Coye Law Social Security -April 2019

‘Hey, Alexa!’ 3 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help Get Your Kids Ready for School

more calming way to wake up. If your kid decides to catch a few more z’s and ignore their alarm, you can use some of Alexa’s other features, like Drop In and Intercom, to start a two-way conversation or send announcements to all the kids’ rooms in the house. Reminders and Lists Alexa can also help you check off items from your family’s morning to-do lists to minimize the chaos of weekday mornings. You can create reminders to pack lunches or grab homework, and then all you have to do is ask, “Alexa, what are my reminders?” She will run down the list, so you can hit the road early without the nagging feeling that you left something behind. Make It a Game “Out the Door” is an interactive Alexa game that turns getting ready for school into an adventure for younger children. Each day, kids are given a new superpower and have to defeat a different creature as they complete "missions," which include tasks like brushing their teeth and getting dressed. It makes the process of getting ready for school exciting and gives kids an incentive to fulfill their responsibilities. If you don’t already have an Echo Dot, you can find them at most major retail stores. Make your mornings less stressful by starting with “Hey, Alexa” and going from there.

Even though parents and kids everywhere are getting close to celebrating the last day of school this year, school day mornings are difficult no matter what season it is. Do you feel like you've run a marathon by 9 a.m. every day? Rest assured that you're not alone. Mornings are often the most hectic and stressful part of a parent's daily schedule. Fortunately, there is an inexpensive and popular device that can help take some of the pressure off your morning routine and get your kids to the bus on time: Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa! Alarms of All Kinds You can place an Echo Dot in your kid's room and set an alarm that wakes them up to the weather report, a standard alarm sound, or their favorite tunes. You can also program Alexa to turn on a compatible bedside lamp so they wake up to light instead of sound, which offers a

The Ticket to Work Program A Way to Re-enter the Workforce Without Losing Disability Benefits

you reintroduced to employment. It is not a mandatory program, but it's an excellent route for those who wish to see if they can return to the workforce. Because your benefits are protected through the Ticket to Work program, it is the best option for those with disabilities who want to return to gainful employment but aren’t sure if they are able to. The benefits only stop if you are able to earn more than $700 a month for nine months (consecutive or not) within a 60-month period. If you reach this level of income, the trial work period stops. Your benefits can be reinstated if you stop working within three years of the end of your trial work period. The Ticket to Work program is a wonderful system, but it’s not without its stumbling blocks. To make sure you protect your benefits while exploring possible employment options, speak with an attorney before cashing in your ticket.

Contrary to the opinions of those who’d like to slash the benefits available to Americans in need, most people want to work. Employment provides us with a sense of value and contribution. In fact, some people who have already qualified for and receive Social Security Disability benefits want to re-enter the workplace, but doing so means risking the benefits they rely on. The Social Security Administration has a program called Ticket to Work that is dedicated to addressing this specific situation. Ticket to Work is a program that provides rehabilitation, professional referrals, and other support services to those with disabilities. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) issues tickets to people who qualify to return to work. If you are interested, you can take the ticket to an Employment Network or a Vocational Rehabilitation Center. These organizations are affiliated with the SSA and offer job training, materials preparation, employer location information, and other forms of assistance in finding a job. If you actively participate in the Ticket to Work program and report all of your work activity, you won't lose your benefits. The program functions as a test of your ability to work and tries to get

Call Coye Law today at 407-871-3191 for help with Ticket to Work or any other aspect of disability law.

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