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ACA

Q&A: Navigating the maze of government assistance for an adult child

December 2, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I have a daughter who is 21 and a single mother with a 1-year-old. She has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and major depressive disorder. She hasn’t worked since high school and can’t hold a job. She is no longer a dependent as of this year. My question is what assistance is she eligible to apply for? She already is with WIC and getting benefits for the baby. She’s a mess and I’m having difficulty understanding what she can apply for, and what is realistic in terms of Supplemental Security Income, disability, housing assistance and so on.

Answer: Government benefits can be a nightmarish maze to navigate, but you and your daughter may be able to find your first guide in the WIC program. WIC — which is formally the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — provides low-income women and children with supplemental food and nutrition counseling. WIC also provides screening and referral to other benefit programs that could help your daughter and grandchild.

Another resource is the benefits finder tool at USAGov, the official site of the federal government. Start at https://www.usa.gov/benefit-finder.

You didn’t mention health insurance, but making sure your daughter and her child have coverage is crucial. With medication and counseling, your daughter could stabilize enough to become employable and start to build her young life. Under the Affordable Care Act, she can continue on your health insurance until age 26 even if she’s not a dependent for tax purposes. Otherwise, check the health exchanges at https://www.healthcare.gov/. Please act quickly, as open enrollment ends Dec. 15.

Filed Under: Health Insurance, Q&A Tagged With: ACA, and Children, benefits finder, government benefits, health insurance, Infants, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, USAGov, WIC

Monday’s need-to-know money news

February 1, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How insurance fraud costs you money. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on lottery winners and what to do with extra COVID cash, how to decide if your first house should be a condo, and how to choose your ACA plan.

How Insurance Fraud Costs You Money
Insurance fraud adds an extra $400 to $700 to your premiums every year and costs about $80 billion overall.

Smart Money Podcast: Jackpot Windfall and Extra COVID Cash

Should Your First House Be a Condo?
A condo can make a great starter home, but weigh the pros and cons of buying a condo vs. a house to decide whether it’s right for you.

How to Choose Your Obamacare Plan
Finding the right amount of coverage.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: ACA, condo vs house, extra cash, health insurance, insurance fraud, lottery winners, obamacare, Smart Money podcast

Monday’s need-to-know money news

March 3, 2014 By Liz Weston

download (1)Today’s top story: Should you splurge or save with your tax refund? Also in the news: Saving for the end of the world, understanding Obamacare tax penalties, and why free checking is becoming a thing of the past.

Tax refunds: Cheap thrills or savvy savings?
Choose wisely.

End-of-world money moves to make
Why should the zombies get your money?

Obamacare Tax Penalties: Will You Have to Pay?
Understanding the new insurance penalties.

Free checking disappearing at the big banks
Free checking is going the way of free toasters.

Will Opening Credit Cards Help My Credit
Possibly. But proceed with caution.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: ACA, affordable care act, checking, Credit Cards, Credit Score, free checking, obamacare, tax refunds, zombie apocalypse

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

February 4, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Hiccups to avoid when applying for a VA loan. Also in the news: Keeping your home from turning into a money pit, learning the basics of the Affordable Care Act, and how to file your tax returns electronically.

5 Homebuying Hiccups for Veterans to Avoid
How to clear any potential hurdles on the way to a VA loan.

7 Homebuying Mistakes to Avoid
How not to turn your new home into a money pit.

5 things you need to know about the Affordable Care Act
Learning the basics.

Ways to Electronically File Your tax Return
Skip the long lines at the post office.

Medical Services Medicare Doesn’t Cover
If you need glasses or a hearing aid, you’re on your own.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: ACA, affordable care act, Medicare, mortgages, obamacare, tax returns, VA loan

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