New York State residents who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) also receive a state supplement.  For 2014, the maximum federal SSI amount is $721 and the NYS supplement is $87 bringing the maximum SSI benefit to $808 per month.  At this time, New York State residents receive these benefits in one payment from the Social Security Administration (SSA), usually direct deposited into the recipient’s bank account.  Starting October 1, 2014, New York SSI recipients will receive their federal SSI benefit and the state supplement benefit separately.

Families in need of a private-duty caregiver have a laundry list of items to account for during the hiring process. Most importantly is selecting the right candidate, but once that item is crossed off the list, it’s crucial to account for the expenses of hiring this new household employee. When you make a caregiver a compensation offer, it is critical that both of you are on the same page as to what the Gross Wages and Net Pay will be.

Each year in the United States, more than 30,000 children become permanently disabled following a brain injury resulting from such incidents as falls, sports-related concussions, anoxia, stroke, and vehicular crashes. As a child gets older, that part of the brain previously damaged may not work as well as it should. Problems seen in children after brain injury include deficits or altered development in attention and concentration, memory, and organizational skills as well as changes in behavioral, social, and emotional functioning.

By Tom Breedlove, Director, Care.com HomePay, Provided by Breedlove

When a family hires an individual to perform duties in or around their home, they are considered a household employer. The IRS views the worker — whether a nanny, senior caregiver, health aide, etc. — as an employee of the family for whom she works. For most families, having household payroll and tax responsibilities is akin to learning a new language and most have no clue where to go for guidance.

An important change has taken place in Medicare payments for certain types of skilled care, such as physical therapy. Thanks to the terms of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit, no longer will Medicare payments be discontinued because a patient’s condition has stopped improving. This is a significant benefit for many patients whose conditions may not be improving, but who need skilled care to keep their conditions from deteriorating. However, the change was made quietly, without informing Medicare beneficiaries, so many people are not aware of the new rules.

Major League Baseball is hosting a number of events in the coming months to support autism awareness.

The New York Yankees are offering half-price tickets to members of the Autism Speaks community for their Saturday, August 9 home game against the Cleveland Indians. The offer is valid for select general, non-premium seating areas. Fans may purchase these tickets at a half-price savings from the regular advance ticket price.

Annuities are an investment tool that investors use to help plan for retirement. Before deciding whether to make an annuity contract part of your financial plan, it is important to understand how annuities work and what potential pitfalls you need to watch out for. Annuity contracts are usually made between an investor and a life…

Despite our hopes, being discharged from rehab to home is sometimes complicated and inappropriate. A family member recently had an extended hospital stay followed by a few weeks in a rehabilitation facility for therapy to regain physical strength.  He only longed to go home and sleep in his own bed in his own home. We all know how wonderful that would eventually be, but being discharged from rehab to home is sometimes complicated and inappropriate. A hospital stay can be disorienting for the best of us, but more so for older adults, making the transition to home more difficult.

Financial Literacy Month is being observed in April 2014. This is an excellent time to recognize the important role that financial literacy plays in individual economic security and the financial health of the nation. Many Americans are not well-informed about important financial issues that affect their everyday lives. Schools, parents, government agencies and financial institutions and advisers all have a role to play in helping to increase knowledge and understanding of critical economic issues.

Landmarks around the world, including New York’s Empire State Building, will shine blue lights on Wednesday to show their support for autism awareness. Organizations large and small will host events to raise awareness of the growing public health issue of autism spectrum disorders. World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) follows a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics show, According to the report, one in 68 American children have an autism diagnosis, a 30 percent increase from a CDC study conducted last year, and more than double the number of children estimated to have autism in a 2000 study.