In an effort to make life easier for Social Security beneficiaries, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced a change to how signatures are gathered. On 30 forms, electronic i signatures will be accepted and no signature will be required at all for 13 forms. The intent is to make applications simpler and remove one […]
Continue reading…
Medicare Guide – What You Need to Know for This Year
Every September, the CMS mails out a hard copy handbook, Medicare & You. Around the same time, the annual avalanche of ads about Medicare Advantage plans arrives in your mailbox, on television, and on your social media feeds. These sales pitches escalate during the Open Enrollment season (October 15 – December 7). Every year, we prepare […]
Continue reading…
Why You Must Read This Year’s Annual Notice of Change for Medicare Plans
Every September, Medicare recipients receive an Annual Notice of Change for their Medicare Plans. That’s because every January, coverage and costs change. Whether you are enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, this letter contains the details on premiums, deductibles, and co-pays from 2024 and what’s coming in […]
Continue reading…
Stephen J. Silverberg, Esq., and Scott B. Silverberg Named To 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers® In Elder Law
For the eleventh consecutive year, Stephen J. Silverberg, based on extensive peer review, is listed in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Elder Law. Scott B. Silverberg is listed in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Elder Law and Trusts […]
Continue reading…
New Yorkers Returning to Florida in the Fall – Be Mindful of Your Residency Status
Many former New York residents are enjoying being north for the summer, escaping the heat and humidity of Florida or other warm climates to visit with family and friends. If you’re a snowbird, you need to be mindful of your activities and how long you stay visit, lest you be deemed a resident of New […]
Continue reading…
What is the Purpose of a Promissory Note in Medicaid Planning?
Medicaid planning is often a complex process aimed at preserving a person’s assets while qualifying for Medicaid benefits. Finding a way to pay for long-term care costs without depleting all your hard-earned assets is a key part of Medicaid planning. One strategy for protecting assets and qualifying for Medicaid that has gained attention in recent […]
Continue reading…
Medicare Season is Nearly Here – Are You Ready?
Did you know that nearly 34 million Americans are enrolled in Original Medicare? And nearly 32 million are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. So, when changes are made to Medicare, we think it’s important you know what’s coming next. We call it “Medicare Season,” the time of year when people who are enrolled in Medicare have […]
Continue reading…
MEDICARE DRUG PLAN ADVISORY: Upgrades May Require Action for 65+ Wage Earners with Employee Prescription Plans
If you’ve delayed signing up for Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) because you’re still working and have health insurance through your employer, you must know about some changes that may affect your budget in 2025. Working people who qualify for Medicare sometimes delay applying, which is fine if you meet the requirements. Your employer’s […]
Continue reading…
When Decoration Day Became Memorial Day, and Why It Still Matters
Memorial Day is a topic I return to every May because it is important to honor the Americans who gave their lives in service to our great nation. It’s a national holiday with a somber and respectful history, and we need, especially now, to keep that in mind. Our activities on Memorial Day should include […]
Continue reading…
Social Security Administration Releases Final Rule Omitting Food from In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculation for SSI
The most important takeaway from the Social Security Administration’s rule change is that any purchases of food for Supplemental Security Income recipients from Special Needs Trusts and families will not decrease the SSI payment. The new rule was approved on March 27 and effective September 30, 2024. This new ruling makes Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) […]
Continue reading…