Can being creative lead to better health? Science says yes. Really. Many studies in recent years link creativity to improved overall and mental health. Benefits of engaging in creative activities can include: You don’t have to be an artist to be creative. One person may be creative with a home repair or remodeling job. Another may plant and nurture a …
Clubhouses: Offering Hope to People with Mental Illness
We all need a place where we feel like we belong, people we feel connected to, and to know we’re needed and valued. Meeting these needs can be especially challenging for people who experience mental illness. Fortunately, Clubhouses empower people with mental illness opportunities to lead more fulfilling, productive lives. Through working with others as valued participants, Clubhouse members develop …
Mental Health Month 2019: The Mind-Body Connection
What do animal companionship, spirituality and religion, humor, work-life balance, and social connections all have in common? They’re all ways to boost mental health and general wellness. Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as …
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. In this type of situation, Social Security first determines if the SSI beneficiary has: If so, the asset is a countable resource for SSI, …
Free Tax Preparation Services
If you’re like a lot of people, you may have waited until now to start thinking about doing your taxes… and may be wondering how you’re going to get them filed by April 15th. Don’t panic — we have good news! You may be able to get free help to prepare your taxes. My Free Taxes is a safe, online …
Social Security, Benefits and Taxes
Benefits Specialists normally do not assist clients with their taxes unless they are qualified tax preparers. However, they should have a general knowledge of how Social Security benefits may affect a person’s taxes and what credits may be available to their consumers. Title XVI and Title II Benefits are Treated Differently All Title XVI (Supplemental Security Insurance or SSI) payments …
Don’t Be Afraid of Your Money! Create a Budget and Own It!
Do worries about money keep you up at night? Would you rather go to the dentist than look at your bank account? Do you struggle with not having enough money to cover your expenses at the end of the month? These ups and downs may make you feel like you are on a roller coaster! Here are some ways to …
Bag a Lunch and Save Some Bucks
One of the best ways to save money is to spend less. A simple change like bringing a bagged lunch to work a few times a week could save you some bucks – maybe some big bucks. The amount you save by bagging your lunch depends on a few things, including how often you bag your own lunch, and how …
Setting Your Employment and Financial Goals with Attitude
New. Year’s. Resolutions. These three words are the buzz and bane of our early January thoughts. With them come the questions: What do I want to change in the coming year? What are my work goals? What are my financial goals? For some people the answer could be very simple. “I want to get a job working as an (insert …