Anna Sappington, Esq.

One proposal for providing aid during COVID has been to provide $11,000 to a person for each year s/he agrees to postpone claiming Social Security retirement benefits. For example, I could get $22,000 if I agreed to be ineligible for Social Security retirement benefits until age 69. As an advocate for the general public, I support expanded unemployment benefits plus additional economic relief. Workers sidelined by COVID should not have to choose between immediate financial ruin and their financial security in old age. The U.S. is behind the curve in protecting our citizens from the pandemic, both medically and financially. Why can't the U.S.A. match the support other countries are providing their citizens? https://www.cnbc.com//americans-take-dim-view-of-raiding-s

On Wednesday, May 20, starting at 11am: "Lightning presentations and panel discussions from field experts on how to support students with additional needs as they navigate distance learning and take on summer vacation in these turbulent times."

From Philadelphia’s Education Law Center:

A good, short article from WHYY describing the challenges of meeting the mandate to provide individualized instruction for special needs students during the COVID shutdown. https://whyy.org//special-education-during-coronavirus-wh/

Information about IRS link to request economic impact checks for people receiving SSI (and those who don’t get Social Security benefits and didn’t file tax returns in ‘18 or ‘19).

My earlier post regarding the federal government's "economic impact payments" (the official name for the $1,200 checks we're supposed to get) now is out of date. The IRS' website now says that all of the following should receive their payment automatically: people who filed returns in 2018 or 2019;and those who receive Social Security retirement benefits, SSDI, RRB Railroad Retirement Benefits, or Survivors Benefits. However, if you receive SSI, or if you don't receive any benefits and haven't filed in 2018 or '19, then you would need to fill out a form online in order to get your check. The website below has the link to the form. https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

Washington Post reports that IRS is requiring people to file tax returns in order to receive "economic impact payment" (coronavirus stimulus) checks. See comments for link to IRS' web page with information on receiving payments. https://www.washingtonpost.com//bailout-checks-social-sec/

I am excited to be teaching Special Needs Benefits and Planning for Mt. Airy Learning Tree (even if my classes might not go forward as scheduled this session). Check me out on page 27 of the catalog!

After many months of work, it's here it's here it's here! The publisher just sent over copies of the new edition of my book!

Great story about a kid with a wheelchair recognizing someone who looks like him in Target’s advertising. Thank you, Target! https://abc7.com//2-year-old-stares-in-awe-at-ta/5924644/

Check out my new blog post about mental health powers of attorney and mental health care declarations, which allow persons with neurodivergence to exercise more control over their treatment during their active episodes. https://www.asappingtonlaw.com/mental-health-care-declarat/

This article caught my eye as my family prepares for my oldest to get braces next week. NYT reports about unhappy customers of SmileDirectClub, the braces-alternative advertised on T.V. From the article: "SmileDirectClub's actions underlie the risks of ordering products from young companies that are bringing sstart-up-style 'disruption'" to health." https://www.nytimes.com//t/smiledirectclub-smile-nda.html

On March 5, there is an event discussing supported decision-making -- a technique adults with diminished capacity can use in lieu of a power of attorney and to avoid guardianship. See the flyer below for more details. Supported decision-making has been taking off in other states (often, in the context of adults with special needs), and there is growing interest in having it as an option in Pennsylvania. Interested? I'm thinking about attending, if you want company!