Emma Johnson 
New York families have reason to celebrate as Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the distribution of $350 million in state revenues throughout August 2024. This initiative is part of the expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit (ESCC) program, designed to provide essential financial support to families with children under 17 years old. With the rising … Read more
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits provide crucial financial support to individuals with qualifying disabilities. While the payments in August 2024 started earlier in the month, not all recipients have received their checks yet. Here’s what you need to know about the remaining SSDI payments in August, eligibility criteria, and how much you can expect … Read more
Retirement should be a time to enjoy your hobbies and the freedom that comes with it. However, if you don’t prepare for taxes, your fixed income might shrink faster than you expect. Thankfully, there are several tax breaks designed to help retirees keep more of their money. Here are eight tax breaks you should be … Read more
The excitement is building for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients as they anticipate the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). However, this much-needed financial boost won’t be in their pockets just yet. The Social Security Administration (SSA) won’t reveal the official COLA percentage until October 10, 2024. This leaves SSI beneficiaries waiting a few more … Read more
CalFresh, California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), plays a crucial role in helping low-income individuals and families purchase essential food items. With the rising number of beneficiaries, it’s more important than ever to know when you’ll receive your benefits and how to make the most of them. Payment Schedule CalFresh distributes benefits … Read more
When it comes to Social Security benefits, there are various types designed to assist different segments of the population, including workers with disabilities and those with low incomes. However, the largest benefit available in the United States is not linked to disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Instead, it is the benefit reserved for retirees … Read more
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently introduced a significant change in how it evaluates applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. As of June 22, applicants are no longer required to provide an extensive work history covering the past 15 years. Instead, they now only need to list … Read more
The Alaska Permanent Fund, established in 1976, manages and invests the state’s surplus oil revenues. Each year, a portion of the profits is distributed among Alaskan residents through the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). In August 2024, some Alaskans will receive a $1,312 payment, often referred to as a stimulus check. Qualifying The PFD program ensures … Read more
Every year, the maximum SSI payment amount typically increases, ensuring that millions of Americans can maintain their purchasing power. This annual increase is thanks to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). For instance, SSI benefits saw a 3.2% increase in 2024. But did you know that some states offer additional payments on top of federal … Read more
Exciting news for SNAP recipients! Starting October 1, 2024, the USDA, through the FNS, will implement a new COLA increase for SNAP benefits. This means that Food Stamps recipients will see a boost in their benefits. Let’s cut into what this change means for you and your household. Increase If you live in the 48 … Read more