awful horrors of the past, but to indicate that this will no longer characterize us as a people. How blessed America is to have a national holiday commemorating freedom and justice at a time we so desperately need to renew our passion for democracy. Juneteenth is a God-given call to reclaim the true meaning of the American dream and celebrate a new future,” says Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. |
About Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr.Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. is the recipient of fourteen honorary degrees, including D.D. degrees from Princeton University, Trinity College, Colgate University, and University of Richmond. In 1996, Newsweek recognized Reverend Forbes as one of the twelve “most effective preachers” in the English-speaking world. Union Theological Seminary named him the first Harry Emerson Fosdick Adjunct Professor of Preaching in 1989, the same year he was installed as fifth senior minister of Riverside Church in New York City. His installment rendered him the first African American senior minister of one of the largest multicultural and interdenominational congregations in the United States. Following his address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, Forbes led an interfaith rally and demonstration at Riverside Church as part of the Church’s Mobilization 2004 campaign. In 2007, he formed the Healing of the Nations Foundation, a non-partisan, non-profit, national ministry of healing and spiritual revitalization.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONAll American Freedom Day: Renewing Passion for Freedom and DemocracyRev. Dr. James A Forbes Jr., HostRev. Mark A. Thompson, Statement of OccasionTake 6Joseph Joubert, PianoThe String QueensEbony Ecumenical EnsembleJamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of BrooklynIMPACT Repertory Theatre Performance CompanyKayden Hern, Poet Laureate of the 2023 New York State Gubernatorial Inaugural Ceremonieswith HonoreesGay McDougallRev. Dr. James M. Lawson Jr.The Carter CenterPresented by the Healing of the Nations Institute of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference in association with Carnegie Hall.Lead support for Carnegie Hall Citywide is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Hearst Foundations.
NYSOFA, AgingNY and Blooming Health Partner to Strengthen Older New Yorkers' Access to Community-based Aging Services
Initial partnership offers access to Blooming Health platform through select group of county offices for the aging to engage 10,000 older adults in their communities
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Association on Aging in New York (AgingNY) have partnered with Blooming Health to improve older adults’ awareness and connection to community-based aging services via an inclusive, digital engagement platform being made available through a select group of county-based offices for the aging. Greg Olsen, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging, said: “NYSOFA is proud to play a role in the digital evolution of services and outreach to older adults. Our partnerships with innovative technology solutions have connected hundreds of thousands of older adults to combat social isolation while also providing evidence-based tools to help individuals caring for loved ones, and so much more. Blooming Health is a unique digital platform in that it will help enhance, extend, and better coordinate services that aging services providers are already delivering in their communities. NYSOFA is thrilled to work with a select group of offices for the aging to utilize this powerful technology and develop best practices that could potentially expand this partnership in the future.” |
This year, the Archdiocese of New York will celebrate the jubilee of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican Republic. Their episcopal conference has extended an invitation for the archdiocese to take part in the celebration which will be held in the Dominican Republic from August 2021 through August 2022. The pilgrim image will be hosted at St. Helena’s under the coordination of Father David Powers, Sch.P. and the archdiocesan Our Lady of Altagracia committee. The bilingual opening Mass will take place on Saturday, April 23 at 12:15PM, and the image will remain at St. Helena until Friday, April 29 following the 12:15PM Mass. All are welcome to attend and to come to St. Helena to venerate the image.
The Community Flood Action Toolkit is a new resource from the team at FloodHelpNY. This toolkit provides high-level information about flood insurance and retrofits.
The toolkit is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, and Haitian Creole.
Link to toolkit and more information: Flood Risk Is Rising | News and Info on Flooding | FloodHelpNY.org
Social Security Matters by Russell Gloor, National Social Security Advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens
Ask Rusty
Older Husband and Working Wife Seek Guidance
Dear Rusty: I am 74 years old, retired and receiving Social Security. My wife will be 65 in January of 2025. Our hope was to start paying off some credit card expense by her receiving SS when she turns 65, however it appears there would be a substantial reduction to her benefits. Her work income is $37,500 a year, and she wasn’t planning on retiring from work at age 65. Because I am 11 years older, we felt it makes sense to use her Social Security as a means to lower our debt. We have $27,000 in credit card debt, and I don’t really want to use my 401(k) funds due to taxes. We pretty much live on my Social Security and pension. Signed: Seeking Suggestions
Dear Seeking: Your wife’s full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security purposes is age 67. Because she will not yet have reached her FRA in January 2025 (when she is 65), if she claims SS to start at that time, not only will her monthly amount be reduced, but she will be subject to Social Security’s annual earnings test. The earnings test sets a limit for how much can be earned by beneficiaries who claim SS before FRA.
The earnings limit for 2024 is $22,320. The limit for next year is not yet published (it’s based on changes to the national wage index) but will be a bit higher – likely about $23,500. Thus, I can’t provide the exact impact, but if your wife’s 2025 earnings exceed next year’s limit, Social Security will take back $1 in benefits for every $2 over the limit (half of the amount over the limit). So, if your wife earns $37,500 per year, that will likely be about $14,000 over the limit and Social Security will take back half of that ($7,000). They “take back” by withholding future benefits, or you can repay them in a lump sum. So, you will have a choice – repay Social Security from your other assets, or they will withhold your wife’s SS benefits for the number of months needed to offset her penalty for exceeding the earnings limit. The number of months they will withhold depends on how much is owed and what your wife’s monthly SS benefit is. For example, if your wife’s age-65 SS benefit is about average ($1,900) and her penalty for exceeding the limit is $7,000, Social Security would withhold your wife’s benefit for 4 months to recover the penalty, but she would receive her full benefit for the remaining 8 months of the year.
Unless your wife tells them in advance that she will exceed the limit, Social Security will find out the following year (after you file your income taxes). But, in any case, your wife cannot avoid the annual earnings test for working before reaching her full retirement age. The earnings test goes away when your wife reaches her FRA of 67. Until that time, if she continues working she will have a choice to have her benefits withheld for a portion of the year, or simply repay Social Security in a lump sum (in which case her benefits would continue uninterrupted).
FYI, there is a silver lining in this, because if your wife has benefits withheld because she exceeds the earnings limit before her FRA, after she reaches her full retirement age Social Security will give her time credit for the months when benefits were withheld, which will result in her monthly Social Security payment amount increasing somewhat at her full retirement age. Thus, over time, your wife may recover the benefits which were withheld for exceeding the annual earnings limit. But to get 100% of the benefit she’s earned from a lifetime of working, and be exempt from Social Security’s earnings limit, she would need to wait until she reaches her FRA to claim.
Can I Claim Social Security and Still Work?
