[NFBWATlk] FW: Monthly News & Updates

Sat Jul 5 19:40:41 UTC 2025

Thanks for this Becky. Appreciate this resource that might be good for many of us. 

/s/

Bennett Prows

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBWATlk <nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Becky Frankeberger via NFBWATlk
Sent: Saturday, July 5, 2025 12:36 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List' <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Becky Frankeberger <b.butterfly at comcast.net>
Subject: [NFBWATlk] FW: Monthly News & Updates

For Bennet and the lady who wanted to start her own business. This is a very good resource. 

Becky 

From: Northwest Access Fund <outreach at northwestaccessfund.ccsend.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 9:33 AM
To: b.butterfly at comcast.net
Subject: Monthly News & Updates

Social Security Updates, Upcoming Events, and More

  <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=1cd02e17-db50-4a2e-9bc5-903582bae056&a=1114968673522&c=fdb04510-40db-11e3-9b19-d4ae5292bb50&ch=ff213a30-40db-11e3-9bdb-d4ae5292bb50> 

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2fccf499301/967c8859-5637-42a9-bb89-b5da261f4a3a.png?rdr=true> 

Monthly News and Updates

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Read on to learn about updates at Social Security, upcoming events, our impact for the people we serve, and more!

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New Resource Library!

Our Financial Coaching team has developed resource guides to assist people in navigating common financial and benefits issues. They're now available on our website!

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65qO5PA4PtOKy9WrImm1We4XVdYJ3fALASkZXchqu2PjAbT3xUlLH6vUik-mH1QIxsrJaxpwz-wZh94SEifu-ed_Sbg-iLrZ4BLHqIl983dpdV0bo0t0IaoJlV3I8QCvcoRpH4_sR7SpVLCByo39iMLY=&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Visit Our Resource Library 

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Social Security Updates

Our Recommendations

Set up your  <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65gfYy2Tm-jFPQzAd3QndlL194ax30I445kdQxghdgZMQiNoOUoPpX1lzk0RHpcisIQBJRuSKTVsj6aYVGBYeeiLwpplm4-NSl82fWHZkyP1b&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> MySSA account and do as much online as you can

Be highly prepared for all interactions with Social Security

Make and keep copies of any documents shared with Social Security

Call your local office when possible to avoid longer wait times on the national hotline

If you plan to apply for SSI or SSDI, take one of our online classes to get help and resources

Be polite but persistent in your interactions with Social Security

Contact your elected officials to express your concerns about changes to Social Security. You can view our guide to contacting elected officials  <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZueeKKQka6aixIJMLL3REs4cS7PctmB1uq5yXUT8LztgYZY3KzkUff_kB4vTwippsdyM4VTRhYSEeTta6w9jerqJwTEGQ1TFv_W8SyZ8jzTFMWFvQ_lqSwn9HUJrjRnEIUcgkwBF9wbc-uwIj2o6tli3Gsq-tDYG1HhUBLCa9SnhxJ1HqYOMaDfXMdVnRQ_cuPn&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> here

This information is accurate as of this writing. Changes are happening quickly, and this information may become outdated. We will try to send updates as changes take effect.

Recent Updates

Annual Trustees Report:  <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65qO5PA4PtOKyGBnp0HaYOf_wtYhhXdFBHeqHMLNZegc0XY-KCPloXj3YsRR3k7D-C3GpA7mGg438jj9-_UqS6UuilpABIIQUX7Ffmf61j0luE2X6-TOVaU8=&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> The annual report on the Social Security trust fund was released on June 18th and had the following information on what will happen to Social Security benefits if Congress takes no action:

*     Retirement and Survivor's benefits will be decreased by 23%, starting in 2033.

*     Social Security Disability Insurance benefits will be able to be paid at 100% through 2099.

*     Medicare coverage for hospital insurance will be decreased by 11% starting in 2033.

