There were multiple articles of interest this week. Real ID, Financial Fraud and Affordable Internet updates impact young and young at heart ❣ Read on to see what may impact you or someone you love.
Real ID Implementation Update
After the “pandemic delay”, effective May 3, 2023 Real ID goes into effect. Be alert, you have less than a year to get a Real ID suitable for domestic air travel!
- You can still fly domestically without a REAL ID after May 3, 2023 with either a passport, military ID, permanent residence card, or any of these accepted forms of identification.
- The REAL ID requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens under the age of eighteen.
- You will not be able to use your REAL ID to enter Canada or Mexico; you’ll still be required to bring your passport.
- Some states, including Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, which will be accepted by the TSA as a valid form of identification.
Make sure to check what you’ll need to do to get the Real ID before it’s time to renew your driver’s license. Click on the DHS site helpful tool on its website to check your state and for additional details!
Financial Fraud
When it comes to financial scams, seniors are a frequent target. Approximately $2.9 billion/year is lost in the United States, according to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. The U.S. House took a step toward addressing that problem this week by approving a bipartisan measure to fight scams involving older Americans. The bill includes $10 million a year to hire additional investigative staff and upgrade the government’s technology, training and equipment. Additional funds would go toward educating seniors about financial scams.
The bill, formally known as the Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act, passed by a vote of 371-48 on Wednesday, CNBC reported. If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the bill would allow the Securities and Exchange Commission to help state agencies and task forces protect and educate seniors by creating a new Senior Investor Protection Grant Program.
Affordable Internet Initiative
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
- Participates in one of these assistance programs:
- The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
- SNAP
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
- or Lifeline;
- Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribal TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Tribal Head Start (income based)
For information to sign-up: https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/
Navigating the Moving Pieces
One of the main reasons I started The Living Planner practice was to help people navigate the moving pieces in life. Another was to address these pieces in life in layperson terms and explain the impact to your life.
When you know, you can act. When you act, you can feel more at ease.
Check out all my online offerings, resources, and information focused on the interconnected aspects of life for people, pets and businesses: https://bit.ly/LPCourses.
If you have kids, join me for a Live Class on Tuesdays at 4:30pm Pacific Time through June 5 Practical Tips Before Kids Leave Home Join us! https://courses.thelivingplanner.com/https-courses-thelivingplanner-com-live-classes
It’s important to me that I address issues that matter to you. Reach out anytime by email to let me know your thoughts: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com.
Thanks for being a part of the journey of life with me. A quote to ponder this week: “And in the end it’s not the years in a life it’s the life in the years” – Abraham Lincoln
To the week ahead! Lynn
#LifeHacks