Social Security

09 Jun WHAT IS A MILLER TRUST?

Posted at 09:14h in Beneficiary, Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Social Security, Trusts

**Please note that the Medicaid income and asset limitations are subject to change, please click here for 2018 Medicaid Numbers** Although “Miller” or “Qualified Income” Trusts have been around for over twenty years (this author has been doing them since they were first approved in Texas in...

10 Mar SOCIAL SECURITY REPORTS PHISHING SCAM

Posted at 10:34h in Elder Justice, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Social Security

A new scheme has been uncovered that preys on seniors receiving Social Security as they may receive an email that looks like it is from Social Security and the subject line says “Get Protected”. The email refers to a new Congressional Act called S.A.F.E. Act of...

25 Feb HEALTH CARE SPENDING OVERTAKES SOCIAL SECURITY

Posted at 10:17h in Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Social Security

The Congressional Budget Office recently reported that spending on programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, including the additional subsidies resulting from the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), has resulted in exceeding Social Security spending for the first time in history. A total of $936 billion was...

28 Jan Veteran’s Improved Pension Benefits under Attack by New Congressional Bill

Posted at 09:18h in Asset Protection, Assisted Living, Disability Benefits, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Social Security, Taxes, Trusts, Veterans

On January 8, 2016, the “Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2016” was introduced allegedly to protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the basis of need of regular aid and attendance from “dishonest,...

17 Dec Common Strategies to Increase Social Security Income for Married Couples Eliminated by Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015

Posted at 06:00h in Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement, Social Security

In our October 2015 issue of the Texas Elder Law E-Letter, we mentioned the likely passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (the president did sign the bill on November 2) whereby Medicare Part B premiums would be much lower than the astronomical amounts...

11 Dec Congressional Bill Limits Use of Annuities in Medicaid Planning

Posted at 16:42h in Beneficiary, End of Life Care Planning, Long Term Care, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Retirement, Social Security

The House of Representatives has a proposed bill (HR 1771) that would change long established rules for the use of single premium immediate annuities in planning for the protection of a well-spouse (commonly referred to as the “community spouse”) if his or her spouse needs...

07 Nov STAGGERING INCREASE IN MEDICARE PART B PREMIUMS AVERTED BY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET DEAL

Posted at 06:00h in Disability Benefits, Medicaid Application, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes

The President has signed the “Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015” on November 2 , 2015 that otherwise could have resulted in as much as thirty percent of Medicare beneficiaries seeing a fifty two percent increase in their monthly Medicare Part B premiums (which cover doctor’s...

31 Oct GOVERNMENT PAID HOME CARE NOW EASIER TO GET

Posted at 06:00h in Long Term Care, Medicaid Planning, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Nursing Home, Social Security

In situations where one spouse needs care (i.e., assistance with activities of daily living) at home, it just became easier to obtain Medicaid coverage where the government pays someone to give care at home. Until the law became effective as of October 1, 2015, the...

29 Oct Michael spoke at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation

Posted at 16:35h in Disability Benefits, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Michael Cohen Dallas Elder Lawyer, Social Security

On October 13 Michael B. Cohen spoke at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation on issues including Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Medicaid Buy-In and other Medicaid programs. We are currently scheduling speaking engagements for 2016. Please call our office if...

16 Sep Social Security …Simple, Right?

Posted at 06:00h in Divorce, Guardianship, Retirement, Social Security

by Rick Foster There is a lot of confusion about Social Security today and the confusion is well deserved. For a married couple there are 81 different combinations on how and when to take benefits and when you add in some of the different strategies, the...