Dear Rusty: I will be turning 63 soon. Can I apply for Social Security and continue to work? Would I be limited to how many hours or how much I could make? I know my monthly SS amount would be cut by 30%, or somewhere around there, but how would working affect me? I was trying to read up on this, but the $1 and $2 thing confused me. I have an offer to take a work-at-home position and need to decide soon, but it is a cut in income. The cut would be okay if I could draw my Social Security too. Signed: Wanting Work at Home
Dear Wanting: If you claim your Social Security to start in the month you turn 63, you’ll be claiming 4 years before your full retirement age (FRA) of 67, which means your monthly benefit at 63 will be about 25% less than it would be if you claimed SS at age 67. And if you are working before your FRA, you’ll be subject to Social Security’s “earnings test.”
The 2024 earnings limit for those collecting early Social Security benefits is $22,320 (this limit changes annually). If your annual earnings exceed the limit, Social Security will assess a penalty of $1 for every $2 you are over the limit. They will recover that penalty amount by withholding future benefits until they recover what you owe. If your work earnings are under the annual limit, you will get all your monthly SS benefits. But if you exceed the limit, they will find that out after you submit your income tax return (the following year) and issue you an overpayment notice, telling you how much you owe for exceeding the limit last year. They will then withhold your benefits until they get back what you owe, or you can repay them in a lump sum. To avoid the overpayment notice, it is best to inform Social Security in advance that you will exceed the annual earnings limit, and they will simply withhold your monthly SS benefits during the year for enough months to avoid overpaying you.
So, what you should do depends largely on how much your earnings from your new work-at-home position will be. If your earnings are below the annual limit, no penalty will be assessed. If you only exceed the annual limit by a little bit, then you can still work and earn and simply repay them what is owed for exceeding the limit (or have your SS benefit temporarily withheld). If you only exceed the earnings limit by a little, you’ll still get benefits for most months of the year. But if you significantly exceed the annual earnings limit, you could even be ineligible to receive SS benefits until you either earn less or reach your full retirement age (the earnings limit goes away at your FRA).
So, what you should do depends on what “a cut in income” means in terms of your expected annual earnings amount. If your total annual earnings will be under the annual limit, your SS benefit won’t be affected. If you only exceed the limit by a little bit, then you will get SS benefits for most months of the year. But if your annual earnings are significantly over each year’s annual earnings limit, then you won’t get SS benefits for most months of the year and may even be temporarily ineligible to receive benefits.
t now will have no effect on the survivor benefit she will get as your future widow.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
When Should my Wife Claim Her Social Security Benefit?
Dear Rusty: I just saw an article which said that certain spousal options were going away, but there are still good options for when a spouse can claim. I am filing for my Social Security to start in October when I turn 70. My wife’s full retirement age (FRA) is in December, and she now plans to file then for half of what my FRA benefit would have been (our original plan was for both to file in August). My wife’s main reason for delaying until her FRA is to lock her into my maximum benefit if she has to someday change to Survivor’s Benefit. Will this be gone for us? Neither of us was born before January 1, 1954. Please advise. Signed: Planning for Both
Dear Planning: I expect that the article you refer to was speaking of the option to claim only a spousal benefit first and allow one’s personal SS retirement benefit to grow. That option was available only to those who were born before 1954 and had reached full retirement age. As you now know that option is not available to you.
Assuming your wife’s highest benefit entitlement will be as your spouse, your current strategy – you claim your maximum benefit to start in October at age 70 and your wife starts her benefit in December at her FRA – is a good one which will yield the maximum possible monthly benefit for both of you. But for clarity, your wife’s survivor benefit as your widow has nothing to do with when she claims her spouse benefits now.
The only thing which will affect your wife’s benefit as your surviving spouse is her age when she claims the survivor benefit. If she has already reached her FRA of 66 years and 8 months when you pass, she will get 100% of the amount you were receiving when you died, instead of the smaller spousal amount she was receiving while you were living. Her survivor benefit would only be less than 100% of yours if she claimed it before reaching her full retirement age (which, of course, we hope would not to be the case).
Just so you have the complete picture, your wife could, if desired, claim her Social Security to start at the same time as you in October but, since that would be earlier than her FRA, the amount she would get would be less than 50% of your FRA entitlement. Her spouse benefit would be reduced by 0.694% for each month earlier than her FRA it starts. For example, if your wife starts her spousal benefit in October when your benefit starts, she will get about 98.6% of the amount she would get if she waited until December to start her benefits. That’s a permanent reduction, so if your wife’s life expectancy is at least average (about 87), it’s likely still wisest for her to wait until her FRA to start benefits. But in any case, when your wife claims her spousal benefit now will have no effect on the survivor benefit she will get as your future widow.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
When Should We Claim Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I am almost 63 and my husband will be 61 soon, and we are looking to see when our best time would be to start our Social Security benefits. We would like to know if one of us qualifies for benefits from a previous marriage from 1984 to 1995. And we are wondering if I can start drawing at age 65, in two years, or if it is better that I wait until 67 because my spouse is 2 years younger than me. Also, if I were to continue working limited hours after 65, what would my earning limit be? Signed: Almost Ready
Dear Almost Ready: The first thing to understand is that full retirement age (FRA) for both of you is 67. If either of you claim before that, your monthly benefit amount will be permanently reduced and, because you are working, you will be subject to Social Security’s “earnings test.”
If you claim your benefit at age 65 your monthly payment will be about 87% of what you would get if you claimed at age 67. If your husband claims at age 62, his benefit will be about 70% of his FRA amount. The only way to get 100% of the benefit you’ve each earned from a lifetime of working is to claim at your FRA. You can choose to claim at age 65 as long as you’re comfortable with the benefit reduction which will occur, and as long as your annual work earnings do not significantly exceed the earnings limit for that year. In any case, when each of you claims will not affect the other’s retirement benefit amount.
Social Security’s “earnings test” for those claiming before FRA sets a limit for how much can be earned before some (or all) benefits are taken away. The earnings limit for 2024 is $22,320, but it changes yearly. If you claim early benefits and your work earnings exceed that year’s limit, Social Security will take away $1 in benefits for every $2 you are over the limit. They take away by withholding future benefits long enough to recover what you owe for exceeding the limit. If you significantly exceed the annual earnings limit, you may be temporarily ineligible to receive SS benefits until you either earn less or reach your FRA (the earnings test no longer applies after you reach your FRA). I cannot predict what the earnings limit will be two years from now, but it will be more than the 2024 limit and published at that time. FYI, in the year you turn 67 your pre-FRA earnings limit will be much higher, and when you reach your FRA the earnings test no longer applies.