Change in Reporting: Social Security no longer publicly reports processing times for benefits claims, the 1-800 number's current call wait time, and other customer service performance metrics.  <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65qO5PA4PtOKyyBoLkVWOoYo9C4AAEor07xw0_Wa4cMxLYy9wu8lPa5d8f6pE7HNTmso882d4OPBRWi1an-N4nq9NDiI8kN7rylB8TPzI8a4dvjRYZ5eSsdrCucv3Il7W9AG1Dfjn2ApXRja04gZKnFv6watQdBSz1NUb1ZOzhXfSvDdxu_1iQ64bPOy6GW8dng==&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> There are reports that processing times for benefits claims have substantially increased.

Push for Online Services: Social Security continues to encourage people to use online services and discourage people from using in-person and phone services, in a push to make Social Security a "digital first" agency. More calls are being handled by automation, and average wait time for an in person appointment is 34 days. That is a national average, and wait times will be longer in some areas.

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Need help with Social Security benefits? 

Get free support from a coach!

Have a benefits or financial question, and don't want to schedule a whole meeting about it? Send us your question and we'll respond within 3 business days.

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65h6w48HDENGAUoeuwo3GTKJo1Yklw4ki8wBij5ReXA9OBgZI6QccfarstB8eFkCeqKl3O9NV2XZW0tTJnDL2b3oP-bYRgq_3aJ3WkIa_QxdWEmVMT7MuuCnwpZL7gDqyQAE4vnjYS78ysCxPVt1NRQE=&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Ask a Coach 

Want to have a quick, confidential conversation with a coach, but don't need ongoing support?

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65qO5PA4PtOKyJsDlKL-_sJ1EErfMByaNJ30TxsPkoSHgxLsO6I1kc2LUgSWw7NbVMsJ9bRx0WTBLB7Fir4fehFnbJCZd_dhuDD91hscqv4ZskkYYUHlxTeeShouUHTMXW9NzMNtlQmOG&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Register for Office Hours 

Want to learn the basics of budgeting, credit building, managing debt, and/or applying for benefits?

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZueeddJVw1Fx6vbLWI-J9bV0nEob6SM8TkcF6rOMn-qvWu95gjZhD2K-1ChhMM68mnI9zd_hb3gdkEkEqTTOzTiIzaIztOyEK2M889hHqvZXSv2JKsheEIYraXCoILc2gzC&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Sign Up for a Class 

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Upcoming Events

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/2fccf499301/2376430c-270f-4b8b-bbae-6e3e48308b7a.jpg?rdr=true> 

Paths to Medicaid for People with Disabilities in Washington State

July 24th at 12:00 pm

Medicaid covers basic medical services and pays for home and community based services for people with disabilities…but how do you get Medicaid? This webinar will cover different ways that people with disabilities can access Medicaid in Washington State. Medicaid is state specific, and we will not cover information for any other states in this webinar. There will be a live Q&A.

CART closed captioning and ASL Interpretation will be provided. 

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65g82s9W8wnKrtWjnOkvkthTrXqs-HOPesyoGC245CZa_ZrpuT66iNf5OvJP4HmMLglnk_YxPLspLcmyps-qSAJk_4Xo4l8YnoVxM09TFGGlQYY80eCB444yBgKJ_hBDjvzmqyazBaWBSir87ID-hRD2fUIfxeZ3BWA==&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Register Here 

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Navigating SSI Applications for Children & Youth

July 2nd and 9th at 12:00 pm

Bring your questions! Monthly online classes are led by a Certified Benefits Planner and provide an overview of the SSI application process. Get tips and strategies for the application and redetermination process and leave with a clear idea of the next steps to take.

ASL interpretation available on request

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZueIGg51lQT-HROnTERKRHEFBwSdmewifLPJlCUOrPWvPLFpNS8rVSaVA0Y3KPHcsfjIsnkT3kM3hIata1DpL0zdi7p3A_M2htAK6satX9YJNwdwnHYQZdY8aoHi_dR-neh&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Register Here 

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Financial How-To's Classes

Multiple Dates

These online classes provide financial education designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities. Get tips and strategies on a variety of financial topics and leave with a clear idea of the next steps to take to help you reach your goals.

