[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6392914,"mediaKeyId","2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4","parentId",2108739,"title","Council member reviews SSI and SSDI basics, eligibility and income rules","audioSeconds",557,"startMs",3753000,"endMs",4310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4&start=3753&end=4310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4/thumbnail_3753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392914/Tennessee/Council-member-reviews-SSI-and-SSDI-basics-eligibility-and-income-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392914-a7a7cbc032b1f6f5a82cfc891bd16477/orig.mp4?Expires=1775811764&Signature=c4zNlzJBNbaRqAGJ6QcaPqRUnw196wUj7qWKnn8aq2~2bLKRCRf51adkzqXHOBdbKRm2xdZyXRP9XMRiXDcqF4Wu~KW8Rrqw1UgJ~BqNDQS6Gm5-ZBbP2tLzR21tv8~sKAMBL8tJoPREZUL6cbxQWJog~rTMtDkA~qsAN2HF1MTKu3U9vR-8bxuRanpJcB2~ZlesBOMrzgDiAvyGOLuqBgD50HXh3uFtFJuegKNd8nJLmkec3mg2zbJbf9j-MPAGlwr1EZOnVeBWCVgP~5NpPcgw-SD638Ov6kTfuK94uf2P1FoKbOTd6pZ~JQbxydGrHgNLR3eyg722LO1KJTXmkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-01-09T16:27:32Z","article","A council member who identified himself as Kain provided a five-minute overview of the two main federal disability cash programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Kain described eligibility differences, how income and resources affect SSI payments, and general parts of SSDI including the quarters-of-coverage test and the Medicare waiting period.

Kain said SSDI is based on past work history and leads to Medicare after a 24-month waiting period, while SSI is need-based and provides immediate eligibility for Medicaid. He explained that SSI applies income and resource tests, noted that resources are generally limited to $2,000 for an individual ($3,000 for a couple), and described common exclusions such as a primary home and one vehicle.

Kain reviewed how Social Security counts income for SSI (including a $20 general exclusion and counting half of earned income after exclusions), described earned and unearned income, and listed examples of resources that may be counted. He summarized that if a claimant is denied at the initial level, appeals can extend timelines substantially — noting that a straightforward application might take five to six months for a decision, while appeals to hearings or the Appeals Council may add many months.

During follow-up comments, Spangler noted that trial work-period months (the period during which SSDI recipients can test working) need not be consecutive and provided 2025 thresholds: $1,160 for a trial work period month and $1,620 for SGA (substantial gainful activity) for non-blind individuals, $2,700 for blind individuals. The presenter and attendees emphasized that timelines and eligibility can vary by case and that working while receiving benefits should be discussed with Social Security or an attorney to avoid unintended loss of benefits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CODI 243 250108","oneSentenceSummary","A council member gave a brief overview of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), explaining major eligibility differences, resource limits and work incentives including trial work periods and substantial gainful activity thresholds.","taxTitle","Mayor's Council on Disability Issues, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",77468,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6392919,"Alzheimer's Tennessee outlines 24/7 helpline, Memory Cafe and outreach services to support caregivers",375,497000,872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4&start=497&end=872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4/thumbnail_497000.jpg","/articles/6392919/Tennessee/Alzheimers-Tennessee-outlines-247-helpline-Memory-Cafe-and-outreach-services-to-support-caregivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392919-1f05ae60fd2b16c3838c97c19730235e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775811764&Signature=QWctdBTMcnfL68527CBTbEpfB6T0DWaKGFNyEt4psoOk0rUN1LAEpot7Z3G9X994upWvzn-aAMQ43AEFupscJt0mjH1rTxGNXVPqDAWz0H4i14bVos-qpmwOfY6Hib4bLMjq88vHSSgLBjY2M7SgG0k~NU7pVavfG1Nzpjh9IdysDsH0mErCBSMVMq9gYGGCktWUp7RKGU84NVcdbpm~IFK0oP3PJKBkcSUjeS8xz--Hn3eZ1xToCVwy~FKGbZ3WeADT6jF5Lv9mWW0zDIhiR91svN8X7ychTQrGGTlnxhJiDN0tpx4vgBYZ9trQOrGqIU65JQ1q~x5RDtEuaJwzIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Linda Johnson, director of programs for Alzheimer's Tennessee, told the Mayor's Council on Disability Issues that Alzheimer's Tennessee was founded in 1983 and operates a statewide 24/7 helpline to assist families and caregivers.

\"We have a 24 hour, 7 day a week helpline,\" Johnson said. She said calls to the helpline generate an email to staff; if an after-hours call needs immediate attention they will return the call, otherwise staff follow up the next business day.

