Blog: News & Insights

On January 31, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) issued a opinion in Andrews v. Shinseki concerning whether the time period to use vocational rehabilitation benefits continues to run while a veteran is appealing the denial of such a claim.  The CAVC held the veteran’s “claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits is not moot based on the expiration...

The New Jersey Supreme Court will be setting up a guardianship monitoring program that will be fully implemented in all 21 counties by November 2013.  Volunteers will review yearly reports and flag questionable changes for the County Surrogates. “It’s wonderful that there will be the help and oversight of yearly reports that people need.  Guardians can be overwhelmend with the...

Veterans should be aware that the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offers free tax advice and tax return preparation for many low-income and elderly veterans.  More information about eligibility can be found at the IRS’s VITA Website. If you have questions or concerns about your eligibility for veterans benefits, please...

On January 24, 2013, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) issued a panel opinion in Clennan v. Shinseki, regarding the procedures involved in finding a veteran incompetent to handle the disbursement of benefits and the appoint a fiduciary. This case has a long, and possibly unnecessary, procedural history.  The important takeaway for a veteran, however, is if you receive a...

The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is now insisting that all of their clients establish eligibility for Medicaid and maintain that eligibility to receive DDD services.  This is a departure from previous policy whereby the Division provided many services to ineligible clients and either charged them for those services or maintained a lien on their estate.  DDD clients...

In August of last year, we blogged about two free mobile applications available for veterans to cope with the effects of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  That blog can be accessed at PTSD Mobile Apps. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new social networking application that will permit veterans to locate and communicate with other veterans.  The intent behind the...

If you are a caregiver or loved one of an individaul with dementia or Alzheimers, check out these excellent programs across New Jersey for support and education.  In addition to early-stage services, the New Jersey Alzheimers Association offer a range of programs including a 24/7 Helpline for information and support, free family care consultations, safety services, a respite reimbursement...

ON January 22, 2013, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced the Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013.  This bill would “reauthorize training and employment services created by the VOW to Hire Heroes Act.”  The press release for this bill can be accessed at Senator Bernie Sanders Press Release. It is common that I will come across government programs, not-for-profit...

While many of our clients come to us already with a loved one in a facility, others are grappling with the decision of which facility is right for them when they first see us.  There are certain things to look for and questions to ask to best evaluate which facility could be a good fit.  Contact us to discuss further–we have great relationships with many local facilities and can interact...

In the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting, Gov. Christie has been reviewing many proposals regarding mental health.  One of these is the Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) law that was passed in 2009 but didn’t receive the funding necessary to become fully implemented statewide.  IOC has been implemented in several counties including Union County.  The purpose of the law is to...