Take a look at the latest edition of the Makin' It Better Newsletter!
Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER
March 2021
Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability
1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com
Proud to Be an Entrepreneur HONORING MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY
America was built on the backs of small-business owners. Every day that entrepreneurs wake up, work hard, and grow their businesses, they have an impact on the community and the people they employ. And I’m not just blowing smoke. According to the Family Owned Business Institute in Michigan, family-owned businesses account for 78% of job creation in the U.S. and employ 63% of the workforce. Entrepreneurs, business owners, and families with a dream are changing lives just by putting in the hard work! At this time last year, our work got really hard. It wasn’t easy to navigate business ownership in the middle of a pandemic, but by working together and adapting, we were able to grow. March 29 is Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, and I want to encourage you to celebrate yourself a little bit — even if your mom-and-pop shop has grown to be much larger. This month, I want to celebrate all that we have accomplished and offer further motivation to fellow business leaders who are feeling tired, burnt out, and stressed. Here’s a great story from Mower County, Minnesota, that proves small businesses are what push our country forward. Mower County boasts about 40,000 residents, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in heart. An alliance of small-business owners and residents make up a group the county calls Pay It Forward, which is dedicated to helping those in need in both big and small ways. When an elderly gentleman’s snowblower was stolen, Pay It Forward donated a new one. When a little girl in the community was born with brittle bone disease, Pay It Forward donated $2,000 to help the family cover medical expenses. When an elderly couple needed dozens of trees removed from their lawn, a local tree service in Pay It Forward volunteered to do it at no cost. The group has also donated funds for an adaptive bike and helped families update their homes to be more accessible, sometimes at a cost of over $65,000.
With each action, Pay It Forward is doing more than giving back to its community — it’s creating a legacy and a foundation of people who step up to help their neighbors when times are tough. The group’s impact has been so widespread that it earned Mower County a spot on the annual “Nicest Places in America” list by Reader’s Digest, and I think that’s a worthy title. I believe the work Pay It Forward does in its community is powerful and worth celebrating. I know the residents and citizens who participate in Pay It Forward wouldn’t want much credit for the work they do, but they’re creating ripples in Mower County and setting a precedent that being a community member doesn’t mean you just live and work there. It means you help improve the lives of those around you. As small-business owners, we have a unique opportunity to do just that. I hope you’re as inspired by the small businesses of Mower County as I am, and I hope you will join me this Mom and Pop Business Owners Day and toast the hard work entrepreneurs do every day. –Joe Di Bartolomeo
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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Get Your Seasonal Allergies Before They Get You! HIGH QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Spring brings with it many wonderful things, like longer days, picturesque scenery, and spring break, but right alongside those good things is something most people suffer from: allergies. While beautiful, the blooming trees and flowers make you want to stay away from the great outdoors for fear of nonstop sneezing or puffy, watery eyes. If you suffer from allergies caused by pollen, grass, or other spring plants, take these steps to breathe a little easier. When outside, avoid walking through areas with weeds, shrubbery, or lots of trees as much as possible. Grass and weeds are notably problematic. The slightest breeze can send particles flying through the air in the blink of an eye. When you walk through grassy areas, pollen will get on you, your clothes, and your hair. It’s best to stick to trails, sidewalks, and other paved areas.
If you do find yourself inundated with pollen or other allergens, your next best bet is to establish an at-home decontamination protocol. Take your shoes off at the door and make sure your clothes don’t come in contact with soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, or bedding. Take care to wash your “pollinated” clothes as soon as possible and wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Next, head for the shower. The sooner you can wash away the allergens, the better. Finally, don’t forget to replace the air filter in your home’s air system in the spring. Consider using an air filter designed to capture allergens. If your allergies are particularly troublesome, invest in a dedicated air filtration system or unit. While you can opt for portable, stand-alone air purifiers, there are larger systems that can be incorporated into your heating and air system that keep your entire home’s air free from most, if not all, common allergens.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS AND PERMANENT DISABILITY
APPLYING Once you’ve requested an application from Nelnet and proved you qualify for a TPD discharge, any required payments on student loans will pause for 120 days. This gives you enough time to complete the application, find any needed documents, and submit them. If you are unable to apply yourself, a representative can submit your TPD discharge application in your stead. APPROVED The steps following an approval vary on the type of document submitted but are similar. For VA documentation, SSA documentation, or a physician’s certification, your loans or services are thus discharged. Additionally, loan holders are also instructed to return any payments that were received on or after the date you were determined
as permanently disabled. In regards to the SSA documentation or physician’s certification, however, you will be put under a three-year observation period. If it’s determined you don’t meet certain requirements in that time, your obligations to the loans and services are reinstated. DENIED Upon receiving a denial of a TPD discharge request from Nelnet, you have 12 months to request a reevaluation and provide new documentation of your eligibility. If you fail to do so within that time period, you must submit a new TPD discharge application with new information about your disability. You can find a TPD discharge application by visiting the TPD Discharge website at DisablityDischarge.com.