Johnson described programs and training the organization offers across the state, including six regional offices, an adult day program located in a downtown Knoxville church that has been operating since 2007 and is licensed for 16 participants, caregiver conferences, in-service trainings for nursing homes and assisted-living staff, and support-group options both virtual and in person. She said Alzheimer's Tennessee offers a Memory Cafe for people diagnosed in early stages who meet virtually two to three times a week and sometimes gather in person for outings.

Johnson said the organization helped advocate for Tennessee's Silver Alert law and offers free Silver Alert enrollment packets and staff assistance completing the paperwork when families lack photos or other materials. She also described a \"virtual dementia tour,\" a roughly 15- to 20-minute simulation program the organization provides to law enforcement, first responders and other agencies at no charge.

Council members thanked Johnson for participating while feeling under the weather and asked about coordination with local ADA training for law enforcement. Stephanie Cook, the city's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, asked whether Alzheimer's Tennessee could present to the city's training academy; Johnson said the organization provides the virtual dementia tour to law-enforcement training and would be willing to coordinate.

Johnson said the group's materials and a handout with the helpline number were provided to council members via email and chat.","Linda Johnson of Alzheimer's Tennessee described the organization's statewide helpline, adult day program and new Memory Cafe for people in early stages of dementia; she said the group helps with Silver Alert sign-ups and offers a virtual dementia tour for first responders at no charge.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6392925,"Tennessee Disability Coalition presents 2024 scorecard, outlines legislative priorities on caregiving, TennCare and housing",2270,1235000,3505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4&start=1235&end=3505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4/thumbnail_1235000.jpg","/articles/6392925/Tennessee/Tennessee-Disability-Coalition-presents-2024-scorecard-outlines-legislative-priorities-on-caregiving-TennCare-and-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392925-e44744f5121412be7b1689eaf0007858/orig.mp4?Expires=1775811764&Signature=IArxZy2Mjlo5xtHH-TRpXGwaJMMxpWpjdMPMLWWKGKn91u~yj~QQgVqLjDfARboAO5WuiXL-h-Fru7tbfZNe7iHQZ-nHaRF4rMSo3CVawvpY7sZ9k2nhDU~IsNLp~P05auokpBC5nblYgDJgNZqjWXrreHB09m~SKz69APfWj6-iD11ORd88WpfHi13gU6Z-H2UeYtkwvIL0V6~Fp0C0SyPkGM-ifgJwz5~i55OMiLhtquIukKZsroI~9ck8oWSP39Fo-N58JViJtRQshveeltiYMmghGo2ulVO~w9MwwSswfJsIfb2rvSAZUinp7rXqBe49ywSo0o0RAsmjrge~iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeff Strain, director of public policy for the Tennessee Disability Coalition, presented the coalition's 2024 Disability Scorecard and outlined policy priorities the group plans to pursue during the 2024 General Assembly session. Strain said the state retained an overall grade of D on the scorecard and said the coalition will advance a slate of bills addressing family caregiving, TennCare reporting, housing, education and other areas.

\"This year again the state gets a D,\" Strain said. He said the coalition proposed 21 policy changes over the past two years and the state adopted about 10 of them, but the overall experience for people with disabilities had not improved enough to raise the grade.

Strain highlighted two top priorities for the current session. First, a two-part paid family caregiving initiative: part one would bar TennCare from writing rules that prevent provider agencies from hiring family caregivers and would require a guidebook for agencies on how to employ family caregivers; part two, planned as a follow-up in a later session, would create upskilling and credentialing pathways so family caregivers can be paid at rates commensurate with more complex care skills.

Second, Strain described proposed changes to TennCare reporting that would shift evaluation of provider networks from supply-side measures (how many providers are enrolled within a given time or distance) to demand-side metrics: how many promised services are actually delivered, wait times for appointments and the lag between approval and receipt of services. Strain said the proposal is modeled on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' pending home-and-community-based-services access rule but would seek faster, state-level reporting and county- and demographic-level breakdowns.

Strain cited data and specific problems the coalition aims to address: AARP ranked Tennessee 51st in support for family caregivers, the coalition found that 20% of family caregivers report half of their days each month are poor mental-health days, and he said Tennessee ranks near the bottom in Medicaid spending per enrollee. He said that 44% of enrollees in Tennessee's ECF Choices waiver report waiting for services that have not arrived.

