Social Security Pressured By Congress To Improve Service

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


After a flood of customer complaints which have gotten even worse following pandemic-related shutdowns, the Social Security Administration, SSA, is under intense pressure from Congress.  Leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee wrote a letter to acting SSA commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi which said, in part, “Many people, some of whom are elderly…have had to wait more than six hours to get help. …People have had to come back multiple days to get service.â€Â  Those who called faced a similar situation with much longer than average wait times.  “Agency-wide, we are at our lowest staffing level in 25 years, driven by years of insufficient funding,†Social Security spokesperson Nicole Tiggemann said in an email to AARP.

 

Carmel, CA Family Caregivers May Soon Get A Tax Credit Of Up To $5K

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A bill which is working its way through both houses of Congress would give a much-needed financial break to 48 million family caregivers in America who struggle every day as they care for a loved one.  I know the feeling well, I cared for my grandmother in my own home over five years until she passed away just shy of her 98th birthday.  She had Alzheimer’s disease and was quite a handful.  However, it was very fulfilling personally to be able to be there as she struggled in her final years.  If you face a similar situation, please contact our local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch.  They have some wonderful people and there is also a 24-hour hotline where you can speak to someone compassionate when you are struggling at 800-272-3900.  Thankfully, The Credit for Caring Act which was introduced back in May in the U.S. Senate looks likely to pass, and it will give a tax credit of up to $5K to working family caregivers.  It would give eligible family members a 30% credit for qualified expenses above $2K, paying for things like home care aides, adult day care, respite care and home modifications like ramps and smart technology to make your home safer.

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2021/new-credit-for-caring-act.html