Regarding your previous marriage, you cannot receive spousal benefits from an ex-spouse while you are currently married. But when to claim may also be influenced by whether either you or your current spouse will get a spousal benefit from the other. If the FRA (age 67) benefit amount for one of you is more than twice the other’s FRA entitlement, the one with the lower FRA amount will get a ”spousal boost” to their own amount when both of you are collecting.
Spouse benefits reach maximum at one’s FRA, but each person’s personal SS retirement amount will continue to grow if not claimed at FRA. Waiting past FRA to claim allows the SS retirement benefit to grow by 8% per year, up to age 70. So, with an FRA of 67, claiming at age 70 will yield a payment 24% higher than the FRA amount, 76% more than the age 62 amount, and about 37% more than the age 65 amount. But waiting beyond FRA is only smart if financially feasible and life expectancy is at least average (about 84 and 87 respectively for a man and woman your current ages). And, as a general rule, if one’s spousal benefit at FRA (50% of their partner’s FRA entitlement) is highest, then that spouse should claim at FRA to get their maximum benefit.
Veteran Uncertain About Social Security and Healthcare Coverage
Dear Rusty: I’m not sure what I should sign up for in terms of Social Security: I am 64 and I am still employed full time and intend to stay employed until age 70. I am retired from the Navy and receive military retirement payments, and have military TriCare, as well as medical, dental, eye and life insurance through my employer. I don’t want to lose benefits, but I also don’t want to take Social Security until it reaches the maximum at age 70 (I think that is correct?). I will turn 65 in 4 months. Can you advise me? Signed: Uncertain Veteran
Dear Uncertain Veteran: First of all, thank you for your service to our country. From what you’ve shared, and since you’re still working full time, not claiming Social Security yet is a smart decision. If you were born in 1959 your full retirement age (FRA) is 66 years and 10 months and, if you claim SS before your full retirement age, you’ll be subject to Social Security’s earning test which would likely make you ineligible to receive SS benefits at this time.
The 2024 earnings limit (limit changes yearly) when collecting Social Security early is $22,320 and, if that is exceeded, Social Security will take away $1 in benefits for every $2 over the limit (half of what you exceed the limit by). If you significantly exceed the limit, SS will declare you temporarily ineligible to collect SS benefits until you either reach your FRA or earn less. The earnings test no longer applies after you reach your FRA. So, if you’re now employed full time and plan to stay so until age 70, and you expect at least average longevity (about 84 for someone your current age), delaying until age 70 to claim Social Security is how to get your maximum Social Security benefit.
As for your healthcare coverage as a veteran: TriCare requires you to enroll in Medicare Part A (inpatient hospitalization coverage) and Part B (coverage for outpatient services) at age 65, but you do not need to take Social Security when you enroll in Medicare. You must, however, enroll in Medicare at age 65 or you will lose your TriCare (military) healthcare coverage. You could choose to delay enrolling in Medicare at 65 because you have “creditable” employer coverage, but if you do so you will lose your current TriCare coverage and need to rely solely on your employer healthcare plan. In that case, you would still be able to enroll in both Medicare and TriCare-for-Life without penalty prior to your employer coverage ending and have coverage under both programs thereafter. I suggest you contact TriCare directly at 1-866-773-0404 to discuss your personal TriCare coverage after age 65. You can also go to www.TriCare4U.com.
Whenever you enroll, Medicare will be the primary payer of your healthcare costs and TriCare will be the secondary payor. Your vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage would be through TriCare (Medicare does not cover those services) or acquired separately. Just remember, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to have TriCare-for-Life coverage after age 65.
How Do Survivor Benefits Work for a Married Couple?
Dear Rusty: How does Social Security handle the death of one spouse? Say, for example, the husband receives $2,000 per month in Social Security and his wife receives $1,000 per month. How is the death of either spouse handled? Signed: Concerned spouse
Dear Concerned: Benefits to a deceased beneficiary stop as soon as Social Security (SS) is notified of the death (notification usually done by the funeral director who handles arrangements). Benefits are not paid for the month of death, only for the preceding month when the beneficiary was alive for the entire month.
A surviving spouse is entitled to the higher of two benefits – their own personally earned SS retirement benefit, or an amount based on the deceased spouse’s benefit at death. In the example you cite, and assuming the surviving spouse has reached full retirement age (FRA): if the husband dies first the wife will receive the husband’s $2,000 monthly benefit instead of her previous $1,000 amount. But if the wife died first, the husband would continue receiving only his $2,000 monthly amount because that is more than his deceased wife was receiving. Note in either case, the surviving spouse would be entitled to a one-time lump sum “death benefit” of $255.
The surviving spouse would need to contact Social Security to claim the “death benefit” and – unless the surviving spouse was previously receiving only a spousal benefit – also to claim the higher monthly amount, if eligible. If the surviving spouse was previously receiving only a spousal benefit from the deceased (and not entitled to SS retirement benefits on their own), then Social Security would automatically award their higher survivor amount when notified of the death.
If a surviving spouse has reached full retirement age (somewhere between 66 and 67 depending on year of birth) and is eligible for a survivor benefit, the amount of the survivor benefit will be 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit. But if the survivor claims the benefit before reaching FRA, the amount of the survivor benefit will be reduced (by 4.75% for each full year earlier). The survivor’s benefit reaches maximum at the survivor’s full retirement age.
If a surviving spouse has not yet reached their FRA, and if they are entitled to (not necessarily collecting) their own Social Security retirement benefit, the surviving spouse has the option to delay claiming the survivor benefit until it reaches maximum at their full retirement age. And if the survivor’s personal SS retirement benefit will ever be more than their maximum survivor benefit, the surviving spouse also has the option to claim only the smaller survivor benefit first and allow their personal SS retirement benefit to grow (to maximum at age 70 if desired).
With Social Security there is hardly ever a simple answer to a question but, in the example you use, if both are over their SS full retirement age:
• If the husband dies first, the wife will get 100% of the amount ($2000) the husband was receiving, instead of the small amount ($1000) she was previously receiving.
• If the wife dies first, the husband’s monthly benefit will remain at $2000, and he will get no increase in his monthly amount.
• In either case, the surviving spouse will be entitled to a one-time lump sum death benefit of $255.
Will My Benefit Increase if I Work While Collecting Disability?
Dear Rusty: I will be 64 in March and currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. My full retirement age is 67, but I’m thinking about trying to return to work.
If I work and my earnings exceed the monthly disability payment limits, but do not exceed the annual limit, how will my disability payments be affected? Will working while receiving Social Security disability payments change my Social Security benefit amount when I reach my full retirement age of 67? Signed: Mending
Dear Mending: Social Security doesn’t go by annual earnings when it comes to disability (SSDI) – they go by monthly earnings. If your work earnings in any one month of 2024 exceed $1,550, that will be a flag to SS that you are no longer disabled ($2,590 per month if you’re blind). If that happens for a few months in a row, they will most likely stop your SSDI payments. Often, this happens retroactively – they won’t find out until sometime later that you repeatedly exceeded the monthly limit – but they will likely cancel your SSDI benefits and require you to repay any benefits you received in months you exceeded the monthly SSDI earnings limit, or months they deem you were capable of working without restriction.
