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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