Backlogged claims still an issue for VA Jul 2, 2009
Bohan appeared before the House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, which heard testimony on the growing backlog at the (VBA). According to a release issued by Bob Filner, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the hearing, led by Congressman John Hal, D-N.Y., was held to examine the record number of claims nearly 1 million the is dealing with. (Burlington Union, MA)
NSW social workers demand new pay deal May 31, 2009
The workers operate in services such as family support, day care, disability assistance, youth and women's refuges, employment and training services and neighbourhood and community centres. Ms McManus said NSW social and community workers were paid up to $20,000 less a year than government workers and up to 35 per cent less than colleagues in Queensland. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Capital Profile May 25, 2009
Barbara Guinn works on jobs issues in her role as director of Employment and Advancement Services at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in Albany ... Director of Employment and Advancement Services, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. (Albany Times Union)
NORD Sponsors Rare Disease Summit May 15, 2009
Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue described efforts to expedite the process of applying for Social Security disability assistance for people with severely disabling rare diseases. Under Commissioner Astrue, the Social Security Administration last fall launched a new Compassionate Allowances initiative to reduce problems encountered by people with certain severe diseases when they apply for assistance. (PR Newswire)
DSS commissioner to keep job Apr 30, 2009
Despite the negative attention surrounding OCDSS in recent months, it was announced during the Health and Human Services Committee that the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance have recognized the department s child support staff. The child support program, headed by John Ferry, coordinator of the Child Support Enforcement Unit for OCDSS, is intended to provide services to help parents take care of their children. (Oswego Palladium-Times, NY)
Paterson seeks to extend jobless aid Apr 14, 2009
Smith and David A. Hansell, commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, are urging the jobless to take advantage of state services. Their suggestions. (Albany Times Union)
Food stamp, food bank need on the rise Apr 13, 2009
Anthony Farmer, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Temporary and Disability Assistance, said over the years the department has found that families working at minimum wage didn t take advantage of available social services. We took a number of steps to make it easier for people to apply for food stamps, including conducting interviews over the phone and taking away the fingerprint requirement, Farmer said. (Utica NY Obserer, NY)
Weekend of service helps a dozen Athens homeowners Apr 6, 2009
She hasn't worked since 2002 and lives on disability assistance. As for the house, the roof was leaking and caving in, the home had been without hot water for two years, and the yard had grown wild. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Anti-poverty groups push state welfare grant increase Mar 18, 2009
David Hansell, commissioner of state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, has said New York made changes to the food stamp program to make it easier for working families to apply for benefits no more fingerprint requirements or face-to-face interviews. The state has added more than 170 million in additional food stamp benefits for New Yorkers, and enrolled an additional 100,000 households in the food stamps program in the past year. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Editor's Mailbag (March 3) Mar 9, 2009
Legal immigrant children under age 18; * Blind or disabled legal immigrants who receive disability assistance or benefits; * Individuals born on or before August 22, 1931, and who legally resided in the United States on August 22, 1996; * Lawful permanent residents who are active duty members or veterans of the U.S. armed forces or a spouse or a child of a veteran or active duty service member; * Refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); * Asylees under... (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Fudge hires liaison to Jewish community (13) Feb 14, 2009
Constituents needing help with any issue, such as a visa for foreign travel or disability assistance, can turn to Bilchik, who will be in Fudge s local office Monday through Wednesday. Fudge has also hired Fiol Smith to be her liaison to the Hispanic community. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Waste goes where? Feb 8, 2009
Queens Park should boost welfare payments and improve access to disability assistance for Ontarians who cant work for health reasons as a remedy for chronic health problems among the poor, says a new report. The Ontario government spent more than $23. (Metro Canada - Toronto)
Special Tax Filing Help Mar 28, 2008
March 28, 2008 - 8:33 AM Sub-Navigation. Last Update: 3/27 9:32 pm. (FOX23 News, NY)
Fingerprinting Waived For Some Food Stamp Recipients Feb 6, 2008