I suggest you consider enrolling in Social Security’s “Ticket to Work” program. While enrolled, you can work and will have a rolling 9 month “Trial Work Period” over 5 years, during which you can earn more than $1,110/month (in 2024) without jeopardizing your SSDI benefits. If, after completing your 9 month trial work period, you are taken off of SSDI (because you’re no longer considered disabled), and you again become disabled and unable to work, your SSDI benefits can resume without requiring you to go through the entire application process again. You can test your ability to work, will be able to work some and can earn more than the limit in some months, which makes the Ticket to Work program your best option. Read more about it here: https://choosework.ssa.gov/.
As for whether working while on SSDI will improve your benefit at your full retirement age (FRA), that depends. Your current SSDI benefit is equal to your FRA entitlement from your earnings record at your disability onset date (but paid to you prior to your FRA). The method for determining your benefit under SSDI is complex and depends on the age at which you became unable to work and the number of Social Security credits you had accumulated at that time. Although SS retirement benefits normally require you earn at least 40 SS quarter credits and are based on your highest earning 35 years, those approved for SSDI can get benefits with fewer than 40 credits and less than 35 years of lifetime earnings. Since each case is unique, I cannot say whether your earnings while on SSDI will improve your FRA amount, but Social Security will monitor your earnings and increase your benefit if appropriate.
FYI, your SSDI benefit would normally automatically convert to become your regular SS retirement benefit at your FRA at the same amount you were receiving while on SSDI. It’s possible that the limited earnings you may have from working while on SSDI may increase your benefit, but that’s impossible for me to predict. Your benefit is based on your lifetime earnings history (adjusted for inflation), not on your contributions to Social Security while working.
So, if you are on SSDI and wish to try returning to work, and you think your monthly earnings will occasionally exceed the SSDI limit, I suggest you contact Social Security (1.800.772.1213 or your local office) to explore enrolling in the Ticket to Work program. That would be your best option to avoid jeopardizing your SSDI benefits, and your benefit amount will be automatically adjusted by Social Security if appropriate.
Why Must I Pay Into Social Security when I’m Collecting Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I am collecting full Social Security benefits at age 72 and also working full time. Why is the Federal Government still taking money from my paycheck? I have written to Social Security experts on this issue, and they tell me “It’s the law.” That is not a good answer for me. Approximately $4,400 was taken from my pay in 2023 for Social Security and, yes, I get a pittance of a COLA increase, but not equal to what I pay. No one has been able to fully explain the Federal Government’s thought process on taxing me for Social Security when I am getting full Social Security benefits. Can you? Signed: Working Senior
Dear Working Senior: Far be it from me to try to explain the federal government’s thought process on anything, but I can explain why those already collecting Social Security benefits must continue to pay Social Security payroll taxes while working.
It actually goes back to 1935 and the panel commissioned by President Roosevelt to create America’s Social Security program. Said panel determined how the program would be financed, Congress approved it, and FDR signed it. That methodology was essentially this:
Workers who earn (and their employers) must contribute to Social Security via payroll taxes to fund the program (we now know this as “FICA” for employees and “SECA” for the self-employed). When the program first started, certain employees and their employers were required to each contribute 1% of the employee’s first $3000 of earnings. Obviously, those amounts have risen over the decades. And, for clarity, only certain workers originally participated in Social Security, which has also changed over the decades so that now nearly everyone who works must pay Social Security payroll taxes.
Starting in 1937 and still today, SS payroll taxes paid by those now working are used by the federal government to pay benefits to those who are currently receiving. Said another way, Social Security is a “pay as you go” program where income from those working (and their employer) is used to pay benefits to those receiving. Payroll taxes collected aren’t put into a personal account for the worker; rather they are used to meet current SS payment obligations. Any excess money collected is invested in special issue government bonds as reserves for future use (although current annual SS income is less than annual program costs – an entirely different topic).
So, the financing method enacted in 1935 and started in 1937 still applies – those who work and earn (and their employers) must pay into the system to fund benefit payments to those who are now receiving – and that includes those workers who are already collecting their Social Security. FYI, there was a time when, if someone worked after starting their SS benefits, they lost all of their benefits. Fortunately, that rule no longer exists, so those who are collecting SS benefits can now continue to get benefits if they work, but they must also still pay into the program from their work earnings to help pay benefits to SS recipients.
I hope this provides some insight for why you must continue to contribute to Social Security even after you have started collecting your benefits. It is a result of how the program is financed – predominantly by workers through payroll taxes on their earnings (and to a lesser extent from interest on Trust Fund reserves and income tax on Social Security benefits). With very few exceptions, everyone who works helps pay benefits to those now receiving.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
Ask Rusty – About Medicare’s Dreaded “IRMAA” Provision
Dear Rusty: My wife is on Medicare and receiving Social Security benefits each month. We built a house and used money from our investments to pay for it. We knew we would pay taxes on that withdrawal, but my wife got a letter from Social Security saying that because the money we withdrew was listed as income, her 2024 Medicare premium went up over $500. And since Medicare is taken out of her Social Security, that results in a $6,000 loss to our budget.
Is there anything that can be done about this situation? We sent a letter to Social Security, but they responded that unless her situation was one of only a few categories (loss of house, divorce, etc.) nothing could be done for the year.
The money was used strictly on another investment – our new house. It wasn’t like we took it out and spent it wildly. Can you please advise? Signed: Frustrated Homeowner
Dear Frustrated: Unfortunately, it sounds like your wife is a victim of the Medicare provision known as “IRMAA” – the “Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.” Each person’s Medicare Part B premium (coverage for outpatient healthcare) is determined yearly from their income from all sources as reported to the IRS two years prior. IRMAA sets income thresholds, depending on your IRS filing status, and if those thresholds are exceeded you must pay a higher Medicare Part B premium (and also a higher Part D premium if you have prescription drug coverage).
Assuming you file your taxes as “married/jointly,” if your combined 2022 income as a couple was between $206,000 and $258,000 your wife’s 2024 Part B premium is $244.60 (instead of the standard $174.70); if your combined 2022 income was between $258,000 and $322,000 then your wife’s Part B premium for 2024 is $349.40; if your combined in 2022 was between $322,000 and $386,000, her Part B premium is $454.20; if your combined 2022 income as a married couple was between $386,000 to $750,000 then your wife’s 2024 Part B premium is $559; and if your 2022 income as a married couple was over $750,000 your wife’s Part B premium is $594. If your wife also has private Part D prescription drug coverage, IRMAA also increases those premiums. Note that the IRMAA thresholds are different for other income tax filing statuses.
