Category: Senior News

Social Security Changes Access to In-Person Services

Appointment-based services at local Social Security offices are expanding, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Nov. 14, 2024. In the SSA’s ongoing commitment to serve the public more efficiently, it aims to reduce wait times, streamline service delivery, and improve the overall customer experience by scheduling appointments.

Nearly 400 field offices have already moved to appointment-based service this year. These offices have seen significant improvements in wait times due to more efficient and helpful visitor experiences and increases in the number of customers able to complete their business online.

Implementation of appointment-based services will be developed nationwide in two phases. The first phase is a transition period now through Jan. 5, 2025. The purpose of this transition period is to educate SSA’s customers about needing to schedule an appointment for SSA services. As a reminder, many of SSA’s services can be provided via phone with an appointment and do not require a customer to walk into an office for service.

Effective Jan. 6, 2025, SSA will require customers to schedule an appointment for service in its field offices, including requests for Social Security cards. SSA encourages customers to become accustomed to its online services (ssa.gov/onlineservices), where many transactions can be completed conveniently and securely, and automated services (ssa.gov/agency/contact/phone.html) available by calling 1-800-772-1213 (SSA’s national 800 number).

Customers who are not able to conduct their business online or with the automated options may call their local Social Security office or its national 800 number to schedule an appointment. Find your local Social Security office at secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. The Honolulu office is located in the Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana Boulevard.

Those who are unable to make an appointment or do not want to make an appointment will not be turned away for service. For example, members of vulnerable populations, military personnel, people with terminal illnesses and individuals with other situations requiring immediate or specialized attention may still walk in for service at their local field office. Some SSA offices also have minimal to no wait times, and they will still serve customers who walk in.

Appointment-based services at local Social Security offices are expanding, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Nov. 14, 2024. In the SSA’s ongoing commitment to serve the public more efficiently, it aims to reduce wait times, streamline service delivery, and improve the overall customer experience by scheduling appointments. Nearly 400 field offices have already moved…
It’s Time to Review Your Medicare Plan
During the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can:

Enroll in Medicare health benefits such as a Medicare Advantage plan, with or without prescription drug coverage

Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

Enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)

Benefit packages change every year so review the Annual Notice of Change from your Medicare health plan to see if the benefits still suit your needs. All Medicare Advantage plans are focused on simplifying the healthcare experience. They offer a wide variety of products to meet the members where they are and empower them to take charge of their health. All Medicare Advantage plans offer a variety of benefit packages to ensure there a good fit for each beneficiary.

If you have questions, need help understanding your benefits or want to switch health plans, call your licensed broker.

WELLCARE BY ‘OHANA HEALTH PLAN
Wellcare By ‘Ohana Medicare Plans:
1-844-917-0175 (TTY 711)
Wellcare By ‘Ohana Prescription Drug Plans:
1-866-859-9084 (TTY 711)
Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm
wellcare.com/hawaii
During the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can: Benefit packages change every year so review the Annual Notice of Change from your Medicare health plan to see if the benefits still suit your needs. All Medicare Advantage plans are focused on simplifying the healthcare experience. They offer…
SSA Removes SSI Payment Barriers

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced two of several updates to its Supplemental Security Income (SSI) regulations that will help people receiving and applying for benefits offered through this federal program.

SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, and to adults aged 65 and older who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing and medicine.

To receive SSI benefits, applicants must meet eligibility requirements, including income and resource limits.

Under SSA’s old rules, food and shelter were counted as unearned income, which may affect a
person’s eligibility or reduce their payment.

Under one of the new rulings, “Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM)
Calculations,” the agency will no longer include food in ISM calculations beginning on Sept. 30.

The new policy removes a critical barrier for SSI eligibility due to an applicant’s or recipient’s
receipt of informal food assistance from friends, family and community support networks.

The new policy is also easier to understand and use, reduces month-to-month variability in payment amounts and will improve payment accuracy. SSA will see savings because less time
will be spent administering food ISM.

The SSA also announced “Expansion of the Rental Subsidy Policy for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applicants and Recipients.” Beginning Sept. 30, the agency will expand its SSI rental subsidy policy, which was only in place for SSI applicants and recipients residing in seven states (Conn., Ill., Ind., NY, Texas, Vt. and Wis.). In those states, rental assistance (renting at a discounted rate) is less likely to affect a person’s SSI eligibility or payment amount.