ASL interpretation available on request

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZueeddJVw1Fx6vbLWI-J9bV0nEob6SM8TkcF6rOMn-qvWu95gjZhD2K-1ChhMM68mnI9zd_hb3gdkEkEqTTOzTiIzaIztOyEK2M889hHqvZXSv4DU0Hoq2HDBwZSmFSQzaM&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Register Here 

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Our Impact This Year

Number of Coaching Sessions

Number of Coaching Clients

Number of Loans Dispersed

Total Amount Dispersed

1168

359

135

$1,762,835

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZueBv7Kq8brxV6cQ-XMnlyEv1yQo9F1gYdE7emSdcFZfgFsvJo-JYIeJ_2_OUfUZydhvGc4FFJ6Mi7E01AiNTYsbqg6OgACFgb_udsH_7xzbd8=&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Book a Coaching Session 

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZuevTFrrVdzBBatHQDal_G5OyRnu80ekWicyDK3JeiXlkXXRdShG_nJMJ8H-ghL-8B73zglMndQK6KsPldv1wISxB7MLTgnwY8G5ujDdWvOePKpO1V4dqJoPg==&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Apply for a Loan 

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Success Stories from June!

Small Business

S had a goal to turn their passion for skincare into a business, and wanted a more financial security and flexibility to accommodate their disability. Through the small business program, S was able to secure a loan to purchase equipment and supplies needed to sell products in person and to grow their online presence. S's business has grown, and they now have the ability to set their own hours to accommodate their disability.

Financial Coaching

M came to coaching after an accident left them unable to work and they were struggling to adapt to living on a reduced income. Through working with a coach, they were able to identify resources to reduce their expenses, understand how to budget their income, and learn strategies for managing debt. They were even able to successfully negotiate lower monthly payment plans with their creditors. M reports things are going well and they are excited for their future now that they’ve accomplished so many of their financial goals.

Loans

G was approved for a loan for an electric scooter to use as transportation. G has been working on their mental health through physical exercise and attending seminars and training. The scooter will open up new opportunities they can go to without having to rely on the public transportation system. 

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Feedback from the people we serve

"I was very impressed with the professionalism and eagerness of my loan officer to help me through this process...it was a pleasure to have her in my corner."

"Northwest Access Fund has been wonderful to me and without you, I don't think I would have been able to get the van for my wife. I would love to see more people find out about you and good work you do."

"My coach was very nice, professional, understanding, and informative. After talking with her, I have high hopes for my future."

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Check Out Our YouTube Channel!

Did you know?

Northwest Access Fund has short, accessible videos available on YouTube that explain complex benefits and financial topics.

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65tuJ_F1eCZueyo3DBD_LGKF9uXIfiqoZFhHyKIqbrFf8FiJtJwCltsSV2sMj_a-QzKqTSuvrKbDGylsoH7YJhT3L5R8Gnn-Uol-OVdC9oHcp1unTwN74rpEIdcHQ3S01CVCvf0kT7cFM&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Check out our channel!

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65gfYy2Tm-jFP-xDFm3QOjSg1rE1F3OQ_rPkeXBcvL5yVcc4ynhkSEBQ1h2d_aYuhiNnXjqwhAf9jdxdv-aSzO3PLmxKLsqLmH2uNYdH1PQGF&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> 

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Support Our Work

 <https://sht4umoab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XGz1Zh7sO_imGLNLb7nqUOKv_lNFGTpSJ7CXShXGQRgmNfp6EAU65qO5PA4PtOKyabzU-Zzsfr9fx_SdJOoFv2jhGypwxnBZwPlwkKqN4DMqVz2fieHw8v3BZCpST3NQc1rpmVF6aBEXHiCrCyaW2sNCYbdlSqn3J1_spM3QLWKYjKx0HuSu8pcsRaWTZio647RZzsb26s5_A-dGHoeCHw==&c=l4T27ee3dh4xvUeeIoiouAbYpTfC5UVT4D8UAAzSX51UzkIydqf2_A==&ch=DNpe997KP7xz3J7KdYAeBsOzf46fbOmuMlV2U7ZEv4WT1c1QJQKDsQ==> Donate Here 

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Northwest Access Fund | PO Box 55759 | Shoreline, WA 98155 US

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