As the Social Security office has already explained, you could appeal your wife’s IRMAA premium increase if she had a “life changing event,” but the list of acceptable life changing events is quite small (see form SSA-44). The only good news is that your wife’s Medicare premium will be calculated anew for next year, so her Medicare premium for 2025 will – if your 2023 joint income is less than the first IRMAA threshold – revert to the standard 2025 premium.
FYI, it doesn’t matter what you used the money for. Your withdrawal was reported to the IRS as taxable income, which is what caused IRMAA to apply to your wife’s Medicare premium for 2024. Many people don’t realize that Medicare premiums are higher for those with a higher income, but since your withdrawal was a one-time event, your wife’s Medicare Part B premium next year should be much less and her Social Security benefit correspondingly higher.
Should I Claim Social Security at 68, or Wait Until I’m 70?
Dear Rusty: I have a question regarding my SS benefits. I turned 68 this month and work part time. I earned $28,000 last year but will probably gross $36,000 to $38,000 this year. My husband collects his SS, and he earned $25,000 last year. I was told by a financial planner that I should apply for my benefits now, instead of waiting until I’m 70. I would collect $1700/month at 68 and $1944/month if I wait. Which is the smarter move? Signed: Seeking Answers
Dear Seeking: I’m sure your financial advisor would agree that your decision on when to claim your Social Security comes down to just a few basic things – 1) how badly you need the money, 2) your life expectancy, and 3) whether you will receive a spousal boost from your husband when you claim.
Because you have already passed your full retirement age (FRA) of 66 years and 4 months, your work earnings won’t negatively affect your monthly SS benefit amount. If you claim now, however, your work earnings will affect how much of your SS benefits will be subject to income tax. Assuming you file your income tax as “married/filing jointly,” up to 85% of the Social Security benefits you receive during the tax year will become part of your income taxable by the IRS. If you do not urgently need the extra money that your SS will provide, then waiting longer to claim will also postpone paying income tax on your received benefits, and that may be a consideration.
Your life expectancy is key in making your decision on when to claim. You already know that your benefit will be $244 per month more if you wait until you are 70 to claim. If you claim at 68 (e.g., this month), you will collect about $40,800 by the time you reach 70. If you, instead, wait until age 70 to get that extra $244/month benefit, it will take you about 14 years collecting at the higher rate to offset the $40,800 you would have received had you claimed now (in other words, you would break even moneywise at about age 84). If your life expectancy is longer, then waiting to claim may be the better choice. Of course, no one knows how long they will live but, for general guidance, average life expectancy for a woman your current age is about 87. Family history and your current health are obviously influencing factors as well. If you wish to get a more personal estimate of your life expectancy, I suggest using this tool:
www.socialsecurityreport.org/
In the end, if you believe you will attain at least average life expectancy and you don’t urgently need the money now, waiting longer will not only give you a higher monthly benefit in your later years, but also the most in cumulative lifetime benefits. If, however, you have reason to suspect you won’t achieve at least average life expectancy, or you need the SS money sooner, claiming before age 70 is likely the better move.
One other thing to consider: If your benefit as your husband’s spouse will be more than your own earned maximum SS retirement benefit, then you should claim your SS benefit now. Your maximum benefit as a spouse would be 50% of your husband’s full retirement age entitlement and, if that is more than your own benefit will be at age 70, then claiming now to get your maximum spousal benefit would be your best choice. To get a spousal benefit from your husband, your personal FRA entitlement (not your age 68 amount) would need to be less than half of his FRA entitlement. If that isn’t the case, then you should make your decision based only on your own Social Security entitlement, as described above.
How is my Social Security Benefit Calculated?
Dear Rusty: I appreciate your recent article dispelling the myth that politicians have stolen Social Security money. As a CPA, I dispel this myth repeatedly to clients who falsely claim SS funds have been raided. But another thing I deal with often is how SS benefits are calculated. I know the formula for determining each person’s benefit amount is complex, but I have had to explain numerous times that those who put the most into Social Security get the lowest rate of return and those who put the least in get the highest return based on the way the benefit formula is structured. I get tired of people complaining that monthly Social Security payments are higher for retired doctors and other highly paid individuals. Can you please explain how Social Security is weighted in favor of lower income workers? Signed: Tired of the Misunderstandings
Dear Tired: Please don’t be frustrated. Because of the program’s complexity, Social Security is prone to misunderstanding, and educating the misinformed is an important professional duty we share. Here’s how each person’s SS benefit is determined:
The first thing to know is that each person’s SS retirement benefit is not based on their financial contributions to the program. Social Security’s purpose is to provide a benefit which replaces a portion of the person’s pre-retirement income, so the SS benefit is based on actual lifetime earnings, not on the payroll taxes withheld from those earnings.
Social Security has your lifetime earnings record (obtained annually from the IRS) and that record determines your “primary insurance amount” or “PIA.” Your “PIA” is initially determined in your eligibility year (usually age 62) and is the amount you will get if you claim for benefits to start exactly at your full retirement age (FRA).
To develop your PIA, Social Security first adjusts (indexes) each year of your lifetime earnings (up to the annual payroll tax cap) to account for inflation. They then select the 35 inflation-adjusted years in which you earned the most, from which they compute your average monthly earnings over your lifetime (this is called your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, or “AIME”). They then break your AIME into three segments, the first of which includes a majority of – and possibly all of – your AIME. They then take a percentage of each segment and total those three amounts to determine your PIA. The first segment is the largest and 90% of that first segment contributes most of your PIA. Smaller percentages of the other two segments (32% and 15% respectively if your AIME is higher), are then added to the first computation to arrive at your full PIA – the amount you get if you start benefits in the month you reach your FRA. Note that since most of the PIA comes from the first large segment of each person’s AIME, lower income workers get a higher percentage of their lifetime average monthly amount.
Since benefits are based on earnings, those with lower lifetime earnings do, indeed, get a smaller benefit than those with higher average lifetime earnings, but the percentage of pre-retirement replacement income lower income workers receive is higher than for those with higher monthly average lifetime earnings. The Social Security benefit for lower income workers is typically about 40% of their pre-retirement average monthly income, while those with higher lifetime average earnings may get a benefit as little as 20% of their average monthly pre-retirement earnings. In that sense, the Social Security benefit formula is progressive and weighted in favor of lower income workers. Nevertheless, albeit a smaller replacement percentage, higher income workers receive a higher monthly SS benefit because of their higher lifetime earnings. Even so, those higher earners did, indeed, contribute more payroll taxes from their higher earnings.
