[Nfbmo] Answering the concerns about BP Reduction letter

[Eugene S Coulter]

It was pointed out correctly that this is the first general letter to meet the obligation  of the 45 days notice; more specific letters will be issued I am guessing around the 1st of December.
As far as getting a letter stating the amount of your benefits is concerned all recipients should have received such a letter in June when benefits were increased stating your new amount. Also, the second letter you will shortly receive will have your individual amount. And one of the few things the phone center is supposed to be able to do is issue such letters (855-363-4636). By the way, this change is considered to be one you cannot appeal because of it’s nature.
As far as whether someone is doing something about the money allegedly taken from the fund that is an entirely separate issue and has been in the courts for several years and likely will be in the courts for a couple more years.
The concern about someone  being less than truthful to get the pension maybe misplaced. First of all, there is no income limit for the pension. Second, it does not matter how much the income a sighted spouse or parent makes as long as the blind person is not dependent on them for support which is what the form the sighted  parent or spouse is asked. So, a blind person   who has a five figure income likely is not dependent on their spouse for support. However, they still need to have total property, excluding their homestead, of less than $20,000.
If you do not get these letters you need to call customer service and make sure they have your correct address as the penalty for returned mail is a closed case.
These letters should not be news to anyone as there was an article in the Blind Missourian and they were discussed at the September board meeting and chapter members should have been told by their board representatives if they were unable to attend.
On another note, anyone who has not signed up for a Medicare Part D plan who is on BP and has Medicare needs to do so in the next couple of days as shortly MO HealthNet will begin calling people who have not done so.
Gene