This new rule will extend this policy to all SSI applicants and recipients nationwide. This may increase the benefit amount some people are eligible to receive and will allow more people to qualify for critical SSI payments.

For more information on the SSI program, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit ssa.gov/ssi. To make an appointment, call between 7am and 5pm, Mon–Fri: 800-772-1213 (toll free) | socialsecurity.gov

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced two of several updates to its Supplemental Security Income (SSI) regulations that will help people receiving and applying for benefits offered through this federal program. SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, and to adults aged 65 and older who have limited income…
Kūpuna Prevail in 2024 State Legislature

It was another great year for kūpuna. Gov. Josh Green signed into law bills that both enhance healthy aging and improve care for the frail. With support from the Council of State Governments Interagency Task Force on Sustainable Long-Term Care, the Kupuna Caucus convened a long-term
care summit of 64 organizations in February 2024, with a focus on a person-centered long-term care continuum of services. Forty-three organizations committed to champion long-term care; addressing workforce shortage; cost and sustainable financing of long-term care and models of a continuum of quality long-term care services. The bills signed by the governor that support programs and services for kūpuna are:
■ Long-term Care Master Plan: HB2224/Act 159 directs the Executive Office on Aging (EOA) to
develop a comprehensive long-term care master plan and provides funding for a full-time long-term care planner.
■ Adult Residential Care Homes: HB2216/Act 20 increases adult residential care home payments.
■ Personal Needs Allowance: HB1974/Act 18 increases care home residents’ monthly personal
needs allowance from $50 to $75. It had not been raised since 2007.
■ Silver Alert Program: SB2305/Act 158 directs the Department of Law Enforcement to establish
a silver alert program to help locate missing persons 65 or older, cognitively impaired or developmentally disabled.
■ General Excise Tax Exemption: SB1035/Act 47 exempts medical and dental care providers treating patients on Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare from the GET, making providers more available to serve the vulnerable.
■ In the State Budget: HB1800 funds two programs to support community kūpuna: 1) increases fee reimbursement rates for Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health community-based programs and 2) funds $400,000 for Healthy Aging Partnership’s “Better Choices, Better Health” and “Enhance Fitness” programs on Kaua‘i, Maui, Hawai‘i and Honolulu counties.

WHAT’S NEXT:

During the interim (between now and next session), we can review the bills left on the table or others from previous sessions. What were the concerns raised? Can we amend the bill to address those concerns or return with more data and experience to show why the bill is needed?
Work during the interim will also focus on long-term care. The last long-term care plan was adopted in 1988. It’s time to plan forward, and with the 43 champions and others, to come up with
a plan and priorities to ensure our kūpuna live quality lives in the community or in institutions.

If you want to work on these or other kūpuna issues, contact Kupuna Caucus Co-chairs: Sen.
Sharon Moriwaki (senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii .gov) or Rep. Cory Chun (repchun@capitol.hawaii
.gov); or State EOA Director Caroline Cadirao (caroline.cadirao@doh.hawaii.gov).

It was another great year for kūpuna. Gov. Josh Green signed into law bills that both enhance healthy aging and improve care for the frail. With support from the Council of State Governments Interagency Task Force on Sustainable Long-Term Care, the Kupuna Caucus convened a long-termcare summit of 64 organizations in February 2024, with a…
Honoring a Dementia Champion

The 2024 Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS) honoree is Dorothy Colby. Dorothy is a highly regarded dementia care specialist with more than 25 years of professional and personal experience
in caring for people living with dementia. She is a Certified Positive Approach to Care trainer and mentor, as well as a Hawai‘i Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Memory Care Navigator, Dementia Friends Master Trainer and Champion, and Roslyn Carter Institute Dealing with Dementia Trainer.

Dorothy was born in Kailua and raised in Hau‘ula on O‘ahu. After graduating from St. Andrew’s Priory School in 1981, she attended Bryn Mawr College, where she earned her master’s degree in 2023. She went back to school and graduated from the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapi‘olani Community College. She joined Hale Ku‘ike in 2005 and is now its community relations director.

An advocate for so many individuals, families and organizations, Dorothy says, “My mission is to bring care partners together to learn how to better support those living with dementia.”

This year’s HPGS student scholarship fundraiser will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, at 5:30 pm at the Arcadia. The registration form can be found at http://hpgs.org/scholarships.html. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 30.

