Volume 17, No. 2, Spring/Summer 2009 |
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and What it Means for Delawareans with Disabilities
On February 17, 2009, amid great anticipation, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. After extensive negotiations in the House and Senate, the final Act included $787 billion in tax cuts and spending aimed at creating or saving jobs, helping our most vulnerable citizens, and improving our infrastructure and renewable energy industry. While many, if not all, of the provisions may positively impact people with disabilities, this article will highlight the provisions of the Act that most directly benefit Delawareans with disabilities. Except where otherwise noted, all dollar amounts represent the amount being spent nationally, which will then be divided among the states.
Provisions Targeted Specifically to Benefit People with Disabilities
- Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (children and adults) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) (adults only) will receive one-time payments of $250, except for recipients receiving Medicaid in facilities. You must have been eligible for SSI or SSDI in November 2008, December 2008, or January 2009 to receive the payment.
- States will receive money to provide vocational rehabilitation and training to people with disabilities ($500 million for adults, $1.2 billion for youth services).
- Centers for Independent Living will receive $200 million nationally to support initiatives aimed at moving people with disabilities into communities.
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) will receive $500 million for the specific purpose of reducing backlogs and delays in the claims and appeals process, and another $500 million to update SSA's computer center.
- $12 billion will go to the states to enhance the federal government's share of funding of special education and early intervention for young children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- $87 billion–a temporary increase in Medicaid matching funds–will enable states to enhance or maintain programs in the face of growing deficits. States will receive different amounts, with high unemployment states (not Delaware) receiving disproportionately more.
- Low-income individuals will receive assistance with paying Medicare Part B premiums (which cover doctor and outpatient care). Recipients of SSDI receive Medicare.
Provisions That Should Significantly Benefit Many People with Disabilities
- Businesses that hire disadvantaged workers–unemployed veterans and disconnected youth–will receive tax credits.
- The Transitional Medical Assistance program will be extended in order to provide temporary health coverage to families who become ineligible for Medicaid because of increased earnings.
- Veterans Affairs hospitals will receive significant infusions of capital.
- Community health centers will receive significant amounts of money.
- One billion dollars will support medical research to help prevent disease and specifically to fight cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease. Immunization programs are also included in this funding.
- The unemployed will have the potential for extended health care coverage under COBRA because of a 65% subsidy of their premiums.
- $19 billion is designated for computerizing health records.
Provisions That Will Help Some People with Disabilities
- Increases to federally funded programs–Unemployment Benefits, Food Stamp, welfare, WIC, Senior Nutrition, Food Banks, and School Lunch.
- Tax credits for first-time home buyers (up to $8,000), tax deductions for buyers of new cars in 2009, and an increase in the Child Tax Credit and earned income tax credit.
- Aid to states for employing more police officers will help people with disabilities since statistics show that people with disabilities are disproportionately victims of crime.
- More money to home ownership opportunity programs, homeless assistance programs, low-income housing, affordable housing, as well as public and subsidized housing programs will help people with disabilities. $100 million is being put towards lead paint removal in low-income housing. $5 billion to help weatherize low-income households and thus reduce energy costs.
- Students with disabilities will benefit from expansion of the Pell Grant program which provides college loans, and the allowance of computer-related expenses to be exempt under college savings plans in 2009 and 2010
While economists and political pundits debate whether the stimulus package is prudent and effective, a broad range of people with disabilities are likely to benefit from tax credits, increases to entitlement programs, increased job opportunities, improved educational services, enhanced housing assistance, and direct cash payments.
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Services for Aging Delawareans
The Hearing World by Ronald Gainsford