The new deadline to file federal and state taxes is May 17, 2021. Your taxes may be more complicated this year because of COVID-19 in 2020. You may have had unemployment income and stimulus payments, and be affected by tax law changes in the recent $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill. The new tax deadline gives you extra time to gather …
Short on Money? It’s Time to Take Charge
Does COVID-19 have you wondering how to meet your basic needs and still pay your bills? If so, you’re not alone. One-third of adults in Wisconsin said it was difficult to pay for usual household expenses in a recent U.S. Census survey. The anxiety you may be feeling is normal, especially if your employment or income has been affected by the …
COVID-19 Money Struggles? Some Resources to Help
Money struggles happen during ordinary times, and these are no ordinary times. COVID-19 disrupted life as we knew it in 2020, creating new challenges for people with disabilities to meet their short and long-term money goals. Fortunately, we’re all in this together. Federal, local, and grass roots organizations have come together to provide useful resources to help people with disabilities …
COVID-19 and Taxes: Free Help to File
Although 2020 was difficult year for many of us, there were a few silver linings to the cloud. Stimulus checks, expanded unemployment benefits, the ability to work remotely, and tax relief packages enabled many of us to meet our basic needs and make it through an extraordinarily challenging time. These same silver linings may cause your taxes to look a …
Setting Goals for 2021: It All Begins with Attitude
After 2020, your approach to setting goals for the new year may be different than in years past. 2020 was tough, so this may be the year to give yourself permission to go easy on yourself with setting employment and financial goals. It may also be the year that you explore and tap into new opportunities for employment and financial …
Free Tax Preparation Services to Meet the July 15, 2020 Filing Deadline
The tax filing deadline was extended to July 15, 2020, by The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and State of Wisconsin in response to COVID-19. If you haven’t filed your taxes already, you still have time to get free tax preparation help. Individual resource agencies listed here may have COVID-19 protection requirements, such as social distancing or temperature screenings, to protect …
10 Personal Money Management Resources for 2020
Here’s a question you may be asked as a professional providing services to people with disabilities. What tools and resources are available to support or assist people in improving their personal finances? Here are a few to check out and bookmark to your resource lists. America Saves (Online)This website is dedicated to helping individuals save money, reduce debt, and build …
A Little Spending Money
Wow! Is it true that teenagers spend 9 hours a day using social media?! I’m not a teen, but I know I’m guilty of social media/net surfing addiction. Maybe you spend a lot of your time the same way, maybe you’re a stay at home mom, or just have extra time on your hands. Everyone wants to make money for doing …
Continued Medicaid Eligibility While Working: Section 1619(b)
If you could keep your Medicaid coverage AND earn enough money to get off of SSI, would you? Many people would, but don’t even know it’s even a possibility. I have good news for you! Continued Medicaid Eligibility, or Section 1619(b), is a work incentive that allows people to keep their Medicaid even if their earnings are so high that …
Unknown Assets and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries occasionally learn they own a countable asset they weren’t aware of. For example, a beneficiary may discover that a relative had purchased stock for them and it has a cash value. Determining If an Unknown Asset is a Countable Asset In this type of situation, Social Security first determines if the SSI beneficiary has: ownership …