Quick answer: What changed in 2025—and who should switch? In 2025, Medicare Advantage (MA) still covers over half of eligible beneficiaries. The Inflation Reduction Act added a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for Part D drugs and a new Prescription Payment Plan that lets you spread drug costs over the year—changes that affect both MA-PD and … Read more
What new Section 202 housing is launching soon? HUD announced FY2024 Section 202 awards on January 15, 2025, including nearly $97 million for new PRAC-assisted homes (≈700–800 units) across multiple states. These projects typically move from award to closing and construction over 6–24 months, so expect groundbreakings and early lease-up notices through late 2025–2027, depending … Read more
What’s changing for veterans in late 2025? Expect three headline items: (1) VA pay increases for 2026 tied to the Social Security COLA announced in October 2025, implemented Dec 1, 2025 (paid with January checks) if Congress passes the annual veterans’ COLA bill (H.R. 2138 / S. 2392). (2) Caregiver Support (PCAFC) is already extended … Read more
Medicaid drug coverage is not one size fits all—and 2025–2026 brings some of the biggest shifts in years. Below, we break down the federal rules now in force, how states are handling GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and sickle cell gene therapies, and where to click to confirm your state’s latest PDL. What changed federally for 2025–2026? … Read more
There isn’t one official “Ticket to Work success rate.” Instead, SSA reports pieces: how many people assign Tickets (engagement), how many reach SGA-level earnings (milestones), and how many have benefits suspended or terminated due to work (outcomes). Below, we translate the latest 2024–2025 data into practical success benchmarks—minus the jargon. What does “success rate” mean … Read more
In 2025, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) still shapes Medicaid in two big ways that seniors feel indirectly: (1) which states expanded Medicaid (affecting local delivery systems and budgets), and (2) how states process applications/renewals (streamlined rules and timelines that also touch seniors). But core senior eligibility (SSI-based) remains largely outside ACA’s MAGI rules. KFF+2Medicaid+2 … Read more
Seniors have fresh money-saving options in 2025. Highlights include New Jersey’s new one-stop application for property-tax relief programs, Pennsylvania’s active Property Tax/Rent Rebate portal, Colorado’s 2025 senior exemption timing and eligibility restorations in some counties, Illinois’s income-indexed Senior Freeze, New York’s updated EPIC drug help, and SNAP ESAP simplified access. Apply using the official links … Read more
2025 brought meaningful state action against elder financial exploitation. More states empowered banks to pause suspicious transactions, several refined reporting and immunity rules, Florida strengthened injunctions to stop exploitation, and other states advanced POA safeguards. Exact protections differ by state, but the overall trend is toward faster intervention and clearer safe harbors. ABA Banking Journal+2Florida … Read more
The typical SSI disability application in 2025 takes about 7–8 months (≈220–230 days) for an initial decision, with reconsiderations often around the same or slightly longer and hearings adding many more months if you appeal. Times vary by state and by the evidence in your file. Sources and how to speed things up below. Social … Read more
The 2025 Trustees Report says Social Security’s retirement fund (OASI) will be depleted in 2033, and the combined funds in 2034—at which point the program could still pay 77–81% of scheduled benefits from incoming payroll taxes. The disability fund (DI) remains solvent for the 75-year window. Here’s what that means—and what you can do. Social … Read more