Category: Programs & Services

  • What to Ask When Seeking a Care Home

    Choosing a caregiver or nursing home for a family member is one of the most difficult decisions in life. It is a stressful, consuming task that is often made worse by the fact that a loved one has suffered a medical crisis. You may face great pressure to arrange care in a very short period of time.

    However, the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman suggests that you take the time to ask questions — and a lot of them. Below are some inquiries you should make to determine whether a caregiver’s services will meet your family’s needs and desires.

    Questions To Ask Caregivers

    • How long have you been a caregiver?
    • Prior to starting your own business, where else did you work (hospital, nursing home, case manager, etc.)?
    • Do you like your job? Why?
    • Do you have another outside job?
    • When you’re gone, who is the substitute caregiver? Can I meet that person? What’s their background?
    • Who lives in the house? Family? Other residents?
    • What’s a resident’s typical day? When do they eat? What do they sleep?
    • What kind of activities do you offer (exercise, gardening, church, outings)?
    • Can I see your past Organized Health Care Arrangement (OHCA) annual surveys? (OHCA is a clinically integrated care setting where individuals typically receive health care from more than one health care provider. Members of an OHCA may agree to abide by the terms of a joint notice of privacy practices and to share Protected Health Information (PHI) as necessary to carry out treatment, payment, or operations relating to the OHCA.)
    • What have you been cited on in the past (deficiencies)?
    • What are you most proud of?
    • Are there open visiting hours?
    • Do you encourage family support?
    • Have you ever met or worked with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman?
    • What do you think this job is all about?
    • What would past residents say about you?
    • Do you have any references I can talk to?

    Living in the community is supposed to be less a “medical’ model and more a “psycho-social model.” What does that mean and does that describe your home?

    Questions To Ask Yourself

    • How home-like does the place appear to you?
    • What do you see? What do you smell?
    • Do the residents look happy?
    • How does the staff interact with the residents?
    • Does it feel like a family?
    • Are the residents well cared for? Safe?
    • Would I want to live here?

    For more questions about care homes and other related facilities, please call the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman:

    Executive Office on Aging No. 1 Capitol District
    250 South Hotel St., Suite 406, Honolulu
    (808) 586-7268
    www.Hawaii.gov/health/eoa/LTCO.html

    Choosing a caregiver or nursing home for a family member is one of the most difficult decisions in life. It is a stressful, consuming task that is often made worse by the fact that a loved one has suffered a medical crisis. You may face great pressure to arrange care in a very short period…

  • When to Place a Loved One

    Making the decision to place a loved one into long-term care can be difficult for families. It wasn’t too long after Maria’s husband had fallen outside of their home did she realize it was time to discuss his long-term care plans with the family.

    Maria’s family found it difficult to come to agreement on the details, and the children felt guilty about placing their father into an “institution,” causing them to prolong the decision. As an alternative, the children agreed to share the responsibility of caring for him. Yet, the demands of care giving were stressful on those who balanced a full-time job and their own families. The children felt burnt out and decided they could no longer accommodate the responsibilities of care giving.

    So, when is the right time to place a loved one? Typically, a physician or facility will make a recommendation for placement if the individual has medical needs and requires 24-hour care.

    One of the newest long-term care programs started by the Department of Human Services (DHS) is the Community Care Foster Family Home Program. Homes throughout our community are licensed by the DHS to operate as Adult Foster Homes that provide residents with 24-7 medical care and supervision by certified caregivers. Each home is required to work alongside a licensed case management agency that provides residents with care coordination and face-to-face contact by a registered nurse or licensed social worker. For more information about the Adult Foster Care Program, please visit http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/ssd/home/adult-services.

     

    Nightingale Case Management, Inc. has been a part of the CCFFH Program for over 12 years. For a free assessment and consultation, please contact: (808) 484-2205, nightingalecmi@hotmail.com, or visit www.nightingalecmi.com

    Making the decision to place a loved one into long-term care can be difficult for families. It wasn’t too long after Maria’s husband had fallen outside of their home did she realize it was time to discuss his long-term care plans with the family. Maria’s family found it difficult to come to agreement on the…

  • Important Changes to Medicare July 1, 2013

    We’ve received several calls from individuals who have received letters from the Department of Health & Human Services in Baltimore Maryland titled An Important Message for People with Original Medicare. So questions were asked:

    Is this letter legitimate?

