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Shutdown affecting federal courthouses
Dozens of central Illinois residents who are fighting for their Social Security benefits are among those affected by the government shutdown. In response to the partisan fight in Washington, D.C., federal Judge James Shadid, chief of Illinois’ central district, halted proceedings…
USDA closed due to shutdown
Area farmers interested in enrolling in conservation programs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Natural Resources Conservation Service will have to wait until the partial government shutdown is over. People attempting to stop by the office have been greeted…
Obamacare’s Next Round
For all the acrimony in Washington over Obamacare, there’s an intriguing consensus around one issue: the ratchet effect. Neither side uses the term, but both the right and left treat it as an article of faith. The term was coined by…
Will you get your Social Security check if the US defaults?
President Barack Obama warned that Social Security benefits might not go out “on time” if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling. Should seniors and disabled American be worried about their benefits if the U.S. government runs out of borrowing capacity…
US Budget And Debt Talks To Focus On Cutting Social Security
Obama administration spokesmen and congressional Republicans indicated Sunday they were preparing to shift the focus of the ongoing Washington budget and debt discussions to the major entitlement programs, Social Security and Medicare. Democrats and Republicans are using the partial shutdown…
Applying for SSI Benefits for a Child with Autism
Some children who live with autism may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, or SSI. The condition, however, must meet a certain level of severity in order for a child to qualify. Children with severe forms of autism will qualify for…
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS IN JEOPARDY
The Social Security Administration has begun warning the public it cannot guarantee full benefit payments if the debt ceiling isn’t increased. When asked by the public, the agency is notifying beneficiaries that “Unlike a federal shutdown which has no impact on…
Obama says debt deadline is hard, Hatch sees wiggle room
Utah’s Sen. Orrin Hatch says he doesn’t buy the Obama administration’s argument that the nation’s borrowing limit will be hit Oct. 17 and says even if it is, the federal government can prioritize its payments without hurting the economy. Hatch, the…
Another Media Hit on Social Security Disability Programs – Get the Facts
Sunday night, CBS’ 60 Minutes aired a piece they dubbed “Disability, USA” in which they portrayed the Social Security disability programs as exploding over the last few years and in danger of running out of funds. We’re deeply concerned that to press…
Debt ceiling: Understanding what’s at stake
It is the economic calamity that no one expects and everyone fears. Experts agree that failing to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by Oct. 17, when U.S. officials say the government will run out of money to pay its bills, would…