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E L D E R L A W - Articles by Alison Hirschel, MPLP Elder Law Attorney New Social Security Representative Payee Regulations Promulgated The Social Security Administration has promulgated revised representative payee regulations. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the changes were designed to provide greater protection to beneficiaries. House Guts H.B. 5537, the Bill to Control Temperatures in NursingHomes On September 29, the House passed HB 5537, a bill advocates had been vigorously supporting, that was intended to ensure nursing homes maintained temperatures between 71 and 81 degrees. The measure was a response to concern that many nursing homes across the state lack air conditioning Medicare Announces 2005 Increases for Premiums, Copayments and Deductibles CMS announced new premiums, deductibles, and copayments for 2005 which include significantly increased costs for beneficiaries. For example, beginning in January, 2005, beneficiaries will pay $78.20 per month for their Part B premium, up from $66.60 in 2004 and the largest increase in this premium since the program began. DCH to Begin Using New Screening Tool to Determine Functional Eligibility for Medicaid Funded Nursing Home Care, the MiChoice Program and the PACE Program Currently, consumers who need Medicaid funding to pay for their nursing home care or for the MiChoice program need only a doctor's signature to demonstrate they are medically eligible. Beginning November 1, 2004, however, consumers who need Medicaid funded nursing home care or who want to receive services in the MiChoice program or PACE will be evaluated using a new screening tool Governor's Task Force on Long Term Care Spawns Multitude of Efforts to Reform Long Term Care The 21 member Governor's Task Force on Long Term Care, created by Executive Order following the settlement of the Eager, et al. v. Engler, et al. lawsuit, has been meeting monthly since the summer. |
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F A M I L Y L A W - Articles by Rebecca Shiemke , MPLP Family Law Attorney Child Custody Relocation and the Right to Travel In a recent New York Times article, "Return to New York or Lose Custody, a Mother is Told," by Leslie Eaton, September 30, 2004, it was reported that an appellate court has been asked to review a family court order that a custodial parent return to New York, or lose custody of the child. Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program The State of Michigan is one of four national demonstration sites awarded a grant to develop supervised visitation and safe exchange options for families with a history of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. |
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H O U S I N G L A W - Articles by Jim Schaafsma, MPLP Housing Attorney FY2005 Fair Market Rents a Mixed Bag As reported at the recent Roadshow training, in producing its proposed FY2005 Fair Market Rents (FMRs),...Since then (as reported to the Housing Task Force email group), in response to widespread criticism, HUD withdrew its proposed alteration of the boundaries... Another Setback for (Poor) Chase Manhattan In a recent unpublished decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals rejected the plea of Chase Manhattan Bank that a foreclosure mortgage sale at which Chase made a mistakenly low bid be set aside. Appropriations Bill Would Prevent PHAs from Engaging in Voter Activities Although both the U.S. House and Senate have adjourned until November 15 without having passed an appropriation bill for HUD .... the HUD-VA appropriations bill approved by the relevant Senate appropriations subcommittee contained a troubling provision. Section 224 of that bill (S. 2825) would prohibit housing authorities from using federal funds for "any activities [including voter registration] related to a federal, state, or local election." HUD Clarifies Domestic Violence Shelter Guidelines After receiving comments from advocates, HUD has reinstated provisions that protect the confidentiality of domestic violence victims. |
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P U B L I C B E N E F I T S .- Articles by Lisa Ruby, MPLP Public Benefits Attorney Loans Excluded as Income for Supplemental Security Income Applicants and beneficiaries often need loans of cash and basic necessities. In-kind loans, such as food and shelter, made under the terms of a bona fide loan agreement are not counted as support and maintenance for purposes of SSI. Social Security Announces 2.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2005 Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 52 million Americans will increase 2.7 percent in 2005.
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| T E C H N O L O G Y - Articles by Scott Trudeau, MPLP Technology Manager Free Your Documents: An Introduction to OpenOffice |
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