HAWAII PACIFIC GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY (nonprofit)
P.O. Box 3714, Honolulu, HI 96812
Sherry Goya, HPGS Executive Director
808-722-8487 | sgoyallc@aol.com | hpgs.org

The 2024 Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS) honoree is Dorothy Colby. Dorothy is a highly regarded dementia care specialist with more than 25 years of professional and personal experiencein caring for people living with dementia. She is a Certified Positive Approach to Care trainer and mentor, as well as a Hawai‘i Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Memory…
Real Property Tax Relief for Honolulu

The City and County of Honolulu announces its 2025–26 Real Property Tax Credit program will open for applications starting July 1.

From July 1 until Sept. 30, 2024, eligible homeowners can apply for a tax credit to help alleviate their real property tax. To qualify for this tax credit for the 2025–26 tax year, applicants must:

 Have a home exemption on their property.
 Ensure that none of the titleholders own other property anywhere.
 Confirm that the combined gross income of all titleholders does not exceed $80,000.

The amount of credit homeowners will receive, if qualified, is based on their income and current property tax amount. The program intends to provide relief to homeowners affected by rising property taxes or on a fixed income.

Qualified 2024–25 tax credit

Homeowners who qualified for this credit during the 2024–25 tax year may receive an application in the mail in early July.

Contact the Tax Relief Office for an application or download one at honolulu.gov/treasury starting July 1.

TAX RELIEF OFFICE
For more information, call 808-768-3205
or visit honolulu.gov/treasury
(Information furnished is subject to change without notice.)

The City and County of Honolulu announces its 2025–26 Real Property Tax Credit program will open for applications starting July 1. From July 1 until Sept. 30, 2024, eligible homeowners can apply for a tax credit to help alleviate their real property tax. To qualify for this tax credit for the 2025–26 tax year, applicants…
5 Primary Election Reminders
Ahead of the 2024 Primary Election on Aug. 10, the Office of Elections offers a few key reminders for Hawai‘i voters.

➊ Hawai‘i is a vote-by-mail state. Your Primary Election ballot will arrive by mail. Registered Hawai‘i voters automatically receive a mail ballot for every election.
➋ Check that your voter registration is current. Visit elections.hawaii.gov or call 808-453-VOTE(8683) to verify that your voter registration is accurate. If you have moved or changed your mailing address, you must update your voter registration. Update online or by submitting a Voter Registration Application (link at end of article).
➌ You must sign your ballot return envelope for your ballot to be counted. You can expect to receive your ballot packet by July 23 for the Primary Election. Before your ballot arrives, review candidate statements at elections.hawaii.gov.
➍ Ballot must be received by 7pm on Aug. 10. Ballots can be returned by mail or put in a ballot drop box. Visit elections.hawaii.gov for location details. Ballots received late cannot be counted.
➎ Assistance is available. In need of assistance? Consider the following accessible options:

Visit a voter service center to vote using accessible voting equipment.

Request an electronic ballot and mark your ballot using your personal compatible device.

STATE OF HAWAI‘I, OFFICE OF ELECTIONS
802 Lehua Ave., Pearl City, HI 96782
808-453-VOTE (8683) | elections@hawaii.gov
elections.hawaii.gov
Voter Registration Application:
elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/
1436986-01-Hawaii-Votes_application_final.pdf
Ahead of the 2024 Primary Election on Aug. 10, the Office of Elections offers a few key reminders for Hawai‘i voters. ➊ Hawai‘i is a vote-by-mail state. Your Primary Election ballot will arrive by mail. Registered Hawai‘i voters automatically receive a mail ballot for every election.➋ Check that your voter registration is current. Visit elections.hawaii.gov…
Spreading Alzheimer’s Awareness & Aloha

Born and raised in Honolulu, Steven Tam spent many years recruiting and then training recruits at Prudential Locations Real Estate. Steven’s ability to connect with others not only made him an effective leader, but an impactful volunteer, as well.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Begins

When Steven’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2009, he left his full-time real estate career to assist his mother with caregiving. Steven knew nothing about Alzheimer’s, so he decided to attend a presentation by the Alzheimer’s Association — a crash course about the disease. There began a beautiful relationship. The Alzheimer’s Association provided him with resources and a network of others in same situation. Empathetic staff and volunteers taught him what to expect as the disease progressed.