"And during 2007 we began a pilot program to conduct telephone recertifications, a process to redetermine a client's eligibility. Traditionally our clients were required to return to their DSS office to have their food stamp case re-authorized." While the new Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance rules are meant to be statewide, they are being implemented in nine counties at the outset, including Suffolk, to iron out any problems, according to Anthony Farmer, a spokesperson for the New... (Suffolk Life Newspapers, NY)
Means Testing for Hospitalisation Feb 2, 2008
Medifund and Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly are other examples of means tested medical services. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan is getting feedback through dialogues with the public on issues such as who should be eligible for full subsidy when means testing at hospitals kicks in, and where should the cut-off point be. (Channel NewsAsia, Singapore)
New fed funds help heat homes Jan 25, 2008
To adjust to the rising costs, the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) increased the maximum regular HEAP benefit a household can receive by 23% to $540 for this winter heating season. Eligibility levels were also increased to the maximum income allowed under law. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
Vigil honors homeless who died Dec 22, 2007
Through Crossroads Community Ministries, she was able to get identification, disability assistance and dentures. Earlier this year she was confirmed into the Episcopal Church as a member of Holy Comforter, a small congregation whose membership is largely residents of personal care homes. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
State awards $38M to fund homeless programs Nov 17, 2007
The funding is part of $38 million in grants the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced this week. The money is focused funding homeless housing projects. (Albany Business Review, NY)
Training, encouragement help people get back to work Nov 7, 2007
The biggest hurdle can be reaching potential workers with disabilities and convincing them of their value and potential, according to several disability assistance groups ... Last week, she celebrated her third anniversary working as a program services evaluator for DES. There, she educates other people about family, food, employment and disability assistance programs. (AZCentral -- Business)
Harris: Support the Troops? Oct 6, 2007
More than 185,000 returning veterans have sought medical and disability assistance for post-traumatic stress and other injuries. And the Bush Administration's only answer is more of the same. (Zmag.org)
Calif. foster care pay called inadequate Oct 4, 2007
Among the 12 foster care bills approved by the Legislature and awaiting Schwarzenegger's signature is a measure by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that would require counties to apply for federal disability assistance on behalf of foster children who qualify. Such assistance would provide them with more than $850 a month to live on after they are emancipated at 18. (Los Angeles Times)
County loses third top official to state Sep 28, 2007
Berlin was tapped as the new executive deputy commissioner of the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. She will take the job on Oct. 22, working for Commissioner David A. Hansell and taking responsibility for overall agency management. (Albany Times Union)
NFL Notebook: QB Leftwich signs with Falcons Sep 19, 2007
In a testimony before a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, pro football icons Gale Sayers, Mike Ditka and Daryl Johnston accused the NFL and its players union of turning their backs on hundreds of aging ex-players who have been denied disability assistance for devastating injuries. "The system is broken," said Ditka. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
The Fate of Michael Vick's Dogs Sep 3, 2007
The and determination can be an asset in many canine roles such as search and rescue, contraband detection, police work, and disability assistance. In the right hands, many bulldogs make excellent therapy dogs and pets. (Suite101.com)
Deadly Hit-Run Linked To Killer Aug 31, 2007
" Meek's friends are discussing a possible bike ride fundraiser to benefit his family. Meek's longtime friend and self-described "little sister," Patti Alley, 40, of Gibsonton, said the local biker community is heartbroken over his death. She said he and Taylor were frequent customers at James' Place but that she was not aware of any confrontations between them or whether they even talked before the crash. Alley was angered by Taylor's past conviction. "It makes a joke of the system," she said.... (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- News)
A panhandler's life of fear and loathing Aug 18, 2007
He lost his job in construction six years ago after suffering an aneurysm, he said, and government disability assistance helps him rent a room. There is an etiquette to panhandling, and for the most part it is followed, panhandlers say. (Globe and Mail)
NDP vows municipal assistance Aug 15, 2007
The NDP would also upload security court costs and disability assistance and related drug benefit costs ... An NDP government would absorb $200 million in court security expenses and $800 million in disability assistance and drug benefits -- costs that should not be carried by cities, he said. (London Free Press)
U of M report says early-childhood intervention improves well-being through young adulthood Aug 7, 2007
9 percent), and were less likely to receive disability assistance (4. 4 percent vs. 7 percent). (EurekAlert!)