    Yes it is. Individuals with Original Medicare may receive two letters depending on the county where they live in Hawaii. City and County of Honolulu residents could receive two letters; one letter about mail order diabetic supplies and the second letter regarding a change in how you receive your medical equipment and supplies beginning on July 1, 2013.

    What is Original Medicare?

    Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the federal government. Individuals are not in a Medicare contracted health plan (also known as Part C or Medicare Advantage). Medicare is billed directly and the individual will receive a Medicare Summary Notice.

    What is this important change?

    On Oahu, Medicare is scheduled to expand the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program beginning July 1, 2013. If you live on Oahu and have Original Medicare (you may still have a retirement plan, but it will not be a Medicare Advantage Plan), and use equipment or supplies under the DMEPOS plan you will generally need to get the equipment or supplies from a Medicare-contract supplier if you want Medicare to pay for them.

    Example: On July 2, 2013 John has just returned home from his doctor’s office where he received a prescription for a standard wheelchair because he is unable to walk due to recent health issues. In the prior “plan” year, John’s neighbor Scott needed and received a wheelchair from a medical supply company nearby. John takes his prescription down to the same company, but is informed that they are NOT a Medicare contractor and if he purchases the wheelchair from this company, Medicare may not help pay for it (they should have you sign an “advanced beneficiary notice”).

    What should John do? He can go to www.medicare.gov and go to “Find suppliers of medical equipment and supplies”. He can enter his zip code and choose the category “standard wheelchairs.” The website will show the companies contracted with Medicare and then work with one of those companies to get the wheelchair that John needs.

    This program may also affect you if you are traveling in another city and need to purchase DMEPOS items.

    For the entire nation and US territories, Medicare will also implement a National Mail-Order Program for diabetic testing supplies. If you want Medicare to help pay for these supplies you will have to use the contracted suppliers. This will NOT affect you if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan or if you buy your supplies at a local pharmacy. This program also begins on July 1, 2013.

    Why is Medicare doing this?

    It helps you and Medicare save money. It ensures that you have access to quality medical equipment, supplies and services from suppliers you can trust and it helps limit fraud and abuse in the Medicare Program.

    Your homework:

    1. Find out if you currently are covered under Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans have a CMS contract number on them, usually found at the bottom of the card. It will usually look like this CMS H###-###.
    2. If you use certain supplies, find out who the Medicare contractors will be in your area.
    3. If you are not sure or need assistance you can always call the Hawaii SHIP/Sage PLUS Program at 1-888-875-9229 or email us at help@hawaiiship.org You can also find more information about the competitive bidding programs on our website www.hawaiiship.org.

    Sage PLUS - Generations Magazine - June-July 2013

    We’ve received several calls from individuals who have received letters from the Department of Health & Human Services in Baltimore Maryland titled An Important Message for People with Original Medicare. So questions were asked: Is this letter legitimate? Yes it is. Individuals with Original Medicare may receive two letters depending on the county where they…

  • Caregivers Role

    Little is known of caregivers within our community who provide care to aged and disabled individuals under the Community Care Foster Family Home Program. In fact, at times there is a certain undeserved stigma attached to the profession. So what is the role of Adult Foster caregivers? And why should we trust them with our loved ones?

    Adult Foster Homes are licensed and governed under the Department of Human Services. Each home has a primary caregiver who is at minimum a Certified Nurse Aide. According to the State’s licensing entity, each home must fulfill 140 criteria in areas such as medication and nutrition, Clients Rights, Insurance Requirements and more. In addition, the home is physically inspected and each person residing (18+) is required to submit background checks and fingerprinting.

    Caregivers provide 24-7 medical care and supervision to each resident as well as meals, assistance with activities of daily living and transportation to and from medical appointments. Adult Foster Homes must operate alongside a licensed case management agency that provides care coordination and oversight of the resident by a licensed RN or social worker. Caregivers are provided with a plan of care designed to meet the specific needs of each resident and are delegated tasks such as medication administration.

    For more information regarding licensing requirements, visit www.comties.com/hawaii.

     

    Nightingale Case Management, Inc. has been a part of the CCFFH Program for over 12 years. For a free assessment and consultation, please contact: (808) 484-2205, nightingalecmi@hotmail.com, or visit www.nightingalecmi.com

    Little is known of caregivers within our community who provide care to aged and disabled individuals under the Community Care Foster Family Home Program. In fact, at times there is a certain undeserved stigma attached to the profession. So what is the role of Adult Foster caregivers? And why should we trust them with our…

  • Strong Families Survive

    In June we celebrate National Family Month, which is a great time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds us, strong families share many valuable qualities: trust, commitment, communication, growth, affection, fun, and love.