The interaction with the Alzheimer’s Association prompted Steven to look for professional opportunities to help the community. What he found there was a need to support caregivers. That led him to AARP, where he headed long-term care, caregiving and financial security campaigns. He also managed BrightStar Care of Honolulu, which provides in-home services to those with dementia and other disabilities.

Following his father’s passing in 2013, his desire to make a difference in the lives those affected by Alzheimer’s increased. He became a volunteer at the Hawai‘i chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, helping with programs and events. He became more involved and was eventually became the director of development. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the fundraising programs. After three years, he retired in 2020.

Volunteering With Aloha

Steven has volunteered as a community educator for about 10 years. He encourages others to volunteer and urges caregivers to seek support.

“Remember, you are not alone and be willing to ask for help — because people are willing to help more than you know,” says Steven.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION (nonprofit)
677 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 301, Honolulu, HI 96813
To volunteer: alz.org/volunteer, alohainfo@alz.org
808-591-2771 | alz.org

Born and raised in Honolulu, Steven Tam spent many years recruiting and then training recruits at Prudential Locations Real Estate. Steven’s ability to connect with others not only made him an effective leader, but an impactful volunteer, as well. Alzheimer’s Awareness Begins When Steven’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2009, he left his…
Social Security Benefits Increase in 2024

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans increased 3.2% this year. On average, Social Security retirement benefits increased by more than $50 per month starting in January 2024.

More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January. Increased payments to approximately 7.5 million people receiving SSI began on Dec. 29, 2023. (Some people receive both SS and SSI benefits.)

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase from $160,200 to $168,600.

SS began notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December 2023. Individuals who have a personal my Social Security (ssa.gov/myaccount) account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. You can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message — such as their COLA notice — waiting for them in my Social Security. (You must have set up an account by Nov. 14, 2023, to see your COLA notice online.)

Information about Medicare changes for 2024 is available at medicare.gov. For SS beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, new 2024 benefit amounts became available to them in December 2023 through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

The increase is aimed at helping to cover the rising cost of food, housing, healthcare and other essentials, otherwise known as inflation. The purpose of COLA is to ensure that the purchasing power of SS and SSI benefits is not eroded by inflation. The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last year’s COLA increase was 8.7%, when inflation reached a 40-year high.

The benefits increase “will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, acting commissioner of Social Security.

For questions, online applications or to make an appointment, call between 7am–5pm, Mon–Fri:1-800-772-1213 (toll free) | socialsecurity.gov
SSA COLA: ssa.gov/cola
ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2023.pdf
SSA Full Retirement Age Chart:
ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html
2023 Medicare Changes: medicare.gov

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans increased 3.2% this year. On average, Social Security retirement benefits increased by more than $50 per month starting in January 2024. More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January. Increased payments to…
Generations Senior Fair at Windward Mall

You could feel the excitement and electricity in the center of Windward Mall in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, on Friday, May 19, when Generations Magazine held our first “Generations Senior Fair at Windward Mall” since January 2020. There were six rows of Generations partners, offering their services, knowledge and experience. Everyone brought their wealth of information and welcomed attendees, who were able to speak one-to-one with professionals in the many fields serving kūpuna and their families. Kudos to Windward Mall for providing a great venue for the Windward side.

Attendees told us afterward it was a very good event with lots of interesting people. Everyone could meet our partners in person and many learned so much from a wide variety of companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. It was also an opportunity for Generations readers to thank some of our partners for their service to the senior community.

A big MAHALO goes out to the following Generations partners for taking the time to offer their services to kūpuna and their families at this event and the bold partners who provided door prizes. AARP Hawaii ✦ Ameriprise Financial Services ✦ Better Business Bureau ✦ City & County of Honolulu, Dept. of Parks & Recs ✦ Captain Cook Coin Company of Honolulu ✦ Catholic Charities ✦ Copeland Insurance Group ✦ Department of Health, Executive Office on Aging ✦ SMP Hawaii ✦ Dooplikit LLC ✦ Financial Benefits Insurance ✦ Gimme a Break ✦ GYMGUYZ Urban Honolulu ✦ Hale Hau‘oli Hawai‘i ✦ Hawaii Dental Service ✦ Hawai‘i Department of Taxation ✦ Hawai‘i Long-Term Care Ombudsman ✦ Hawaii SHIP ✦ Humana ✦ Kaiser Permanente ✦ Kuakini Health Systems ✦ Law Office of Stephen B. Yim ✦ Legacy of Life Hawai‘i ✦ Lets Move ✦ Manoa Cottage ✦ Nursing Home Partners ✦ Open Mortgage ✦ Project Dana ✦ Silver & Stronger Coaching Program ✦ Soderholm Bus & Mobility ✦ State of Hawai‘i, Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs ✦ The Ihara Team, Keller Williams Honolulu ✦ The Mediation Center of the Pacific ✦ Vacations Hawaii ✦ Valley of the Temples ✦ Veterans Administration: Caregiver ✦ Support Program ✦ Wellcare by ‘Ohana Health Plan ✦ YMCA of Honolulu

