The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 1

-Peer Support

-Advocacy

-IL Skills Training

-Information & Referral

-Nursing Home & Youth Transitions

2016-2017

The

Independence

“It’s Our Story”

WINTER

The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) can provide an increase in

the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit

rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living as determined by

the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI-W rose this year. When inflation increases, your cost of living also goes up. Prices for

goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive. Since the CPI-W did rise, the law

Increases benefits to help offset inflation. As a result, monthly Social Security and SSI benefits for

over 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent in 2017.

Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage

index will begin in January 2017. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the

Social Security payroll tax will increase to $127,200. You can read a new fact sheet that provides

more information on 2017 Social Security and SSI changes at www.socialsecurity.gov/news/press/

factsheets/colafacts2017.pdf .

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2017

So You Voted, What is Next? The long election season is over, amen….no more political ads. But as one campaign ends another

starts. Rumors of candidates are circulating for the mid-term election in 2018 and the Granddaddy

in 2020. I t’s important for people with disabilities to stand watch over our elected officials and be

strong and loud when there is legislation being proposed that effect people with disabilities. There

is uncertainty at the state and federal level with both having new leadership. You have to let our

state and federal officials hear your voice, be an advocate and not set on the sideline and let

others speak for you. As we just saw in this years General Election, each vote counts. Your vote

counts. If you have questions on pending legislation that is being discussed, pick up the phone or

email either the legislative office or your local Center for Independent Living for clarification. What

is next? Well no one has a crystal ball, but we can let our opinions be known.. Please advocate that

funding will keep being appropriated for disability and aging services. Visit your representatives

website, send messages and most of all let us band together to remain strong and proud of who

we are. We want to be part of the solution, not the problem!

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 2

NORTH CAROLINA STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL

Membership Application

Date: _______________________

N a m e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S t r e e t A d d r e s s : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ City: _______________ Zip: _____________ County: ___________ Pho ne Number : ________________ E -Ma i l : ___________________

1. Why are you interested in becoming a member of the NC Statewide Independent Living Council?

2. Which Centers for Independent Living have you visited or which State Independent Living programs (VR, VRILP, DSB) are you familiar with?

3. What are some community activities that you are or were involved in that are disability related?

By law, the NCSILC has to have a majority of people with significant disabilities representative of these following categories. If applicable, please check all the areas that apply to you.

__ Seeing Disability __ Learning Disability __ Parent of an adult child with a disability __ Hearing Disability __ Cognitive Disability __ Physical Disability

__ Emotional or Mental Health Disability __ Parent of a school age child with a disability

__ Systemic Disability (Lupus, CFIDS, renal, chemical/electrical sensitivity)

Information call Debbie Hippler 919-835-3636 or visit NCSILC.org

505 Oberlin Rd. Suite 206 Raleigh NC 27605

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 3

Medicaid - Who is Eligible -A question most asked?? You may be eligible for Medicaid if you are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on your family’s monthly income and the amount of resources you own. To receive Medicaid for the blind or disabled, you must be evaluated by a doctor.

Effective November 1, 2008, a disabled and/or blind individual may be able to go to work or increase their hours of work and still receive Medicaid through the Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities Act.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income , you are eligible for North Carolina Medicaid. You do not need to apply.

When you apply for Medicaid, your family’s monthly income is calculated by subtracting certain deductions from your gross income. Social Security, veteran’s benefits, wages, pensions and other retirement income are counted. The deductions vary with each Medicaid program. Your county work-er will calculate your monthly family income.

Your monthly countable income cannot be more than the amounts listed below.

Monthly Income Limits for Medicaid for Adults

Your resources may not be more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Resources include the following:

cash

bank accounts

retirement accounts

stocks and bonds

cash value of life insurance policies

other investments.

The value of your home, a car, home furnishing, clothing and jewelry are not counted.

If your family income and/or resources are over the limit and you have high medical bills, you may still qualify for Medicaid and have a Medicaid deductible.

Medicaid may also help pay for nursing homes and intermediate care facilities, as well as long-term care in the home.

If you think you may be eligible—Apply Online—Apply in Person, you can apply at the County Department of Social Services (DSS) in the county where you live.

QUESTIONS? 336-767-7060 -The Adaptables

Monthly Income Limits for Medicaid for Adults

Family size

1 2

Monthly Income Limit $990 $1,335

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 4

The View from Where I Sit By-Mark Steele

The Adaptables,

Inc.

Center For

Independent Living

Had MOVED

Food Lion

University Plaza

North Point Chrysler-Dodge

Please stop by and say hello.

Sunday

March 12, 2017

Daylight Savings

Begins

Phone Numbers

336-767-7060 Voice

336-760-7240 Fax

866-894-3103 Toll free

Make Independent Living Part of Your New Years Resolution.

Support You Local Center For Independent Living

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 5

Volunteers

Needed

Teach basic computer skills

Help with school based programs

Develop computer refurbish program seeking community donations

Office Duties

Assist with Community Activities

Make your Tax Free Donation Today

Sign up for:

To Volunteer Contribution

Time

Amount ______________________

______________________

Name

Address

Phone

In Person

Method of payment

Check

Signature

Detach and Mail , call or fax to The Adaptables

Online Donations now available through the Website

Click Here

The Adaptables, Inc. Center For Independent

Living 7744 North Point Blvd.