    Strong families are more likely to grow through a crisis, allowing the difficult experience to bring them even closer together.

    In the unfortunate event of a family member’s death, we want you to know that Social Security is here to help. In addition to the emotional difficulty family members experience, there is often a financial burden as well, especially if the family’s main wage earner dies. In such cases, Social Security survivors benefits will help.

    Did you know that nearly every child in America could get Social Security survivors benefits if a working parent dies? And Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. Although many people think Social Security is just a retirement program, you should know that Social Security also provides survivors insurance benefits for workers and their families. If you’re like most people, the value of the survivors insurance you have under Social Security is probably more than the value of any individual life insurance you may own. And you don’t even need to sign up for a separate policy; by working and paying Social Security tax, you are most likely already insured without even knowing it.

    Family members who may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work record include a widow or widower, unmarried children up to age 19 and still in high school, and under certain circumstances, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, adopted children, and dependent parents.

    If you’d like to learn more about survivors benefits, and how to apply, you should read our publication, Survivors Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

    You can find additional useful information, such as our survivors planner and information about how to apply for survivors benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm.

     

    www.socialsecurity.gov
    1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)

    Social Security Administration - Generations Magazine - June-July 2013

    In June we celebrate National Family Month, which is a great time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds us, strong families share many valuable qualities: trust, commitment, communication, growth, affection, fun, and love. Strong families are more likely to grow…

  • Preference, Dignity, and Choice

    Are you or someone you know living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility? Are you interested in moving back home to the community? The Hawai‘i Going Home Plus (GHP)project can help to explore community choices and services available, create a care plan to meet your individual needs, and find the housing and services to help you.

    The GHP project helps older adults living in hospitals or nursing facilities for three months or longer. They will assist older adults in finding housing (subsidized or adult foster home) if the older adult does not have a home to return to. Assistance with cooking and bathing are also available.

    GHP is a federally grant funded program from the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services that began in 2007, operated by the Hawai‘i Department of Human Services, Med-Quest Division.

    Who is eligible for help?

    • Older adults and younger disabled persons living in hospital or nursing facilities for 3+ months
    • Medicaid eligible
    • Meets nursing home level of care requirements (your doctor can help to determine this)
    • Residents from all islands can participate

    Older adults are eligible at no cost to participate in the program. If you would like to participate, or know someone living in a nursing facility, hospital or ICF-MRc, who does, please contact GHP:

    Oahu:
    (808) 524-3370 or 692-8166
    (808) 692-7182 (V/TT)

    Neighbor Islands:
    1-800-316-8005
    1-800-603-1201 (V/TT)

    Also, please visit online for more information at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/goinghome.

    Are you or someone you know living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility? Are you interested in moving back home to the community? The Hawai‘i Going Home Plus (GHP)project can help to explore community choices and services available, create a care plan to meet your individual needs, and find the housing and…

  • Adult Foster Care: A Caring Alternative

    Yes. Adult Foster Care, also known as the Community Care Foster Family Home (CCFFH), is a program that offers an alternative long-term care option to individuals who are unable to live independently and in need of medical care. This program was created to prevent the institutionalization of older adults and promote quality of life. It’s not only less expensive, but allows aged and disabled persons to reside in homes throughout our community instead of institutional facilities such as nursing homes. The foster home setting provides a home-like environment, where residents receive personalized care and closer relationships with their caregivers.

    Each home and its caregivers are licensed under the State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Human Services. Whereby, each home is required to work with a licensed case management agency that provides care coordination, support and ongoing monitoring of the resident and home. A case manager (licensed RN or social worker) provides face-to-face visits with each resident once a month. Interaction between the resident, caregivers and case manager ensures the overall health and well-being of the resident being cared. The CCFFH Program accepts individuals who meet the medical criteria and those covered under Medicaid or that’s privately paying. To find out if you or your loved one is eligible, please see
    www.humanservices.hawaii.gov/ssd/home/adult-services for more information on the CCFFH Program and for a list of licensed case management agencies.

