Long Energy Ravena Propane Heating HVAC

Hochul: Vaccinate for a chance at free college education

In Current Events, Current Events - Greenville, Health & Wellness, Health & Wellness - Greenville, Lifestyle, Lifestyle - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer
December 14, 2021
0
Share

By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media

Woman standing at a pdium, speaking with flags in the background.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announces a new incentive program to encourage families to have their children ages 5-11 vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

ALBANY — Students ages 5 to 11 who get the COVID-19 vaccine have the chance to win a free college education.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 9 announced the “Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate” vaccine incentive to encourage families to vaccinate their children against
the virus. Children who receive their first dose of the vaccine by Dec. 19 are entered into a random drawing to win a full scholarship to a State University of
New York or City University of New York institution.

Scholarships apply to both two- and four-year colleges, and cover tuition, room and board.

Group of females standing next to eachother.
Gov. Kathy Hochul with several youngsters following the announcement of the launch of the “Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate” incentive program.

There will be 10 winners statewide each week beginning Nov. 24. The final 10 winners will be announced Dec. 22.

“Finally, the COVID-19 vaccine is here for young New Yorkers age 5 through 11,” Hochul said. “Our critical work to make the vaccine accessible and available to all eligible children and their families is underway — and we will creatively support and celebrate those who get vaccinated. The ‘Vaccinate, Educate,
Graduate’ program is an extraordinary opportunity for children to win free tuition to a SUNY or CUNY college or university, and I urge parents and guardians to help their children get vaccinated and enter into this once-in-a lifetime program.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Nov. 2 that children ages 5-11 be vaccinated against the
virus with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. The CDC’s recommendation made about 28 million children eligible for the
vaccine, according to the agency.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the
virus that causes COVID-19,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement Nov. 2. “We know
millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about
28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician,
school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”

Winners of the SUNY or CUNY scholarships will receive full in-state tuition and non-tuition costs including room and board, books, supplies and transportation. If on-campus housing is not available at the school the student attends, they will receive
the same allowance as students living on campus.

Meanwhile, the goal of the “Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate” program is to incentivize families to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19 now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children ages 5-11.

“Expanding vaccine eligibility to children as young as 5 years old gives us even greater confidence that we will effectively subdue COVID-19 and put the conditions in place for New York’s full economic recovery,” CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos
Rodriguez said in a statement. “The ‘Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate’ program will further incentivize parents and guardians to
get their children protected, and we strongly encourage them to do so.”

The option to vaccinate younger children is another step toward normalcy, particularly in the classroom, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said.

“Vaccinations were the key to a more normal academic and campus experience throughout SUNY,” Malatras said. “Now that even younger individuals have an approved vaccine option, this is another huge step to seeing the finish line of this pandemic, and we must continue to do all we can to encourage everyone to get their shot.”

Incentives have been used throughout the pandemic to encourage vaccinations among other age groups statewide, including free tickets to attractions and sporting events, and even pre-paid debit cards.

To be eligible to be entered into the scholarship drawing, children must be between the ages of 5 and 11, be residents
of New York state and lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens, according to the governor’s website.

Federal COVID-19 relief and outreach funds are being used to cover the cost of the vaccination incentive program, according to
the governor’s website.

New Yorkers looking to schedule a vaccine appointment for their child should call their child’s pediatrician, family physician, county health department, pharmacy or other health care facility. You can also visit vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 for more information.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children, visit ny.gov/vaxforkids.

Related Posts
Headshot of a man named Russell Gloor

Social Security Matters: I have VA coverage: Should I get Medicare Part B?

In Columns, Columns - Greenville, Columns - Ravena, Lifestyle - Greenville, Lifestyle - Ravena, The Greenville Pioneer, The Ravena News Herald
January 9, 2022
0

By Russell Gloor

For Capital Region Independent Media

Headshot of a man named Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty: I am a 74-year-old veteran enrolled with the VA. I have never had Medicare Part B. Should I? My only source of income is Social Security.

Signed: Retired Veteran

Dear Retired Veteran: First, thank you for your service to our country.

Like you, I use the VA for certain health care needs but, unlike you, I am also enrolled in Medicare Part B. The decision on whether to have both is a personal choice only you can make, but I’ll give you some things to consider: 

If you are 100% satisfied with your VA coverage, and if that coverage is conveniently available to you, and if the VA provides all the health care you will ever need wherever you happen to be, then enrolling in Medicare Part B may not be needed in your personal situation.

For me, the nearest full service VA facility is about 40 miles away, while just about every imaginable private health care service is nearby. Thus, for convenience reasons, I am enrolled in Part B so I can use any doctor or medical service provider I want within just a few miles of my home.