So, each person’s SS retirement benefit amount is a percentage of their pre-retirement income. Coincidently, those with higher pre-retirement income also contributed more to the Social Security program than did those with lower earnings. But their higher SS benefit amount is based on their higher pre-retirement earnings, not on payroll taxes paid from those higher earnings.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
Will my WEP Reduction Go Away if I Continue Working?
Dear Rusty: I’m 63 years old and have not yet started my Social Security. I now work for the State of Illinois and will draw a pension from that state’s university system. I don’t pay into Social Security from this position and, as a result, my Social Security payment will be reduced. But I have also worked elsewhere and contributed to Social Security for 26 years.
If I retire from the state university and begin drawing my reduced Social Security payment, and then work in a different job which does contribute to SS, will the reduction to my Social Security payment ever be eliminated? Or will I be permanently stuck with the smaller Social Security payment? Signed: Curious Educator
Dear Curious: A rule called the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) will apply to your Social Security benefit because your IL state pension was earned without paying into the Social Security program. The basic rule is that anyone with a pension earned without contributing to Social Security, and who is also entitled to Social Security benefits, is subject to WEP, which reduces that person’s Social Security retirement benefit. It’s a law enacted many years ago to equalize how SS benefits are paid to all Social Security beneficiaries. However, the WEP rules also provide relief for those who have only a small non-covered pension, and for those who have separately contributed to Social Security for a lot of years. For example:
• The WEP reduction to your SS benefit cannot be more than 50% of your non-covered (IL) pension
• The WEP reduction is smaller for each year over 20 years contributing to Social Security from substantial earnings
• WEP does not apply to those who have at least 30 years contributing to SS from substantial earnings
Although you could retire at 63 and collect your pension from the university and also collect your WEP-reduced Social Security, you have something else to consider if you take another job which pays into Social Security.
Social Security has an annual “earnings test” for those who collect benefits before their full retirement age (FRA). The earnings test limits how much you can earn while collecting early SS before they take away some of your benefits. The earnings limit for 2024 is $22,320 and, if that is exceeded, you will lose $1 in benefits for every $2 you are over the limit. If your work earnings substantially exceed the earnings limit, you would likely be temporarily ineligible to receive Social Security benefits. FYI, the earnings test no longer applies once you reach your full retirement age, which for you is 67.
Without knowing your expected income from a new job, I can’t say how much of your SS you would be able to receive, but you can use this as a guide: Social Security will take away benefits equal to half of what you exceed the annual earnings limit by, and they typically recover by withholding future benefits. If 12 months or more of benefits are withheld, you will be temporarily ineligible to receive benefits until your earnings are less, or you reach your full retirement age (the earnings test no longer applies once you reach your FRA). So, depending on your expected annual work earnings, you may wish to defer claiming your Social Security until you either earn less or reach 67 years of age.
If you already have 26 years contributing to Social Security from “substantial earnings,” your WEP reduction will already be mitigated, and any additional years of substantial earnings from which SS payroll taxes are deducted will result in an even smaller WEP reduction. If you can achieve 30 years of SS contributions from substantial work earnings, WEP will no longer apply. So, you may not be “stuck with” the WEP reduction permanently, but you will need to contact Social Security to request that your WEP reduction amount be reviewed in light of any additional years of SS-covered earnings (this should be done after you submit your income taxes each year you have additional SS-covered earnings).
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
Will Withdrawing from 401(k) Affect My Social Security?
Dear Rusty: My full retirement age (FRA) is 66 and 8 months, which I’ll reach in September 2024. I’m still working 3 days a week. I want to cash in my 401K and want to know if I have to wait until my FRA for IRS purposes or can cash it in anytime in 2024. I don’t want to affect my Social Security or end up paying taxes on my benefits. Signed: Seeking to Avoid Taxes
Dear Seeking: We’re not experts on IRS matters here at the AMAC Foundation so I can’t address 401(k) questions, but we can provide information on your Social Security circumstances and how 401(k) withdrawals may affect your SS. I assume from your question that you are now receiving early Social Security and wish to avoid any tax consequences thereto by cashing in your 401(k), as well as from working. Here’s what you need to know:
• Since you will reach your full retirement age (FRA) in 2024, your 2024 work earnings limit will be $59,520 up to the month you reach FRA. If you were born in January 1958, you’ll attain FRA in September 2024. After you have reached your FRA there is no longer a Social Security limit to how much you can earn from working, so your work earnings thereafter will not affect your monthly Social Security benefit regardless of how much you earn. If your part time work between January and August 2024 won’t put you over the $59,520 limit, your work earnings will not negatively affect your gross monthly Social Security benefit.
• Assuming you are on Medicare, the premium for which is deducted from your Social Security payment, withdrawals from your 401(k) might affect your net monthly Social Security payment in two years hence. Medicare premiums are based upon your combined income from all sources, including 50% of the SS benefits you received during the tax year. If your 401(k) withdrawal(s) put you over an income threshold for your tax filing status, you may be required to pay an “IRMAA” (Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) on top of the standard Medicare premium. That IRMAA supplement would be deducted from your Social Security, which would affect the net amount of your Social Security payment. Your Medicare premium for each coming year is determined by your combined income from two years prior, so if you “cash in” your 401(K) in 2024, it would affect your net Social Security payments in 2026.
• Whether you will pay income tax on your Social Security benefits is determined by your combined income from everywhere, which the IRS calls your “Modified Adjusted Gross Income” or “MAGI.” MAGI is your income from all sources (except ROTH IRA withdrawals) and includes half of the SS benefits you received during the tax year. If you file your taxes as a single, and your MAGI is over $25,000 – or if you file your taxes as “married-jointly” and your MAGI is over $32,000 – then 50% of the Social Security benefits received during the tax year becomes part of your overall income taxed by the IRS (at your normal IRS tax rate). But if your MAGI as a single filer is more than $34,000 – or as a married/jointly filer over $44,000 – then up to 85% of the SS benefits received during the tax year becomes part of your overall income taxed by the IRS.
So, to recap:
1. Your part time work earnings in 2024 won’t affect your monthly Social Security benefit, unless your 2024 work earnings prior to September 2024 exceed $59,520.
2. Depending on the amount of your 401(k) withdrawals, your 2026 net Social Security payments may be impacted by Medicare’s IRMAA provision. But your 401(k) withdrawals will not affect your gross Social Security payments.
3. Depending on the amount of your 401(k) withdrawals, some of the Social Security benefits received during the 2024 tax year will likely be subject to income tax. That is, if your annual total income, including your 401(k) withdrawals, exceeds the MAGI thresholds described above.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
Ask Rusty – How Can I Get Details about My Social Security Payment?
