President Biden signed another relief bill which authorized additional stimulus checks, funds for vaccine distribution and more unemployment benefits. The bill also includes many provisions that directly impact senior adults. Some of those include the following:
- Stimulus Checks:$1400 direct payments to individuals earning up to $75,000 annually. Eligible adult dependents also qualify for these payments. Those collecting Social Security or VA benefits automatically receive the payment even if they did not file tax returns. This income will not affect eligibility for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as long as any amount that pushes recipients above qualifying limits is spent within 12 months from the date it was issued.
- Funding:The bill provides additional funding to programs authorized under the Older Americans Act such as vaccine research, caregiver support, and the long-term ombudsman program.
- Nursing Homes:Funds are allocated to improve infection control in nursing homes and the deployment of strike teams to help with COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Pensions: Any multi-employer pension plans that are underfunded can apply for grants in an effort to continue providing recipients with their full pension benefits.
- Medicaid Home Care: Over $12 billion is allocated to expand Medicaid home and community-based waivers for the upcoming year. States can increase caregivers’ pay and provide additional home-based long-term care.
At Stouffer Legal, our elder law attorneys work hard to stay up to date on issues impacting Maryland seniors. The latest COVID-19 relief bill provides a lot of much needed aid for senior adults. For more information on the latest laws affecting seniors or to discuss any elder law needs with an experienced attorney, contact our office that serves the Greater Baltimore area. We assist seniors and their caregivers with long-term care planning, estate planning and estate administration. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com
