[Nfbmo] Blind Pension reduction question

[Bryan Schulz]

hi,

Plus why isn't anything ever done when someone lies on the yearly form, 
their spouse is sighted and they both have high five figure salaries?
Bryan Schulz

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carol Morgan via Nfbmo" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
To: "Eugene S Coulter" <escoulter at centurytel.net>; "NFB of Missouri Mailing 
List" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Blind Pension reduction question


> Why isn't anybody doing anything about the money that was taken out of the 
> Missouri blind pension fund
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 12, 2014, at 9:19 PM, Eugene S Coulter via Nfbmo 
>> <nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Members,
>> We, as the NFB, have known about this from the outset as, in this case 
>> the Department of Social Services was proactive in laying out the facts. 
>> It boils down to that  property tax collections have decreased and these 
>> taxes are the sole source of  the money to pay the benefits.
>> We were instrumental in changing the rule so that two things would 
>> happen. First, instead of only getting 10 days notice recipients are 
>> given 45 days notice so that we can better prepare for the reduction. 
>> Second, instead of taking the entire cut out of one or two checks that it 
>> would be spread out over a longer time period. For example had the cut 
>> been entirely taken out of June’s check that check would be reduced by 
>> about $200.00  and if they waited until April to begin the reduction it 
>> would be about $66.00 a month.
>> Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to stop the cuts as they 
>> are mandated in the state constitution and Missouri law so all we can do 
>> is try and ease the suffering the best we can do by spreading the cuts 
>> out as long as possible and giving enough notice so folks can have time 
>> to prepare for them.
>> This cut will almost certainly last through the June checks. July checks 
>> will be refigured both by the legislature and by the Department of Social 
>> Services. One thing is certain is that we will keep an eye on both the 
>> legislature and the budget workings of the Department of Social Services 
>> to make sure maximum benefits are paid as allowed by the constitution.
>> And to Answer your other question, yes everyone is having their benefits 
>> reduced.
>> Any other questions do not hesitate to ask. I am sending a carbon copy of 
>> this message to the Department so they know what we are telling our 
>> membership.
>> Eugene Coulter, Social Services Liaison
>> National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
>>
>> From: Cheryl Meister
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 6:28 PM
>> To: escoulter at centurytel.net
>> Cc: gwunder at earthlink.net
>> Subject: Blind Pension reduction question
>>
>> So…we got a letter in the mail today saying our Blind Pension benefits 
>> were being reduced by $33 a month for each of us.
>>
>> Question:
>>
>> Is everyone’s benefits being reduced and if so, is there anything we, as 
>> the NFB, doing or can do about this?
>>
>> I thought the benefits came out of a secured fund; was I wrong?
>>
>> Any info would be appreciated. If you’re doing any kind of a newsletter, 
>> please add my name to it, if you would, please.
>>
>> Thanks, Gene.
>>
>> Cheryl
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