See the current listing of Support Groups (in SEM area)
provided by FRIENDS Alliance
http://www.friendsalliance.org/support_hm.html
eNews - FRIENDS Alliance weekly e-news lists new local care
programs and those currently accepting new clients and weekly listing for
support groups covers mainly southeast Michigan area. Sign up:
mgreen@friendsalliance.org
Attn: CASEMANAGERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, ADVOCATES
AND SSDI RECIPIENTS
Stimulus Payments available for SSDI Recipients, but
must File Tax Return
Kenneth Pape (2/20/08)
The only way to receive a rebate from the economic stimulus package is
to file a tax return, according to the IRS. This includes SSDI and
veterans’ benefit recipients who do not normally file tax returns.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does NOT count as qualifying income
for this stimulus payment. In most cases, rebates will range from $300
to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1200 for joint filers.
Individuals who might not otherwise be required to file a 2007 tax
return will need to file a return this year to get the stimulus payment.
The return must show at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
Go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov for
more detailed information, and
to download IRS forms 1040 or 1040A which must be used to file 2007’s
tax return.
The IRS website also advises on how to get free tax help. The Volunteer
Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides help to low income taxpayers.
VITA can be reached by calling 1-800-906-9887. Other agencies providing
free tax help are also available.
Kenneth Pape is the HIV/AIDS services coordinator for the Michigan Department
of Human Services, papek@michigan.gov
Notice of Income Guidelines Change for Insurance
Assistance Programs
For 2008 the income guideline (for one person) has increased to
$1,733/m for the Insurance Assistance Program (IAP). The income guideline (for
one) has increased to $3,900/m for the Insurance Assistance Program- Plus .
If you have any questions, please contact John Bain (IAP) at 313-456-1677 or
bainj@michigan.gov or Monty
Davenport (IAP-Plus) at 313-456-3882 or
davenportm@michigan.gov .
Adult Benefit Waiver (ABW) program open enrollment
ending Soon
MDCH plans to end open enrollment for the Adult Medical Program (AMP)
also known as the Adult Benefit Waiver (ABW) program on Friday, February 29,
2008.
Applications for this program must be filed at the DHS office no later than
Friday, February 29,2008.
Improved Care for Mid & Central MI
by Barbara Wood
From Michigan HIV & STD News, Winter 2008 Issue
It began with a conversation between Peter Gulick, DO, FACP, Associate
Professor of Medicine, Michigan State University and Patrick Yankee,
MDCH-DHWDC-HAPIS care unit manager about three years ago. Dr. Gulick knew that
MSU was going to be divesting its support for clinics at the University,
including his, and he was concerned about continuing care for his PWA patients.
When Yankee found this out, he did some research and discovered that Dr. Gulick
was the only provider within a wide area who was serving PWAs without private
insurance. See article in Michigan News.
"Shut UP! Project" Materials Updated
The "Shut UP! Project" of the former MAX (Michigan Advocates Exchange) was
invented to distribute materials describing the HIV confidentiality law around
the state, to allow people to deal with violations of their privacy. That
project ended when MAX closed.
The "Shut Up Project" actually had three tools: (1) the "Shut Up" article for
people living with HIV that explained their rights and responsibilities, (2) the
"Shut Up" cards with a summary of the confidentiality law and (3) the "Shut Up"
letter "that could be sent by anybody to anybody else with a big mouth," stated
former MAX ED Kendra Kleber, JD.
On February 8, Kleber announced on MI-Voice that she has updated the two
articles and is making them available on her website. "The 'Shut Up' article has
been updated, and it is still a great introduction to legal rights for a person
living with HIV," Kleber stated. "The 'Shut Up' letter has morphed into another
article, this one targeted at the 'blabber.' It has a completely different tone
from the old version, and now is an explanation of the confidentiality law for
somebody with no background. The 'Shut Up' card is gone."
These new articles will be posted on Kleber's website
www.positiveoutlook.org, in a new
"Shut Up!" section. Each article is just two pages, "which means that you could
print them double-sided to save paper."
Kleber now has a private practice, Kendra S. Kleber & Associates PLLC,
supporting the self-sufficiency, independence and quality of life of people
living with HIV/AIDS
by providing those who are disabled and unable to work with creative and
effective legal representation on claims for Social Security disability
benefits, nationwide. You may contact her at P.O. Box 1960, Royal Oak, Michigan
48068-1960; phone
248-591-0301; (fax) 248-548-7909; or e-mail
kkleber@positiveoutlook.org.
National News
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See January Archived News.