Dear Rusty: How do I find the actual breakdown of the Medicare insurance that I have auto deducted and my actual Social Security payment? I was just looking at a video which explained the 3% Cost of Living Adjustment we will be receiving this year, and it compared the current payout to the new payout. There seems to be a big difference in what I am getting and what they said in the video. Currently my Social Security payments are $1,431. My Medicare insurance is supposed to be $165, which means my total Social Security is about $1,596. On the video it said all retired workers are getting $1,848 with the new increase to take it to $1,938.00. There are a couple hundred dollars there that I seem to be missing out on. Can you help me understand that difference? Signed: Confused Senior
Dear Confused Senior: What you’re asking for is an itemized breakout of your gross Social Security benefit, any deductions being taken therefrom (e.g., your Medicare Part B premium), the amount of your COLA increase, and your net Social Security payment for 2024. If that is the case, the best way to get this detail is in your personal “my Social Security” online account, which provides all the information mentioned. You can access your online account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount, and if you don’t already have that online account set up, you’ll need to first establish your online access credentials (instructions for how to do that will be at that website).
I’m not sure which video you watched, but “all retired workers” do not get $1,848 (or $1,938). Everyone’s Social Security benefit is different, based on their lifetime earnings record and the age at which they claimed benefits. The numbers you heard in the video were likely average Social Security payments, not the actual amount you should personally be receiving. Here’s how it works:
• Your personal benefit is based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) which is the amount you get if you claim for your benefits to start at your full retirement age (FRA), which is somewhere between 66 and 67 depending on the year you were born. Claim before your FRA your benefit is permanently reduced; claim after your FRA it is higher. Your personal maximum benefit is achieved if you claim at age 70.
• The Medicare Part B premium (for outpatient healthcare services) is automatically deducted from your Social Security payment. Although the standard 2023 Part B premium was $164.90, the standard 2024 Part B premium is $174.70. You may also have other things (e.g., income tax) withheld from your monthly Social Security payment.
• The annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024 is 3.2%. That means your gross Social Security benefit goes up by that percentage starting in 2024. But there was also a $9.80 increase in your Medicare Part B premium starting in 2024, which means that you won’t see all of the COLA increase in your Social Security payment. Since your Medicare premium is deducted from your Social Security, that Medicare increase will also be taken from your SS payment, so you won’t see the full 3.2% COLA increase in your 2024 Social Security payment.
To see all of this detail for you personally, I suggest you access your online “my Social Security” account as described above. As an alternative, you can also call Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 and request a Benefit Verification Letter which will include all the information you seek about your Social Security payment.
Can Someone Work While Collecting Social Security Disability?
Dear Rusty: If a person is collecting Social Security disability benefits, can they, at any point, work at all? If they can, what is the maximum they can earn and still keep the disability benefit? I am asking because my husband is still young, but his injuries will not allow him to go back to the job he had prior to his injuries and surgeries. He does not just want to sit at home doing nothing! Signed: Concerned Wife
Dear Concerned: Actually, the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages those collecting SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits to attempt to go back to work and they provide considerable leeway for them to do so. The monthly earnings limit for those collecting SSDI benefits in 2024 is $1,550 and as long as your husband earns less than the limit while working, his SSDI benefits will not be in jeopardy. Your husband should contact Social Security’s Ticket to Work program directly to protect his disability status and discuss returning to work while collecting SSDI benefits.
The Ticket to Work program assists those now receiving SSDI benefits who wish to test their ability to return to work without putting their SSDI benefits at risk. The program provides considerable assistance, including new career training opportunities and connection to potential employers, and it is voluntary and costs nothing. Here is a link to Social Security’s information on the Ticket to Work program: https://choosework.ssa.gov/
It’s not mandatory for your husband to enroll in the Ticket to Work program but, in addition to other available assistance, he can request a Trial Work Period (TWP) which would allow for 9 months, over a rolling five year period, during which he can earn any amount (even over the normal monthly limit mentioned above) without risking his SSDI benefits. Within the Trial Work Period, only those months he earns over the normal monthly SSDI limit would count as a Trial Work Month. So, for example, your husband could work part time regularly earning under the normal monthly limit and if, in some months (up to nine), he earned more it wouldn’t affect his SSDI benefits.
So, your younger disabled husband can, indeed, work while on Social Security disability, for as long as he wishes while earning under the monthly SSDI limit (the SSDI earnings limit changes yearly). He may also wish to enroll in Social Security’s Ticket to Work program for assistance with developing a new career. Plus, he can take advantage of using trial work months in the event his work earnings will, at times, exceed the monthly SSDI limit. If your husband earns over the SSDI limit for more than the 9 trial work months and his benefits are consequently stopped, he can – within the 5-year Trial Work Period – have his benefits reinstated (without again going through the full application process) if his disability, once more, renders him unable to work full time.
For starters, I suggest your husband contact Social Security’s Ticket to Work program directly at 1.833-889-0108 to discuss returning to work part time. Social Security will guide him through the entire process.
Will My Friend’s Fiancée be Entitled to a Survivor Benefit?
Dear Rusty: I have a very good friend who has cancer and will begin chemotherapy this week. He is 71 years old and is currently receiving Social Security benefits. He has been living with his fiancée for a little more than 2 years, but they have been a couple for about 15 years and will be married in the next few weeks. She is 60 years old.
I am naturally concerned about his, and her, future so my questions are:
· What, if anything, should he and his wife do to ensure that she gets his Social Security benefits?
· What benefits will she be entitled to, and how soon will she be able to begin receiving them after his death?
Signed: A Friend with Questions
Dear Friend: You are kind to be concerned about your friend and his fiancée. Here’s what you need to know:
Social Security goes by state rules when it comes to what is often referred to as “common law marriage.” That means that whether your friend’s fiancée will receive any benefits as a surviving spouse in a “common law” relationship depends on whether they live in a state which recognizes common law marriage. Most states do not, but state laws have changed over the years and many states which once recognized such unions as “marriage” no longer do. Although they may have “been a couple” for 15 years, if your friend and his fiancée have been living together for only two it is likely only the last two years will count for Social Security benefit purposes. So, whether your friend’s fiancée will get anything when your friend dies depends on where they live – unless they get married, in which case the rules are different.
In order for a married widow(er) to receive surviving spouse benefits, the couple must have been married for at least 9 months. If they marry and your friend lives longer than 9 months thereafter, then his wife will be entitled to a surviving spouse benefit from her husband. The amount of his wife’s benefit will be based upon the amount your friend is receiving at his death, adjusted for her age when she claims her surviving spouse benefit.
