Patti's Blog - Advocate for Elders, People with Disabilities and Their Families

IRS Announces Qualified Disaster Treatment of Payments to Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Excerpt from: IRS.gov (click for more information)

 

The Internal Revenue Service today alerted employers and other taxpayers that because Hurricane Sandy is designated as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes, qualified disaster relief payments made to individuals by their employer or any person can be excluded from those individuals’ taxable income.

Qualified disaster relief payments include amounts to cover necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses that were not covered by insurance. They also include expenses to repair or rehabilitate personal residences or repair or replace the contents to the extent that they were not covered by insurance. Again, these payments would not be included in the individual recipient’s gross income.

The IRS also announced that the designation of Hurricane Sandy as a qualified disaster means that employer-sponsored private foundations may provide disaster relief to employee-victims in areas affected by the hurricane without affecting their tax-exempt status. Like all charitable organizations, employer-sponsored private foundations should follow the guidance in Publication 3833, Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations, in providing assistance to employees or their family members affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Your Legal Corner: Disability and the personal injury claim

Excerpt from: NewJersey.com (click for full article)

 

Before, during and after hurricane Sandy, I could think of only one word … patience. As we were bombarded with repetitive information preparing for the pending storm … patience. When learning how to operate a generator or battery back- up sump pump or simply taking the dogs out amid torrential rain during the storm … patience.

Similarly, if you have been in an accident or have been harmed in some way and now await a personal injury award; when the personal injury claim finally settles, in many instances this case is not necessarily complete ... patience. Before signing off and accepting that personal injury award, it is extremely important to discuss with your attorney whether or not a special needs trust is required.

Settlement funds which are transferred directly to a “disabled” plaintiff may cause the loss of monthly means tested benefits and no matter how extensive the settlement amount received is; the account will eventually run dry.

A special needs trust may be needed if you are a disabled person within the meaning of the Social Security Act. Discuss the possibility of a special needs trust if you are presently receiving SSI, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Section 8 Housing, Veterans Benefits, Waiver Programs, or any other type of means tested benefits. Means tested benefits are those which require the recipient to have income below a certain level in order to continue to receive specific benefits. Once the recipient is above the amount permissible the benefits are extinguished.

 

 

In Sandy’s Wake, Impact On Those With Disabilities Unclear

Excerpt from: Disability Scoop (click for full article)

 

As communities up and down the East Coast deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, several disability advocacy groups are stepping up to help those affected.

National organizations including The Arc, Autism Speaks and the Autism Society are reaching out to families of those with developmental disabilities to help them access assistance and in some cases offering financial support.

As of Friday, officials at Autism Speaks said they had heard from about 120 families and had added an extra staff member to handle the volume of requests.

“I believe that we are just scratching the surface so far,” said Lisa Goring, the organization’s vice president of family services.

The task has been difficult, with widespread power outages affecting communication and forcing local offices of many disability organizations in the affected region to close. As a result, the full impact of the storm on people with disabilities is unlikely to be known for some time, advocates say.

The National Disability Rights Network has an ongoing relationship with the Red Cross and federal agencies to ensure support for those with special needs in disasters.

How To Figure Out If A Charity Might Be A Scam

Excerpt from: The Consumerist (click for full article)

 

t’s not just home-repair scams that pop up in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy. There will also be grade-A-holes out there trying to trick consumers out of money by pretending to be raising money to help those hurt by the storm.

And of course there will also be legitimate charities looking to raise money to aid those affected by the hurricane, so it’s best that consumers know how to tell the real ones from the liars.

The anti-scam folks at the Federal Trade Commission have this checklist for dealing with a possible charity to make sure you’re not getting hosed:

Don’t be shy about asking who wants your money.

Call the charity.

Ask for written information about the charity.

Contact the office that regulates charitable organizations and charitable solicitations in your state

Trust your gut and check your records.

Be wary of charities that spring up overnight

Watch out for similar sounding names

Be wary of charities eager to collect cash.

Know the difference between “tax exempt” and “tax deductible.”

Do not send or give cash donations.

Hurricane Sandy Is Added Burden On Children With Special Needs

Excerpt from: HuffPost (click for full post)

 

Hurricane Sandy was a trial for all parents, but it was a particular burden for those whose children have special needs.

“By definition, kids on the spectrum are not usually go-with-the-flow kinds of kids,” said Dr. Rachel Busman, a clinical psychiatrist at the Child Mind Institute. “So having a lack of routine and structure can be difficult.”

Those parents took to the internet during the storm and its aftermath, sharing lists of organizations that specifically provide support for parents of children with disabilities, and posts with advice on how to calm kids feeling distraught or frightened.

To that end, The Friendship Circle, a resource blog for parents and educators, offers “How To Prepare Your Special Needs Child For The Next Hurricane.” It includes advice specific to a population with disabilities: keeping orthotics and medication in a backpack or duffle bag; making sure noise sensitive children have soundproof headphones; and making sure those who respond to touch have things like silly putty or a fuzzy blanket.

Sandy and the Election Storm!

President Obama Signs Emergency Declarations Making Federal Aid Available to States Affected by Hurricane Sandy

FEMA.gov (click for more info and press releases from FEMA)

President Obama's statement about Hurricane Sandy (click link for article and video)

President Obama has signed emergency declarations for several mid-Atlantic and Northeaster states, making federal emergency aid available to help with the response to Hurricane Sandy. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for resources that can help you prepare for, respond to and recover from a disaster. There’s also information about taking care of immediate needs like finding shelter, and an online questionnaire to find out what types of assistance you may be eligible to receive following a disaster.

Disability Round-Up

Excerpt from: About.com (click for more information)

 

As Hurricane Sandy approaches the east cost, our thoughts turn toward the multitudes of people who will be facing this disaster. This week, Charlotte Gerber shares the importance of disaster preparation for individuals with disabilities and provides several excellent disaster preparation resources. Also check out her article on preparing for the "Frankenstorm." Turning to the rest of the country, Terri Mauro shares ideas for sensory friendly Halloween costumes, Halloween games, bouncing cats, and more fun things to do. Explore the differences between ADD and ADHD in this helpful overview from Keath Low. Also, October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and Dr. Vincent Iannelli offers tips to and recognize, deal with, and prevent bullying.