     

    Nightingale Case Management, Inc. has been a part of the CCFFH Program for over 12 years. For a free assessment and consultation, please contact: (808) 484-2205, nightingalecmi@hotmail.com, or visit www.nightingalecmi.com

    Yes. Adult Foster Care, also known as the Community Care Foster Family Home (CCFFH), is a program that offers an alternative long-term care option to individuals who are unable to live independently and in need of medical care. This program was created to prevent the institutionalization of older adults and promote quality of life. It’s…

  • Social Security: Best Ways to Do Business with SSA

    Many people save time by going online to take care of everyday tasks. For example, they shop online to avoid going to crowded malls or stores. They pay bills and check their account balances online to save a trip to the bank.

    It’s true of Social Security business, too. You can save a lot of time by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov. Here, you can handle much of your Social Security business quickly and securely from your home or office computer. At the Social Security website you can:

    • create a my Social Security account for quick access to your information
    • get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits
    • apply for various things such as retirement, disability, spouses, and Medicare benefits
    • check the status of your benefit application
    • change your address and phone number, if you receive monthly Social Security benefits
    • sign-up for direct deposit of SSA benefits
    • use our benefit planners to help you better understand your Social Security options as you plan for your financial future
    • request a replacement Medicare card
    • apply for Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs

    Looking for more Social Security information? Go online to find out almost anything you need to know about the Social Security program. Information is available on subjects ranging from how to get a Social Security number for a newborn to returning to work while receiving disability benefits.

    And since April 22 is Earth Day, here’s another tip: going online is good for the planet. It saves more than just your time — it also saves paper, emissions and energy.

    If you need to reach us by phone, call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m.– 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

    No matter how you choose to contact us, Social Security is here to assist you. We encourage you to give our website a try. You’ll get fast, convenient service.

     

    www.socialsecurity.gov
    1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | 1-800-325-0778 (TTY)

    Social Security Administration - Generations Magazine - June-July 2013

    Many people save time by going online to take care of everyday tasks. For example, they shop online to avoid going to crowded malls or stores. They pay bills and check their account balances online to save a trip to the bank. It’s true of Social Security business, too. You can save a lot of…

  • Payments, Lost Pensions and Free Legal Help

    Like many retirees and widows, Margaret has been relying on a fixed income. Suddenly, she receives a letter from the pension company stating that her monthly pension of $800 was an error and will be reduced to pay back a $4,000 overpayment.

    The pension is Margaret’s only income and already doesn’t cover basic living expenses. She recently moved in with her elderly father, has no medical insurance, is a month behind on her car payment, and visits food closets for groceries.

    Unable to afford an attorney, Margaret turns to the Western States Pension Assistance Project (WSPAP), a federally funded program that provides free pension assistance by phone to people who live or have worked in Hawaii, California, Arizona or Nevada. The counseling project, one of seven nationwide funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, serves all ages and income levels.

    “Pension law is complicated, and many retirees, surviving spouses and their family members are not able to afford to hire an attorney when a problem occurs,” said attorney Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi, who directs the project. “We provide vital legal assistance to hundreds of workers and their families, many of whom would otherwise have little or no access to expert advice regarding their retirement benefits. Since the project started in 2007, we have helped retirees and surviving spouses access more than $10 million in retirement benefits that they earned.”

    In Margaret’s case, WSPAP successfully represented the senior before the pension plan, defending against the recovery of the overpayment. The company agreed to waive the overpayment and restore Margaret’s monthly benefit.

    Many people contact WSPAP after trying unsuccessfully to track down pension benefits from a company that no longer exists, whether due to a bankruptcy, a merger or a sale.

    “We do a lot of detective work,” Ijadi-Maghsoodi said. “In order to find lost pensions, we conduct extensive research, review pension plan documents, file FOIA requests, write letters and make many phone calls.”

    Language access can make it difficult for clients with limited English proficiency to receive the pension that they or a spouse earned. A 76-year-old widow called WSPAP after trying unsuccessfully for three months to get her small survivor benefit started. The woman, who was living on a small Social Security check, spoke very limited English. Before passing away, the widow’s husband had hand-written a letter for her to sign and submit to the plan in the event of his death to ensure that she would receive her survivor annuity. Her husband died in September but by late January, the plan had still not started her benefit — or even told her when it might start.

    Attorney Ijadi-Maghsoodi intervened, asserting the client’s right to the survivor annuity and informing the plan that ignoring the widow’s claim for survivor benefits violated federal law. Within two weeks, the plan distributed a retroactive payment for the payments she should have received. In addition, she will receive a survivor annuity for the rest of her life.

