Page 17 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2021 - 28-04

From the
Senior Times - April 2021
Page 17
Personally, one of the greatest chal- lenges of the past year has been staying connected to friends and family. During the COVID-19 crisis, the lives of seniors have been especially disrupted and, while we all adjusted our daily routines, the most disorienting part for many has been the transition to digital or online forms of communication.
bill and up to $100 off computers or tablet-style devices used to access the internet. While the program is still
being finalized, anyone who currently receives Lifeline support will be eli- gible. Lifeline is an existing program that provides discounts on phone and internet services to anyone who: is at or below 135% of federal poverty guide- lines; receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or a Veterans Pension; or receives help from federal tribal pro- grams. I encourage you to find out more about the Lifeline program by visiting www.LifeLineSupport.org or calling 1-800-234-9473.
Open For Indoor Dining • Call For Take-out
Over a year ago, the transition to holding meetings online posed a chal- lenge for me and my legislative office, but with a team of staff surrounding
me, I almost have the hang of it. From church services broadcast into our living rooms to two-way video calling with dis- tant relatives, we have all had to adapt. However, even for those who are not intimidated by the digital age, there are still barriers due to expense and access to quality service.
While cost is one barrier, many res- idents of rural parts of Calhoun County still don’t have a broadband internet provider servicing their home. For the past year, I have heard countless stories of families struggling to stay connected to their work, school, or social circles without reliable internet access. That’s why, for the past several months, I have been working with people from across the county to start tackling the problem. We are getting close to announcing our county-wide effort, but if you have any questions in the meantime about this or any other issue, please feel free to con- tact me at JimHaadsma@house.mi.gov or (517) 373-0555.
Once enrolled in the EBB, eligible participants will receive up to a $50 discount per month on their broadband
STATE HOUSE
State Representative, Jim Haadsma, District 62
EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT
Senior Citizens
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Last month, I wrote about programs the State of Michigan offers to older adults, but this month I want to announce an upcoming program by the Federal Communications Commission called the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), that may provide some relief to seniors and help with the cost of internet access.
Updates on Your
SOCIAL SECURITY
Vonda VanTil, Special to Senior Times
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES
Grand Vista is an all inclusive assisted living community
with an independent home-living, safe, and professional environment.
• Home Services
 Private Suites
 Freshly Prepared Meals  House Keeping
 Laundry
• Entertainment
 Engaging Activities  Social Events
• Personal Care Plans
 24 hr RN Care
 Medication Management  Pharmacy Services
 Self-Care Support
• Respite Care
• Hospice Friendly
• Locally Owned and Operated
99 Vista Drive • Coldwater, MI 49036
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Our Family Helping With Yours
Today, more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Since the onset of Alzheimer’s can occur in people before they retire, it may strike during an individual’s work- ing years; preventing gainful employ- ment as the disease progresses.
program. The Compassionate Allowances program identifies debili- tating diseases and medical conditions so severe they obviously meet our disability standards. Compassionate Allowances allow for faster processing of disability claims for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, mixed-dementia, and Primary Progressive Aphasia.
As a result, people must come to grips with a devastating diagnosis while losing their salary and benefits. People with Alzheimer’s disease and their care- givers must figure out how they’ll pay for care.
You can read more about our Compassionate Allowances program at www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances. To learn more about how
Social Security disability insurance works, visit our disability page at www. ssa.gov/disability. Please share these resources with friends and family.
Our benefits and services are vital to people with early-onset Alzheimer’s who are unable to work and have no other source of income.
For over a decade, Social Security has included Alzheimer’s disease in our Compassionate Allowances
Vonda Van Til is the Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan. You
can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov.
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