Individuals who are permanently disabled may qualify for a total and permanent disability (TPD) discharge for student loans and any TEACH Grant obligations. Here’s what you need to know about the TPD discharge process. QUALIFYING A TPD discharge application must be completed and submitted to Nelnet (a servicer that assists the U.S. Department of Education with the TPD discharge process) to first qualify. Along with the application, you must also include proof you are permanently disabled. This documentation can be provided from one of three sources: the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Social Security Administration (SSA), or a physician’s certification.
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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STAY ALERT THIS SPRING And Prevent Accidents From Happening
UNPREDICTABLE PEDESTRIANS The most unpredictable pedestrians are children and animals because they are more likely to dart out in the road and in front of a vehicle chasing a ball or another animal. In areas where it is more likely they are present, it is crucial for drivers to be alert and drive slowly. It’s also important to be aware of any business or bar you pass in the event that an impaired and slow-moving pedestrian is in the vicinity. TIME OF DAY When it is dark outside, drivers and pedestrians should be more alert to their surroundings and proceed with caution. Pedestrians can reduce their risk of being involved in a vehicle-pedestrian accident by being conscious of their clothing. They should wear neon colors to help them stand out, as well as use reflective tape. Drivers should also pay attention to the days of the week: On Saturdays and Sundays, there may be more people out than during the workweek.
As we move into the first days of spring, we’re going to see more and more people out on the streets. Not only are people eager to get out in warming weather after a long winter, but the pandemic has also increased a sense of cabin fever for people everywhere. With an expected spike in pedestrians moving around our streets, drivers will need to be more careful than ever before. To help increase safety this spring, here are a few refreshing pointers. INTERSECTIONS AND CROSSWALKS Under Oregon state law, all intersections are considered crosswalks and should be treated as such by both drivers and pedestrians. Drivers should be prepared to come to a complete stop upon seeing a pedestrian preparing to cross the street. Pedestrians should make eye contact with the driver and ensure they have come to a complete stop before proceeding across the street. Keep in mind, it is illegal for a vehicle to enter a crosswalk while occupied by a pedestrian.
By staying alert and keeping these tips in mind, you’re sure to stay safe and have plenty of fun in the warmer days ahead of us.
PUZZLE
English Ground Beef Pasties Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 3/4 lb ground beef • 1 medium onion, diced • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry dough • 1 tsp dried parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup beef broth (as needed)
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, and potatoes. 3. Roll out the pastry dough into roughly 10-inch circles or squares. 4. Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture onto each sheet of dough, then top the mixture with parsley, salt, and pepper. 5. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching each pasty shut and tucking in both ends. 6. Transfer the pasties to the prepared baking sheet, then cut several small slits in each pasty for ventilation. Bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove the pasties from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 F. Spoon 1 tsp beef broth into each slit, then bake for an additional 15 minutes. 8. Serve and enjoy!
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103
What’s Inside
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Thank You, Fellow Small-Business Owners!
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Get Your Seasonal Allergies Before They Get You! Do You Qualify for a Student Loan Discharge?
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Warmer Days Mean More People Out and About: Stay Alert English Ground Beef Pasties
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Could an Electric Bike Replace Your Second Family Car?
Could an Electric Bike Replace Your Second Family Car?
The U.S. has the most extensive road system in the world, so it probably comes as no surprise that U.S. households have two cars (1.88, to be exact) on average. This number has remained relatively steady since 2001, but in the last year, many people began to reconsider their driving habits in light of the pandemic. With professionals working from home and students schooling remotely, many family cars stayed parked in the driveway. While this helped save on fuel costs, car owners still had to pay for insurance, maintenance, and registration, which left some people wondering if owning two vehicles was necessary. Enter the electric bike (e-bike), an eco- friendly alternative, especially for those in two-car households.
Forbes contributor Scott Kramer traded his second family car for an e-bike in late 2019 and says he has no regrets. “I can share our other car with my wife when needed. Or just take an Uber. I love the two electric bikes that I own and ride them religiously to do errands within 5 miles of the house.” What if your trek is longer than 5 miles? It’s tricky to say precisely how far a rider can go on a fully charged battery because an e-bike’s range is affected by speed and terrain. At a minimum, riders can expect to go 30 miles round trip without a problem. Some bikes can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge, and, as with electric cars, the technology improves every year. If range is less of a concern than speed, swapping a car for an e-bike may mean slower speeds and longer travel times, but
not always. Top speeds vary by model
and brand, but many get up to 20–30 mph. Also, you’ll save time by avoiding traffic and having to look for parking. There are, of course, some drawbacks. Highly rated e-bikes come with a hefty price tag — $1,200 at the low end and over $7,000 at the high end — which can be more than a good used car. They’re also heavy, which is bad news for anyone who needs to bring theirs up a flight of stairs. Finally, depending on where you live, e-bikes might not be a viable option for year-round riding. The bottom line is that if you’re looking to decrease your car-ownership costs, an e-bike might be a viable alternative worth looking into.
The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com
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