Other priorities Strain described included: reconvening a TennCare oversight committee; addressing a severe shortage of accessible and affordable housing for people with disabilities, including support for policies such as unbanning inclusionary zoning to incentivize accessible affordable units; an education proposal to create an academic and behavioral specialist teacher license to better support students with behavioral needs; drawing down waiting lists for the Choices program group 3 for older adults at risk of nursing-home level care; mental-health access improvements; changes to how school districts can bill TennCare for services; reforms to employment-support policies such as ending automatic job-coaching fading; and protections for students with disabilities in laws addressing threats and criminal offenses.

Strain said the coalition plans to run eight bills this year and encouraged council members to use the scorecard in advocacy, including Disability Day on the Hill on March 12. \"We would like to tell people about [these gaps] so the general assembly will see that to be a problem,\" he said.

Council and attendees asked questions and offered feedback. Stephanie Cook, the city's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, thanked the coalition and invited Strain to participate in ADA trainings and other city-level discussions.

The coalition's full 2024 scorecard and supporting documents were made available to council members via email and in the meeting chat.","Jeff Strain of the Tennessee Disability Coalition presented the organization's 2024 disability scorecard, saying the state kept a grade of D and outlining eight legislative priorities including a two-part paid family caregiving plan, demand-side reporting for TennCare provider networks, housing and education proposals.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6392930,"Mayor's Council on Disability Issues elects chair pro tem, approves three months of minutes; December deferred",4723,35000,4758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4&start=35&end=4758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2108739-0abcd3940e5f64676752a0fca65913d4/thumbnail_35000.jpg","/articles/6392930/Tennessee/Mayors-Council-on-Disability-Issues-elects-chair-pro-tem-approves-three-months-of-minutes-December-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392930-fff8bb7958fd20e96def66216cfed6b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775811764&Signature=RB~TDMPmnb7-oqDk166-nFaKuif6ctRauEfLwjlqKMmr79ANjqAHuhAZVx3eRJTqmRD4ePLSAmBTw5vJzR~V5TnV69IOX5brRKlZFH4wXYLMWjrVrCBz1PecqezhMbQBEONJzjeQyxdTI15dYGG6gjwZH995Dv76mJs76b89JBAVZBvQjYYNHKVlxSESad06u1uOoxcmGBHXKL5VD49pIkyjfSZ0NYIDpFZKkFbehlqCOOXImPqbBPU-kpCxs1pv-jjOhQ3J1n~EpAm8NXz6i6kRwasPY3bziriMZxOR8cY2aVDRRJRRjsF0CslDsNCuZugOIrENBugk-wJhiH2HVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maddie Matheson, a member of the Mayor's Council on Disability Issues, was elected chair pro tempore for the session after nominating herself and a voice vote. Spangler volunteered and was selected to serve as secretary for the meeting.

The council approved minutes for September, October and November by voice vote during the meeting, which had six of nine members present. Members agreed to defer approval of December's minutes until the next meeting with quorum.

Matheson called the roll to determine whether the council had a quorum; members present included Brooks, Kain, Eldridge, Maxwell, Matheson, Moll, Simmons, Spangler and Ziegler at various points in the roll call. After confirming six members present, the council proceeded to business, including the presentations later in the agenda.

The meeting was adjourned following a motion and second; members voted by voice to adjourn at 4:20 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Elect chair pro tempore: Motion (self-nomination by Maddie Matheson); second (not specified). Outcome: Matheson elected chair pro tempore for the meeting (motion passed by voice vote).

- Elect secretary for the meeting: Motion (Spangler volunteered); seconded by Eldridge. Outcome: Spangler appointed secretary for the meeting (motion passed by voice vote).

- Approve September minutes: Motion and second recorded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Approve October minutes: Motion and second recorded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Approve November minutes: Motion and second recorded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Defer December minutes: Noted that Brooks (one of only two who could move/second December minutes) was absent; November/December approval deferred to the next meeting with quorum.

- Adjourn: Motion moved by Eldridge and seconded by Spangler; outcome: adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Meeting context: The meeting convened at 3:00 p.m. and confirmed a quorum of six of nine members. The roll call and officer elections occurred at the start; the session then moved to scheduled presentations and committee reports before adjournment.","At a virtual meeting called to order at 3:00 p.m., council members elected a chair pro tempore and secretary for the session and approved minutes for September, October and November; December minutes were deferred until the next meeting with quorum.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council member reviews SSI and SSDI basics, eligibility and income rules

Alzheimer's Tennessee outlines 24/7 helpline, Memory Cafe and outreach services to support caregivers

Tennessee Disability Coalition presents 2024 scorecard, outlines legislative priorities on caregiving, TennCare and housing

Mayor's Council on Disability Issues elects chair pro tem, approves three months of minutes; December deferred