Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, April 5, 2019 BEACON | from page 17 through years of study and practice. The vague wording of the legislation provides too much room for interpretation in an area that requires caution and precision from government intervention. By voting ‘present’ we hoped to register our concerns while making it clear that these types of coercive therapies have no place in the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the ban). Sen. Joseph Boncore Yes CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THERAPY BAN (S 2187) Senate 6-32, rejected a proposal asking the Supreme Judicial Court to advise the Senate on whether the therapy ban is constitutional. The court would be asked if the bill violates the provisions of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by violating the right of free speech of professional counselors; the constitutional rights of parents; or the constitutional or statutory rights of privacy or patient confidentiality. Supporters of asking the court about the constitutionality of the therapy ban said they support the conversion therapy ban but are concerned that the ban is likely to be challenged. They believe the Senate should get an opinion before the challenge in order to ensure the bill doesn’t get delayed. “We are confident that the pending bill is constitutional,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (DSalem) who opposed getting the court’s opinion. “It relies on well-established authority of the state to regulate professional conduct.” (A “Yes” vote is for getting a court opinion. A “No” vote is against getting it). Sen. Joseph Boncore No REMOVE CAP ON WELFARE BENEFITS FOR KIDS (S 2186) Senate 37-1, approved a bill that repeals the current law that denies an additional $100 per month in welfare benefits to children conceived while— or soon after—the family began receiving welfare benefits or, if they had received family welfare benefits in the past. The law was adopted in 1995 as part of a welfare reform package that was aimed at discouraging families already receiving public support from having more children. The House has approved its own version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. Supporters of the repeal said that there are some 8,700 children who currently fall under the cap in the Bay State. These families are barred from receiving an additional $100 a month to help support that child. They said there are no facts to back up the charge that families are having more children in order to get the additional $100. “I have heard countless per~ Legal Notice ~ Public Hearing Notice is hereby given in accordance Sections 1-40 of Chapter 82 of the Massachusetts General Laws and Title 12, Chapter 12.12, Section 12.12.050 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Revere that the Revere City Council will conduct a public hearing on Monday evening, April 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Councillor Joseph A. DelGrosso City Council Chamber of Revere City Hall, 281 Broadway, Revere, MA on the application of Bernard J. Schram, Trustee of the 257 Washington Avenue Realty Trust for the purpose of considering the discontinuance and abandonment of a certain portion of Lincoln Street as illustrated on the petitioner’s plan. A copy of the aforementioned plan is on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, Revere City Hall, 281 Broadway, Revere, Massachusetts, Monday through Thursday from 8:15 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Friday 8:15 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. Attest: Ashley E. Melnik City Clerk March 22, March 29 & April 5 sonal accounts from many families who are hurt by this cap on kids,” said Sen. Sal DiDomenico (DEverett), the Senate sponsor of the proposal. “Because their benefits are so low, parents with ‘capped’ children struggle to meet their families’ basic needs. For instance, they often can’t pay for enough diapers to keep their child clean, dry and healthy. And they are forced to make painful choices about which necessities they can afford. We know that it’s time to take action to repeal this outdated, ineffective and unjust policy, and show that we value all children equally, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.” “I think it’s unfair to ask the constituents back home to pay for a benefit for others that they don’t get themselves,” said Sen. Don Humason (RWestfield), the only opponent of the bill. He said the Legislature should have a big heart and take care of people but noted he also needs to listen to his constituents who tell him they are having a difficult time making ends meet and are limiting the number of children they have. He said his constituents tell him they are not eligible for any welfare benefits but are forced to pay these benefits for others who decide to have more children. (A “Yes” vote is for removing the cap. A “No” vote is against BEACON | SEE PAGE 19 S by Jim Miller How SSI Can Help Low-Income Seniors and the Disabled Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about the Supplemental Security Income program and what are the eligibility requirements? My father is very low-income, so I’m wondering if this is something he may qualify for. Searching Daughter Dear Searching, Supplemental Security Income (or SSI) is a program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash benefits to people that are disabled or over 65 based on financial need. Currently, more than 8 million people are receiving SSI benefits. Here’s what you should know. Eligibility Requirements To qualify for SSI your dad must be either age 65 or older, blind or disabled, and must be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident. He must also have limited assets and income. His assets must be less than $2,000 or $3,000 for couples. This includes cash, bank accounts, other personal property, and anything else that could potentially be converted to cash. His home, household goods and one vehicle, along with life insurance policies and burial funds valued under $1,500; do not count towards countable assets. The income limit to qualify for SSI, however, is much more complicated. Countable income includes wages or any other kind of money your dad earned from working, plus money he gets from other sources like unemployment, Social Security retirement, or gifts from friends, but also, free food or shelter. In 2019, the SSI allowable income limit is $771 a month for an individual or $1,157 a month for a couple. So, if your dad’s countable income is over the SSI allowable limit (this is based on a complex set of rules and calculations – see SSA.gov/ssi/ text-income-ussi.htm) he would not qualify. But if he’s under it, he would qualify for some benefits depending on his countable income. To help you determine if your dad is eligible for SSI, help him take the Social Security Administration’s benefits screening test at SSAbest.benefits.gov. This online questionnaire takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and screens for a variety of benefits, not just SSI. You should also know that most states – except Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota and West Virginia – supplement the federal SSI payment with payments of their own. In some of the states that pay a supplement, your dad may qualify for the state payment even if he doesn’t meet the federal SSI eligibility criteria. How to Apply If you think that your dad is eligible for SSI, call 800-772-1213 and set up an appointment to apply at his local Social Security office. To help make the application process go quickly and smoothly, your dad should bring his Social Security number; birth certificate or other proof of age; information about the home where he lives, such as his mortgage, or lease and the landlord’s name; payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, burial fund records and other information about his income and the things he owns; his proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status; and if he is applying for SSI because he is disabled or blind, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that have information related to his condition. For more information visit SSA.gov/ssi or call Social Security at 800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you a copy of publication 11000 “Supplemental Security Income (SSI).” You can also read it online at SSA.gov/pubs/EN-05-11000.pdf. Other Assistance Programs Depending on your dad’s income, needs and location there are other financial assistance programs that may be able to help him like Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, food stamps and energy assistance. To find out what he may be eligible for go to BenefitsCheckUp.org. This is a free, confidential Web tool that contains more than 2,500 programs. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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