Katrina, Rita Victims Feel Trapped in FEMA Trailers Aug 6, 2007
"How are you going to pay if you don't have money," asked Sharon Norah, 50, who lives on disability assistance in a Renaissance Village trailer with her 9-year-old son, Calvin. Renaissance Village, with 565 trailers about 100 miles northwest of New Orleans, is the Taj Mahal of FEMA parks, said Carol Spruell of Catholic Charities. (Fox News)
Poor Feel Trapped In FEMA Trailers Aug 5, 2007
" asked Sharon Norah, 50, who lives on disability assistance in a Renaissance Village trailer with her 9-year-old son, Calvin. Renaissance Village, with 565 trailers about 100 miles northwest of New Orleans, is the Taj Mahal of FEMA parks, said Carol Spruell of Catholic Charities. Unlike some others, it has a basketball court, a tent for community activities, laundry rooms and a playground. Volunteer groups provide health care, mental health services and educational services. FEMA is pushing to... (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- News)
Senior Citizen Friendship Club of St. Mary’s meeting Aug 4, 2007
Tuesday, Hawaiian Day, special dinner with raffle and bingo; Wednesday, 12:15 p.m., free blood pressure screening, bingo, prizes; Thursday, 12:15 p.m., program on how to prevent heat exhaustion (with treats); Fridays, Aug. 10, 17, 24 and 31, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., free appraisal of antiques and collectibles by George Walko (limit five items per visit); Tuesday, Aug. 21, and Thursday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free basic computer classes; Wednesday, Aug. 22, 12:15 p.m., program on disability... (Wilkes Barre Citizen's Voice, PA)
Social Security Backlog Hits Home Aug 2, 2007
But a couple of years ago, he missed a doctor's appointment in Queens, and the government stopped his checks. "They said this was the doctor for my case, and I had to use this one," said the 48-year-old Mauriello, a veteran and former van driver for the elderly. (Suffolk Life Newspapers, NY)
MOH extends payout period for IDAPE scheme to 6 years Jul 8, 2007
SINGAPORE: The Health Ministry has extended the payout period for Singaporeans with severe disabilities under its Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) from five to six years. The move, which costs the government an additional S 10 million, will benefit 3,700 Singaporeans. (Channel NewsAsia, Singapore)
Andersonville's newest battle May 27, 2007
This month Boyles testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, pointing out the uniqueness of Andersonville. It is one of only two national cemeteries within the National Park Service still open to veterans for burial. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Editorial - Eminently quotable May 12, 2007
John Hall, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on disability assistance. His comments came in a hearing about the bonuses set to be awarded to senior VA officials, ranging up to 33,000. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Shelter gives moms hope May 12, 2007
3 million grant from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Homeless Housing and Assistance Program to renovate the building. In February 2006, the center began operating as a not-for-profit organization under its own board of directors. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
Bill would pay mariners for service during WWII Apr 19, 2007
Mariners were not classified as veterans until a 1988 court case forced the Department of Defense to grant veteran status to the 250,000 who served during World War II. Today, some mariners and other civilian personnel, such as the Women Airforce Service Pilots, can get health care, disability assistance and burial benefits through the VA.. They did, however, miss out on the generous GI Bill that allowed a generation of returning soldiers and sailors to earn college diplomas and buy their first... (Sun-Sentinel.com)
Weather Dampens Spamarama -- But Die-Hards Attend Apr 8, 2007
The party benefits Disability Assistance of Central Texas. . (K-Eye News, TX)
Housing chief has roots in the region Apr 3, 2007
Some developments for low- and moderate-income residents get money from multiple state agencies including DHCR, the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. "It is one state. Even though there are multiple agencies, it shouldn't be difficult to access funds," she said. (Albany Times Union)
A loss of federal timber receipts is leading to budget trouble Apr 1, 2007
Once in the juvenile system, correctional and other staff discovered his limits and placed him in rehabilitation, where he's getting help and qualifies for disability assistance. Such success stories may become less common in Klamath County as local government has to deal with the loss of federal timber payments. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
More of this story Mar 24, 2007
This is essentially the same system that is used elsewhere in government, for example, the Internal Revenue Service for taxes and the Securities and Exchange Commission for filings, Bilmes recently told the House Veterans Affairs disability assistance subcommittee. The proposal interested the subcommittee chairman, Rep. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Veterans Affairs System Is Strained, GAO Says Mar 14, 2007
chairman of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on disability assistance, floated the possibility that the Veterans Affairs Department should be merged into the. "When our soldiers and military personnel return home and need help, they should get the assistance they have earned without delay," said Hall, D-N.Y.. (Fox News -- Politics)
Bill would name post office after Lane Evans Feb 1, 2007
- Hare also announced Monday that he has been named to two House Veterans Affairs Committee subcommittees Health, and Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Hare said as a member of the subcommittees he will work to fully fund Veterans Administration health care, ensure disability assistance is handed out in a more timely fashion and give all veterans the dignity of a proper burial. (Kewanee Star Courier, IL)
Replacement Food Stamps available due to extended power loss Jan 19, 2007
ALBANY In response to the severe ice storm that hit much of New York this weekend, the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance wants to inform Food Stamp recipients who lost food due to ice-related power outages that they may be eligible for replacement benefits. The unexpected loss of groceries for families that rely on a monthly allocation of Food Stamp benefits to make ends meet can be a devastating experience, said David Hansell, acting commissioner of the state Office of... (Little Falls Evening Times, NY)
Blind concessionaire takes over at stand Jan 17, 2007
She said Fairbanks' employment decreases the likelihood of his seeking disability assistance from Social Security. Brian Sigman, executive director of the state Board of Education and Services for the Blind, said Fairbanks could earn as much as $20,000 annually working the stand after paying his suppliers and employee. (Stamford Advocate)