    After assisting hundreds of people with pension problems, the Western States Pension Assistance Project attorneys have a few tips:

    • Keep all documents related to your pension or retirement savings account.
    • Never destroy old tax records.
    • Think carefully before taking a lump sum instead of a monthly pension.
    • Do not give up your right to a survivor benefit through your spouse’s pension plan unless you have enough retirement income of your own to live comfortably after your spouse’s death.

    For more tips and fact sheets, visit the Pension Rights Center online at www.pensionrights.org. For help with your pension, please contact the Western States Pension Assistance Project toll free at 866-413-4911.

    Like many retirees and widows, Margaret has been relying on a fixed income. Suddenly, she receives a letter from the pension company stating that her monthly pension of $800 was an error and will be reduced to pay back a $4,000 overpayment. The pension is Margaret’s only income and already doesn’t cover basic living expenses.…

  • How to Re-Enroll in Medicare

    As it may happen to some seniors, retirees or other individuals with Medicare, the decision to get off of any health insurance plan is a personal risk. And then deciding to get back on becomes another decision/challenge. Here, a personal friend contacted me asking what it would take to do such a thing. How to re-enroll in Medicare Part B after dropping it because he was living outside the U.S. and the territories and has now returned back to Hawai‘i to live.

    Answer:

    Medicare (federal health insurance): Part B covers doctors visits, labs & x-rays etc. (the things people use the most). If individuals dropped their Medicare Part B (currently in 2013 the monthly premium is $104.90 and it comes directly out of the Social Security check) and they wanted to re-enroll, they would have to enroll during the General Enrollment Period from January 1– March 31 and coverage begins July 1st. They could face a penalty for the time that they were eligible and not covered. It is a 10% penalty for every 12 months that they were not covered and did not have an active Employer Group Health Plan.

    Medicaid (state assistance): Assists those with limited income and assets. Individuals can apply for Medicaid at any time. For full state assistance/Medicaid, income has to be under 100% of the federal poverty level (a couple that is $17,850 per year combined income) and combined assets can not be more than $3,000. Theres a program that pays just for the Part B premiums —  that is $24,097 combined annual income (about $2,008 per month) with combined assets no more than $10,620.

    Both programs will give help in paying for prescription drug coverage. BUT the important thing is if they qualify for either of the programs, then they can get Medicare Part B coverage through a special enrollment and the penalty may be waived.

    The State has 45 days (by federal law) to review the application. The best way we at Sage PLUS have found is to fax the application to the MedQUEST office, as you have a receipt that they received it (proof for an appeal if the application is lost). Or, you can take it directly to the MedQUEST office with a copy and have the person who takes the application sign, date and time stamp your copy.

    There is no on-line application, but the form is on the DHS website and can be filled out and printed . Otherwise, you can contact us and we can mail an application or assist individuals in completing the form and fax it to MedQUEST.

    Do you have a Medicare question that you would like answered in this column?

    Please send questions to help@hawaii-ship.org or call and leave your name and phone number on the SHIP/Sage PLUS Program hotline, leave the message “question for Generations Magazine column” and we will call you for more information.

    Would you like to learn more about Medicare?

    Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month and May is National Older Americans month? Become a volunteer for the Hawai‘i SHIP and become a Super Hero in your community by helping seniors and disabled individuals navigate Medicare. For volunteer information, please visit email at help@hawaiiship.org, www.hawaiiship.org or call 1-88-875-9229.

    Sage PLUS - Generations Magazine - June-July 2013

    As it may happen to some seniors, retirees or other individuals with Medicare, the decision to get off of any health insurance plan is a personal risk. And then deciding to get back on becomes another decision/challenge. Here, a personal friend contacted me asking what it would take to do such a thing. How to…

  • Medicare: Staying Healthy

    February is “Heart Healthy Month” (and for all of you sweethearts out there, don’t forget Valentine’s Day on February 14th). Taking care of your heart is very important and there are some easy things that each of us can do.

    Ask your physician what your “healthy weight” is and make an effort to eat lots of color: purple (eggplants), red (radishes), blue (blueberries), green (broccoli), white (cauliflower) and orange (tangerines). Try some grains like quinoa, instead of white rice.

    Quit smoking and stay away from second-hand smoke.

    Exercise — don’t let this scare you. One of the best things is walking. You don’t need equipment; and if you have a dog, you both benefit. A 30 minute walk each day will have you signing up for the Honolulu Marathon in no time.

    March is “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” and the same three things are suggested to lower your risks — healthy eating, exercising, and quitting smoking.