Winston-Salem, NC 27106

336-767-7060 866-894-3103 or

Fax to 336-760-7240

RUSSIAN TEA

1/2 cup Tang

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

3 TBSP. instant tea

Mix together.

Use about 3 tsp. per cup of Hot water.

Keeps well in tightly closed container

Four Layer Pie 1st layer: 1 c. flour ½ c. firmly chopped pecans 1 stick butter Melt butter in pie plate. Stir in flour and nuts, press out to form a crust. Bake @ 375 until brown. Approximately 30 minutes. Be sure to cool before adding 2nd layer. 2nd layer: ½ lg. cool whip 8 oz. cream cheese 1 c. powder sugar Cream sugar and cream cheese. Add cool whip, blend and lay in crust. 3rd layer: 1 lg. pkg Jell-O Chocolate instant pudding 2 ½ c. milk Beat well. Let stand 5 minutes. Spread on cream cheese layer. 4th layer: Spread remainder of Cool Whip and Sprinkle with finely chopped pecans. Place in refrigerator. If desired, put in freezer before serving.

Holiday Yummy and Simple to Make

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 6

With the holidays here and the weather getting colder, some of us need some extra help to get through the next couple of months. Here is a compiled list of food banks in the surrounding areas.

Forsyth County:

Second Harvest Food Bank of N.W.N. Carolina.

3655 Reed St

Winston Salem, NC 27107

(336) 784 5770

Samaritan Ministries:

1243 Patterson Ave

Winston Salem, NC 27101

(336) 748 1962

Agape Care and Share:

3650 N. Patterson Ave

Winston Salem, NC 27105

(336) 744 4004

www.agapecareandshare.com

Crisis Control Ministries:

200 E. Tenth St

Winston Salem, NC 27101

(336) 724 7453

431 W. Bodenhamer St

Kernersville, NC 27284

(336) 996 5401

United Way of Forsyth County:

301 N. Main St

Winston Salem, NC 27101

(336) 723 3601

www.forsythunitedway.org

Salvation Army Christmas Services:

(Serves Davie, Yadkin, and Stokes Counties)

680 Peters Creek Pkwy

Winston Salem, NC

(336) 245 2084

Davidson, Davie and Yadkin Counties:

West Davidson Food Pantry:

4600 W. Old US Hwy 64

Lexington, NC

(336) 787 4357

Upper Room Food Ministries:

10545 NC8

Southmont NC

(336) 798 7777

Pastor’s Pantry:

307 N. State St

Lexington, NC 27292

(336) 249 8824

Salvation Army, Davie County:

(Also serving Stokes and Yadkin Counties)

836 Oak St Suite 310

Winston Salem, NC 27107

(336) 723 6366

A Storehouse for Jesus:

675 E. Lexington Rd

Mocksville, NC

(336) 753 8081

Tri-County Christian Crisis Ministries:

134 Bluff St

Jonesville, NC

(336) 526 1089

Yadkin Christian Ministries, Emergency Food & Services:

112 Elm St

Yadkinville, NC 27055

(336) 677 3080

www.Y-C-M.org

Stokes and Surry Counties:

Pilot Mountain Outreach

Food Pantry:

321 Old Hwy 52

Pilot Mountain, NC 27041

(336) 368 4907

www.seamsministries.org

Foothills Food Pantry:

233 Cooper St

Dobson, NC 27107

(336) 386 8405

Willing Partners:

544 E. Stuart Dr

Galax VA

(276) 236 2072

www.willingpartners.org

Mt Airy Church of God:

1313 Carter St

Mt Airy, NC 27030

(336) 789 2517

New Grace Baptist Church:

283 Belvue Dr

Mt Airy, NC 27030

(336)789 1410

Y o k e f e l l o w C o o p e r a t i v e Ministry:

215 Jones School Rd

Mt Airy, NC 27030

(336) 789 5838

The Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Davidson County provides a food pantry to Davidson and Forsyth county residents who meet certain requirements.

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 7

Contact the Adaptables, Referring Agent for The Target Housing Program

The Independence Newsletter “It’s Our Story” 8

Please follow our BLOGS on the website at www.theadaptables.org

Join us on the fourth Monday of each month from 1-4 PM for basic computer training. Please call by the 10th of each month to sign up.

The Adaptables Center For Independent Living

7744 North Point Blvd

Winston-Salem, NC 27106

336-767-7060

2017 Training Dates—January 23—February 27—March 27—April 24

The Adaptables, Inc.

Center For Independent

Living

7744 North Point Blvd.

Winston-Salem, NC 27106

336-767-7060 —866-894-3103

Alternative Formats and Print Copy Available Upon Request

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Christmas December, 22—23—26, 2016

New Years Day, January– 2, 2017

MLK DAY, January 16, 2017

Presidents Day, February 20, 2017 From the Staff at the Adaptables