February 25, 2013
Many people serve as financial caregivers for disabled or elderly spouses, parents, children or other loved ones. They may help with paying bills, filing insurance claims, managing medical expenses, preparing taxes and everyday money management. If you or someone you know manages money for someone else, these tips can offer some guidance to help you fulfill that role successfully.
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Make sure the family knows where to find personal and financial documents in an emergency. These include bank and credit card statements, original wills, insurance policies, Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid records.
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Get solid financial and legal advice from professionals you know and trust. Contact bankers, lawyers, accountants, insurance agents or financial planners your family has dealt with in the past. Ask how they'd recommend you deal with money matters and how they can assist.
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Consider a "durable power of attorney." This is a legal document giving one or more people the authority to handle finances or other personal matters if the individual becomes mentally or physically incapacitated.
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Suggest a "living will" or other instructions about future medical care. Most people should have a living will specifying the type of medical care they want or don't want if they become terminally ill and are unable to communicate their wishes. Experts also recommend a "health care power of attorney" or "health care proxy" designating a family member or other trusted person to make medical decisions.
Living wills and health care proxies are meant to ensure that someone's wishes regarding medical care are honored, but they also can prevent unnecessary and costly procedures.
February 11, 2013
These days many are concerned about the rising costs of health care. Medical expenses are often a top stress for many individuals who are living with a disability. Whether you are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, it is important to understand how you can minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Here are some ways to manage your health care spending.
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Know Your Numbers - If you can, reduce the number of doctor visits – and the co-pays that come with them – by keeping tabs on your vital stats. An investment in a heart rate or blood pressure monitor, or keeping tabs on your blood sugar or other factors you can test at home, can pay off in the long run.
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Make a Deal with Your Doctor - If you haven’t met your deductible yet or you have pricey co-insurance, see if your doctor will cut his rate if you pay in cash.
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Buy Cheaper Medications - Many insurance plans have tiered systems, with different rates for generic, “preferred” brands and non-preferred drugs. Check if there is a less expensive option for your medications.
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January 7, 2013
Djuna Mitchell is a guest blogger featured on a recent Ticket to Work webinar. She is a former beneficiary, Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) and Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Project Director. Currently, she works for Social Security as a Social Insurance Specialist.
What is credit and a credit score? Why are they important?
Having credit means being able to buy something today with the promise that you will pay for it later. When you pay your bills on time and in full, lenders will see you as trustworthy and financially responsible. Having good credit is key to becoming financially independent; it means being able to borrow money to pay for things without needing cash, being able to buy a house or rent an apartment in a location that you like, and being able to set up gas, water and electricity without having to put down a deposit.
Good credit also helps you save money on interest and may allow you to get a loan when you have an emergency. Your credit score shows how likely you are to pay what you owe fully and on time. The better your credit is, the higher your credit score will be.
If your credit and credit score are not what you would like them to be, you can make them better.
The most important step is to pay your bills on time. Pay more than the minimum amount due, if you can. If you have trouble doing that, contact the people you owe money to and arrange to pay off any debts in a reasonable amount of time. If you need help, call the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) at 800-388-2227 to find a consumer credit counseling service in your area. For help in Spanish, call 800-682-9832.
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October 15, 2012
In the current economic climate, financial education is helpful to stay ahead. Research shows basic financial literacy cannot only improve a person's financial health, but it can improve their overall health as well. Money can often be a source of stress for many people.
Those with high levels of debt-stress can suffer from a long list of medical issues such as ulcers, digestive tract problems, headaches or migraines, depression, higher rates for heart attack and muscle tension or lower back pain.
The good news is that educating yourself about your finances can help lower these stress levels by building confidence and helping you develop new, positive attitudes and behaviors toward money. 
Start today to take control of your finances. Don’t let financial concerns burden you any longer! Learn how to take control of your finances and build a self-sufficient financial future by visiting MyMoney.gov. MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. The site can help you prepare for life events (births, buying a home, losing a job, retirement) that can affect your finances. You can also find information focused on your personal status (student, parent). Check out the money management tools, such as worksheets for setting up a household budget and a financial savings calculator to get started today!
Read money saving tips at #MoneyMondays!
When you are ready to change your life through work, try Ticket to Work. Explore www.choosework.net for more information about the program, email us at support@chooseworkttw.net, or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD).
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September 17, 2012
By Guest Blogger Djuna Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell was featured on a recent Ticket to Work webinar. She is a former beneficiary, Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) and Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Project Director. Currently, she works for Social Security as a Social Insurance Specialist.
Today we are introducing a new blog series, Money Monday: Your Path to Financial Independence. Created to teach and inspire, the blog series will provide valuable 
information on managing your money helping you reach financial independence and a self-supporting future.
To begin your journey toward financial independence, you will want to open an account with a bank or credit union. It can make all the difference in the world!
If you have an account, you may avoid extra fees to cash your paychecks and you won’t have to worry about having all your cash stolen because you will know it’s safe. By keeping your money in a bank or credit union, you set yourself up for having credit when you need it, because creditors look at how you handle your bank accounts to see if you are a good candidate for a loan. It really is a good idea!
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April 18, 2012
April is National Financial Literacy Month! The topic of finance is has special meaning for people with disabilities. The Ticket to Work program wants to share some tips to help you take charge of your money. Did you know that if you receive SSDI or SSI benefits, you must tell Social Security about any changes in your earnings, your living situation, or other circumstances that affect your financial status?
Below are three practical tips you can apply this month:
Tip #1: Create a budget
Have you ever wondered at the end of the month, “Where did all my money go?” A good way to avoid this is to track your expenses and create a budget. Read budget tips from The Federal Trade Commission. You can also download free templates online, such as this “Expense Worksheet” from FinancialLiteracyMonth.com.
Tip #2: Keep your information up-to-date
Protect your earnings by avoiding overpayments. An overpayment is when you receive more money than what you should have been paid by Social Security. Take an active role to safeguard your earnings by keeping your information up-to-date with Social Security. This means reporting when you start and stop working and if you change your hours or rate of pay. It also means reporting if you have a change in living arrangements, as well as your resources such as bank accounts or cars. Watch our March 2012 webinar, “Preventing and Managing Overpayments: A Webinar for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries” to learn more. You can also download the transcript, audio and presentation slides here.
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