A surviving spouse can claim benefits from the deceased as early as age 60, but those benefits will be reduced for claiming before full retirement age (FRA). Taken at age 60, the wife’s benefit would be 71.5% of your friend’s SS benefit at his death. The wife need not claim the survivor benefit immediately; she could opt to delay claiming in order to get a higher percentage of the husband’s amount. Survivor benefits reach maximum – 100% of the deceased’s benefit amount – at the recipient’s FRA.
So, if your friend and his fiancée now live in a state which currently recognizes common law marriage (CO, IA, KS, MT, NH, SC, TX, UT, RI, or in the District of Columbia), then your friend’s partner will be considered his “wife” and entitled to survivor benefits as normal (the fiancée would need to prove they cohabitate in a marriage-like relationship to claim benefits).
If they do not live in one of those states, but they get married and the marriage lasts for at least 9 months, then the wife will be entitled to normal benefits as a surviving spouse (as described above).
But if the couple do not live in one of the above states which recognize “common law” relationships, or if their soon-to-occur marriage doesn’t last at least 9 months, or if they do not get married, I’m afraid your friend’s partner will not be entitled to any survivor benefits from your friend.
If My Wife Claims Now, Will It Hurt My Social Security Amount?
Dear Rusty: I am 69 years old, and my wife turned 70 early this year. I am still working full time. My wife is not working, but she got a letter from Social Security saying she should take her Social Security as soon as possible.
My question is: since my wife has reached her full retirement age, can she take her SS without it affecting mine when I claim? I plan to work at least another year, depending on how the economy goes (I may have to work longer if it doesn’t get better). I have IRAs and a 401k to pull from when I retire. Signed: Anxious Husband
Dear Anxious: The reason your wife received a letter from Social Security (SS) suggesting she claims now is because her benefit reached maximum some time ago at age 70. Thus, there is no reason for her to wait beyond age 70 to claim. By delaying past age 70 your wife is losing money so she should appl;y as soon as possible. I suggest your wife call Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 (or your local office) right away to request an appointment to apply for her benefits and she should be sure to request six months of retroactive payments (SS will pay up to 6 months retroactively). If your wife has a “my Social Security” online account, she can also apply online at www.ssa.gov/apply, but she should be sure to request six months of retroactive benefits in the “Remarks” section of the online application. Because your wife is more than six months past age 70, getting 6 months retroactive benefits will not reduce her age 70 benefit amount. Nor will your wife claiming her benefits now negatively affect your Social Security when you later claim.
Even though you plan to continue working, likely beyond 70 years of age yourself, you should not wait beyond age 70 to claim for the same reason – your benefit will reach maximum when you are 70. You can apply for your benefits up to 4 months in advance, and specify you want benefits to start in the month you turn 70. If you haven’t already done so, you may wish to create your own “my Social Security” online account now at www.ssa.gov/myaccount, which will make it easier for you to apply online at www.ssa.gov/apply when the time comes next year. Applying online is, by far, the most efficient way, but you need to have your online account set up first to do so.
Just so you know, there is no need to worry that you won’t get credit for work income earned after you have applied for your benefits. Even after you are collecting benefits, Social Security will automatically review your earnings each year when that info is received from the IRS (after you file your income tax return). If your most recent earnings are higher than those in any of the 35 years of lifetime earnings used to calculate your benefit when you claim, Social Security will automatically increase your monthly payment amount. In other words, you shouldn’t delay past age 70 to claim Social Security because you’re working – you’ll still get credit for those earnings, automatically.
So, I suggest that your wife take fast action to apply for her Social Security benefits to avoid losing any more money, and that you plan to apply for your benefits to start when you turn 70. There is no financial advantage to waiting beyond age 70 to claim, even if you continue working.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/
DIVAS ON A DIME
Embrace the Season With a Tangy Twist -- Lemon Polenta Cake
BYLINE: By Patti Diamond
PHOTO CREDIT: www.JasonCoblentz.com
PHOTO CAPTION: Lemon Polenta Cake is a gluten-free delight that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
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Welcome to spring, where zest meets zing! As we bid adieu to winter’s chill, ready to embrace the warmth of spring, it’s time to infuse our kitchens with the vibrant flavors of the season. And what better way to welcome the sunshine than with a delightful, unexpected treat? Introducing the Lemon Polenta Cake — a delectable twist on the Italian classic. It’s perfect for your Easter celebration, too!
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Polenta in a dessert? Trust me, I’ve been there. But once you experience the harmonious marriage of sweet and tart, brought to life by the humble cornmeal, you’ll be singing a different tune.
Picture this: a buttery, moist, tender crumb, slightly chewy, infused with the zesty brightness of freshly squeezed lemons. It’s like indulging in a slice of sunshine itself.
This Lemon Polenta Cake traces its roots back to the rustic kitchens of the northern regions of Italy, where polenta is a staple ingredient. Inspired by the abundance of lemons in the Mediterranean climate, bakers sought to infuse cornmeal with the bright, tangy zest of citrus.
In a world of dietary restrictions, this Lemon Polenta Cake comes to the rescue, proudly sporting its gluten-free badge thanks to the absence of traditional flour. And let’s not forget that light, fruity olive oil can substitute for butter for our dairy-free friends.
LEMON POLENTA CAKE
Yield: 12 servings
Total Time: 55 minutes
For the cake:
1 3/4 cups almond meal/almond flour
3/4 cup fine cornmeal polenta
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 2 large lemons (save juice for syrup)
3 eggs
For the syrup:
Juice of 2 lemons, about 1/2 cup
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease sides with butter. In a mixing bowl, combine almond meal, cornmeal and baking powder (dry ingredients), and set aside. In another bowl, using a hand mixer, beat butter, sugar and lemon zest until pale (wet ingredients).
You’re going to mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in three stages. To the wet ingredients, add roughly one third of the almond/cornmeal mixture, followed by 1 egg, and continue to beat. Alternate dry ingredients and eggs until it’s all incorporated, beating the whole time.
Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake on the center rack until it’s golden brown, and a cake tester or toothpick comes out relatively clean, about 35-38 minutes. Although the cake will be done, it might seem a bit soft in the center, that’s alright. Leaving the cake in the pan, place it on a rack and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the syrup by boiling together the lemon juice and powdered sugar in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.
Pearce the top of the cake all over with a cake tester or toothpick. Pour the warm syrup over the top of the cake, then let the cake cool completely in the pan.
To serve, run a thin knife or small spatula along the edges, then remove the springform sides. If desired, garnish with powdered sugar and blueberries. Slice and enjoy! Refrigerate any leftovers.
As you slice into this lemony masterpiece, let its sunny disposition remind you that spring is not just a season, it’s a state of mind. So, gather your loved ones, and keep spreading joy, one slice of lemon polenta cake at a time.
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Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime — Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com