You could feel the excitement and electricity in the center of Windward Mall in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu, on Friday, May 19, when Generations Magazine held our first “Generations Senior Fair at Windward Mall” since January 2020. There were six rows of Generations partners, offering their services, knowledge and experience. Everyone brought their wealth of information and…
Real Property Tax Relief for Honolulu

If you’re a Honolulu homeowner concerned about property taxes, relief is on the horizon as the City and County of Honolulu announces its Real Property Tax Credit program, open for applications starting July 1.

From July 1, eligible homeowners can apply for a tax credit to help alleviate their real property tax expenses. To qualify for this tax credit for the 2024–2025 tax year, applicants must:

 Have a home exemption on their property
 Ensure that none of the titleholders own other property anywhere
 Confirm that the combined gross income of all titleholders meet income requirements.

The amount of the credit homeowners will receive, if qualified, is based on their income and current property tax amount. This tax credit program is aimed at providing much needed relief to homeowners who are affected by rising property taxes.

Homeowners who applied for this credit during the 2023–2024 Tax Year can expect to receive an application in the mail in early July.

Contact the Tax Relief Office for an application or download it from the website starting July 1.

TAX RELIEF OFFICE
For more information or questions, call 808-768-3205
or visit honolulupropertytax.com
(Information furnished is subject to change without notice.)

If you’re a Honolulu homeowner concerned about property taxes, relief is on the horizon as the City and County of Honolulu announces its Real Property Tax Credit program, open for applications starting July 1.
Sustainable Transitions in Gerontology

The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS), is thrilled to announce its 2023 biennial conference from September 7–8 following the success of its virtual conference in 2021.

Designed for a diverse audience that includes kūpuna practitioners in the health and human service fields, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations serving kūpuna, HPGS extends a warm invitation to its two-day event at the Ala Moana Hotel. Applied researchers, students in gerontology, advocates for kūpuna, and kūpuna themselves who are keen on continuing their education as they age are also encouraged to join in this exciting event.

The conference’s theme, “Sustainable Transitions in Gerontology,” spotlights the crucial adjustments made by businesses, organizations, individuals and kūpuna over the past few years in response to the ever-changing needs of our elderly population.

An impressive lineup of keynote speakers is set to inspire attendees, featuring Dr. Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, Interim Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and Keith Hayashi, Department of Education Superintendent. HPGS is working to create a dynamic and informative event with additional speakers from Hawaii, the Mainland and Japan.

Seven “Na Lima Kokua Awards” will be presented to individuals or companies/organizations from categories of business, communications, community service, government, and research/ education, along with two Tony Lenzer Scholarships to be awarded on Thursday, Sept. 7.

To register for this exceptional gathering, visit hpgs.org and click on “Conference.” The registration fee is nominal for HPGS members, non-members, students and seniors.

As a special offer, Generations Magazine readers will receive the “Regular Registration” rate through Aug. 31, 2023.

Established in 1979, HPGS is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for Hawaii’s Kupuna community. Since 1981, the dedicated board and biennial conference committees have organized 20 in-person two-day conferences and, as previously mentioned, a two-day virtual conference held during the Covid-
19 pandemic in 2021.

HAWAII PACIFIC GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(501(c) 3 nonprofit)
PO Box 3714, Honolulu, HI 96812
Sherry Goya, HPGS Executive Director
808-722-8487 | Sgoyallc@Aol.com
hpgs.org

The Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society (HPGS), is thrilled to announce its 2023 biennial conference from September 7–8 following the success of its virtual conference in 2021.Designed for a diverse audience that includes kūpuna practitioners in the health and human service fields, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations serving kūpuna, HPGS extends a warm invitation…