    Medicare’s benefits include a yearly “Wellness” visit where you will fill out a Health Risk Assessment form and then you and your physician will develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy.

    Other preventive services include: bone mass measurement, mammograms, cardiovascular screenings, diabetes screenings, flu shots and glaucoma tests, just to name a few. Some of the new preventive benefits in 2013 are:

    Cardiovascular Disease — Behavioral Therapy. Medicare will pay for one visit per year with your primary care doctor to help you lower your risks for cardiovascular disease.

    Alcohol Misuse Counseling. One screening per year for adults with Medicare who use alcohol and don’t meet the medical criteria for alcohol dependency. Your primary care doctor can recommend up to four brief face to face counseling sessions per year and Medicare will pay for those.

    Depression Screening. One screening per year. The screening must be done in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office) that can provide follow-up treatment and referrals.

    Obesity Screening and Counseling. If you have a BMI (body mass index) of more than 30 you may be eligible for intensive counseling to help you lose weight.

    Sexually Transmitted Infections Screening and Counseling. These screenings are covered by Medicare for those that are pregnant and/or for certain people who are at an increased risk for STIs. Medicare will also pay for up to two individual 20-30 minute face to face counseling sessions each year for those at risk.

    For more information about these preventive benefits and other Medicare benefits, the Hawai‘i SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) is available by calling 1-888-875-9229.

    Sage PLUS - Generations Magazine - June-July 2013

    February is “Heart Healthy Month” (and for all of you sweethearts out there, don’t forget Valentine’s Day on February 14th). Taking care of your heart is very important and there are some easy things that each of us can do. Ask your physician what your “healthy weight” is and make an effort to eat lots…

  • Social Security: W-2s, 1099s and Benefits

    April’s showers bring more than just May’s flowers — they also bring the deadline day for filing taxes. Don’t wait until the showers arrive to prepare for tax season. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree, or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you.

    Are Social Security benefits taxable?

    They are for some people. About one third of those receiving benefits must pay taxes on some of their Social Security. If your total income, including Social Security and all of your other taxable income, is $25,000 or more and you file federal taxes as an individual, you’ll need to pay federal taxes on some of your benefits. (That amount is $32,000 for married couples filing a joint return.)

    Will I get a tax form for my Social Security benefits?

    Yes. In fact, you should have already received it. Social Security Benefit Statements (Form SSA-1099) for tax year 2012 were mailed to beneficiaries and should’ve been received by January 31, 2013. If you receive Social Security and haven’t received your 1099, you can request one online at www.socialsecurity.gov/1099.

    We had our first child in 2012. Does our baby need a Social Security Number?

    Yes. Most people apply for their baby’s Social Security number while they’re still in the hospital at the same time they apply for the birth certificate. But if you didn’t, you’ll need to apply for your child’s Social Security number in order to claim the child as a dependent on your tax return. You’ll also need it if you ever apply for government benefits on behalf of the child or your family. Learn more about Social Security cards and numbers at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

    I changed my name when I got married last year. Do I need to report it to Social Security?

    Yes. If you’ve legally changed your name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or for any other reason, make sure you change your name with Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one source but not the other, it could cause your earnings to be improperly recorded. That could result in you not getting all the benefits you earned when you become eligible for Social Security in the future. You can learn more about your Social Security number and how to change your name at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

    I own a small business. Can I report the W-2s of my employees online to Social Security?

    Yes, and we encourage you to do so at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. Filing your W-2s electronically is free, fast, and secure! Plus there’s an added bonus: when you file electronically, you receive an extra month to file because electronically filed W-2s aren’t due until March 31st. You’ll also receive an electronic acknowledgement receipt. And when you file electronically, you can print out your W-2s for your employees.

    Does Social Security have any advice to make tax filing and future benefit applications go smoothly?

    We encourage you to carefully check your name, Social Security number and all of the data on your W-2s, your online Social Security Statement, and Social Security card to make sure they all match. If you don’t have access to your card or statement but know your Social Security number, make sure the number and information is correct on your W-2s. A mismatch could delay your tax refund and cause problems with your Social Security benefits in the future. Such errors are much easier to fix now. If you do notice an error, you should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer.

    For more information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

    Social Security Administration - Generations Magazine - June-July 2013

    April’s showers bring more than just May’s flowers — they also bring the deadline day for filing taxes. Don’t wait until the showers arrive to prepare for tax season. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree, or a new parent, here are some Social Security tax tips that may help you. Are Social Security benefits…