January is in the books, are your New Year's Resolutions Still Intact?

Hartwood Foundation is Resolute in Making 2024 a Fantastic Year!

We enjoyed the two recent snowstorms! A a welcome sight after some past winters with little snow. We saw the snow evaporate in short order with warmer temps and rain. That got us to thinking - everyone starts with great resolutions to beginning of the year, but they typically can fade like the snow did by the close of January.

How are your resolutions holding up right now? Many resolve to change patterns of behavior, pick up a new hobby, read more books, watch less TV, do less e-gaming, workout more or maybe aim for a targeted weight loss. We hope that whatever your resolutions were for 2024 are still in place and wish you continued success in obtaining them for the remainder of the year.

We at Hartwood Foundation are resolute in our goal to provide the best-in-class support and housing for our residents. We appreciate our Direct Support Professionals for their consistent and tireless efforts that help in achieving excellence in each one of our homes. In the coming months, we look forward sharing new sponsorships and continual improvements in our homes and support programs during the course of 2024.

The new year is one month in the books, and we wish everyone good health in the coming months and realization of goals.

Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Vienna and Viva! Vienna! Festival for their continued support of Hartwood Foundation!

Each year the Rotary Club of Vienna puts on the Viva! Vienna! festival over Memorial Day weekend and Hartwood Foundation is one of over 60 local organizations that benefit from this event. This 3-day event has carnival rides, 250+ street vendors, live music, a beer garden and great activities for young and old to enjoy. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Viva! Vienna! Mark your calendars for May 25, 26,&27. We hope you will support their event and 100% of the proceeds are donated to local organizations. More information can be found about their event at www.vivavienna.org.

THANK YOU, VIVA! VIENNA! AND CONGRATS ON YOUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

Proposed legislation would update rules so that people with developmental disabilities aren't forced to give up certain government benefits if they marry. (Wedding Dreamz/Unsplash)

Lawmakers Want To End SSI Marriage Penalty For People With Developmental Disabilities

Under a bipartisan proposal in Congress, people with developmental disabilities would no longer sacrifice a key government benefit if they choose to get married.

Currently, couples who both receive Supplemental Security Income see their benefits docked by 25% if they wed.

However, a bill introduced this month in the U.S. House of Representatives would eliminate that penalty for SSI beneficiaries with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Individuals with intellectual disabilities shouldn’t be punished for getting married, but sadly that’s exactly what’s happening with their reduction in SSI benefits,” said Rep. David G. Valadao, R-Calif., who introduced the legislation along with Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev. “I introduced the Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act to ensure married adults with intellectual disabilities have the resources they need to meet their basic needs and lead independent lives.”

For 2024, the maximum federal SSI payment for an individual is $943 per month, but married couples who both qualify for the program receive just $1,415.

The legislation would require that a spouse’s income and resources and a person’s marriage status be disregarded when determining SSI eligibility for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

This article was featured in Disability Scoop by Shaun Heasley, January 26, 2024

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