NJ DDS Reminds SSI Recipients of Irregular Payments Through 2024

In its most recent newsletter, the N.J. Division of Disability Services (NJ DDS) reminded recipients of Social Security payments that the Social Security Administration's schedule of payments for the remainder of the year may appear irregular compared to the first half of the year.

The SSI payment usually occurs on the first weekday of the month. However, multiple irregular payments are scheduled for the remainder of this year. Recipients may receive two payments or none in certain months per the Social Security Administration’s Schedule of Benefit Payments for 2024.

• 2 payments in May (May 1 and 31)
• NO payment in June;
• 1 payment on July 1;
• 2 payments in August
• (August 1 and 30);
• NO payment in September;
• 1 payment on October 1;
• 2 payments in November (November 1 and 29); and
• NO payment in December

The NJ DDS advises that SSI recipients should therefore make sure that their resources will remain under $2,000 in June, September, and December.

Resources

ACL Reminds Advocates of the Link Center - Bridging Supports for People with I/DD and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

At least one-third of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) also have a mental health disability. However, mental health systems are often not equipped to accommodate people who also have other disabilities, particularly those with developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. As a result, many are unable to get the care and support they need.

Significant provider capacity shortages can lead to long stays or boarding in inappropriate settings like hospital emergency departments and psychiatric hospitals. In addition, people with co-occurring I/DD and mental health conditions often struggle to the get the treatment and services they need because of siloed services systems. Some address only mental health needs. Others address only needs related to the person’s other disabilities — and often only a portion of those. Finding all of the access points and engaging with each one individually to cobble together the holistic services a person needs can be challenging under the best of circumstances. For a person experiencing a mental health crisis, it can be an insurmountable barrier to care.

That is why ACL created The Link Center. Led by four national organizations representing directors of the state agencies that provide I/DD, mental/behavioral health, and brain injury services, The Link Center focuses on building partnerships and facilitating information-sharing across systems.

Please remind yourself of all of the strategies and resources offered by The Link Center by taking a look at their website today.

Disproportionality in Special Education Fueled by Implicit Bias

IEPs have benefited many students. But along the way, something surfaced: Implicit bias. Consequently, many students of color and multi-language learners have been disproportionately misidentified and misplaced, impacting the types of services students needed or did not need. Check out this article from the National Education Association with tips, resources, and support to identify and place students of color with disabilities accurately and without bias.