I also travel a fair amount, and I like the convenience and flexibility of using any health care provider I happen to be near, without worrying about finding a VA facility or VA-affiliated private provider.

So, for me, it all comes down to convenience and flexibility to use any health care provider I want. I use my VA coverage when it’s convenient for me, but otherwise use non-VA providers. But your needs may be different. 

Your choice may be especially different since your only source of income is Social Security. There is a premium associated with Medicare Part B ($170.10 per month for 2022), which would be taken from your Social Security payment, thus reducing it. That may create a financial issue for you, which is obviously an important consideration when deciding if you should also enroll in Part B to supplement your VA coverage.

But there’s yet another concern if you enroll in Part B now. 

Since you’re 74 and have relied solely on the VA for your health care needs since turning 65, you’ll be subject to a late enrollment penalty if you enroll in Part B now, and that penalty may make Part B even more unaffordable for you. Your VA health care coverage isn’t considered a “creditable” alternative to Part B, which means that a late enrollment penalty of 10% additional premium will be assessed for each full year you went without Part B coverage.

For example, instead of the standard Part B premium of $170.10, your premium with the late enrollment penalty could be about $323 per month. And, unfortunately, that penalty lasts for as long as you are enrolled in Part B and will increase along with any increases to the Part B premium as time passes. 

For your awareness, if Social Security is your only source of income, you may be eligible for your state’s Medicare Savings Program, which can assist you with paying Medicare premiums and copayments. If your income falls below the required thresholds you may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program as described at this website: www.benefits.gov/benefit/4396.  

Finally, the AMAC Foundation has a repository of helpful information for America’s veterans, which you can browse at this link: www.amacfoundation.org/veteran-resources/.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.



Social Security Matters: Will opening a joint account affect my disabled father’s SSI?

In Lifestyle, Lifestyle - Ravena, The Ravena News Herald
September 21, 2023
0

By Russell Gloor

For Capital Region Independent Media 

Dear Rusty:

I live in Michigan and my senior disabled father lives in rural Kentucky. His income is part Social Security and part disability.

I talked to a local credit union near his home and explained I would like to open a joint account. They said as long as he comes in with his ID it’s possible.

My question is — will adding money to our joint account affect his SSI and disability?

Signed: Caring Daughter

Dear Caring Daughter:

First, I need to clarify that there are two types of disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

The acronym “SSI” normally refers to “Supplemental Security Income,” which is a benefit for disabled senior adults (and children) who have very little income and very few assets. “SSI” is not Social Security income; rather, it is a general benefit program jointly administered by the Social Security Administration and the state in which your father lives.

In contrast, Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits are earned from working and are not affected by the recipient’s assets, as are “SSI” benefits. 

From what you’ve written, I assume that your father may have a small Social Security retirement benefit (because he has reached his full retirement age and SSDI isn’t available after full retirement age), and he is also receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. If this is the case, although your father’s Social Security retirement benefit would not be affected by opening a joint account at the credit union, his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefit likely will be.

As co-owner of the joint account your assets would count towards your father’s “SSI” asset limit, and your assets, as well as any “in-kind” assistance you otherwise provide, would likely put your father over the SSI income/asset eligibility limit and result in his SSI benefits being terminated.

So, although the credit union may be willing to open a joint account for you and your father, I’m afraid that would result in your father losing his SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits, leaving him with only his small Social Security retirement benefit.

You may wish to review the SSI eligibility information at this link: www.ssa.gov/ssi/eligibility or you could contact the Social Security Administration and ask to speak with someone experienced with Supplemental Security Income matters.

For clarity, “SSI” assistance is jointly administered by the Social Security Administration and each state’s Human Services department, and assistance available varies somewhat depending on the recipient’s state of residence. Thus, since your father lives in Kentucky, you might also contact that state’s human services agency to discuss your options for providing remote assistance to your father without jeopardizing his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit: www.chfs.ky.gov/Pages/contact.aspx.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

Ravena News-Herald

The Ravena News-Herald is a weekly newspaper reporting on the news in the Ravena, Coeymans and New Baltimore communities of beautiful upstate New York.

Greenville Pioneer

Greene County’s independent newspaper. Featuring local news, letters to the editor, upcoming events, police blotter, columns from local writers and more.

The Columbia Paper

The Columbia Paper is a weekly newspaper reporting news and events from the communities of Columbia County in beautiful upstate New York.

Copyright © 2024
Capital Region Independent Media.

Powered by CityMediaInc.com