Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2024 | Blog, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
Most decisions have a 60-day deadline to appeal. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. You should read the letter you received to find out the deadline for your appeal. There are several different kinds of appeals in Social Security cases. If your initial...
Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2024 | Blog, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
This is called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Social Security sent your claim to a state office called Disability Determination Services, which is a division of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. They will decide if you are still disabled...
Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2024 | Blog, COVID-19, Government Benefits, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
What are stimulus checks? In 2020 and 2021, the federal government sent people 3 separate Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), or “stimulus checks.” Most people got their EIPs based on information in their tax returns for 2019 and earlier. The first 2 stimulus checks were...
Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2024 | Blog, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
You have two choices. You can ask Social Security to waive the debt. To qualify for a waiver, you have to show that the overpayment was not your fault and that you need the income and resources you have to pay your ordinary living expenses. You can request a waiver or...
Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2024 | Blog, Veterans
The VA accepts benefit applications by phone at 1-800-827-1000. You can also apply by visiting the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs or by applying online at these websites: You can find more information about how to apply for VA Health Benefits at: How to...
Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified May 6, 2025 | Blog, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
This is called an “overpayment.” As of April 25, 2025, Social Security Retirement and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients will be subject to an automatic 50% recovery rate from their monthly benefit payment. This means that unless you take one of...
Published Oct 22, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2024 | Blog, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
I don’t get Social Security benefits. How do I apply for Disability Benefits, SSI, Retirement, or Survivors Benefits? You can apply in person, by phone, or online. To apply by phone for any of these programs, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to request an appointment. But,...
Published Oct 15, 2024 | News, Special Projects
SLLS Wants to Hear from You! Use these super-fast legal needs surveys to list the biggest legal issues facing the community in 2024. You can do one survey, more than one survey, or all of them. There is a big-picture general survey in English and in Spanish. Each of...
Published Oct 15, 2024 | Modified Oct 29, 2025 | Blog, Government Benefits for Income, Food and Health Insurance
When Can I Apply? Anyone can sign up during the yearly open enrollment period, which this year will be from November 1 to January 15. If you miss the open enrollment period, there are certain circumstances that may allow you to sign up anyway. Anyone can sign up for...
Published Oct 15, 2024 | Blog, Debt Collection, Consumer Protection, and Taxes
When you finance a car purchase either new or used, you sign a contract that has rules as to what you must do while you are paying on the loan. As part of this agreement, you agree that if you don’t make your payments the lender can take the car back. This process is...
Published Oct 8, 2024 | Blog, Disaster Survivors, Wills and Successions
Was the insurance on your Home under the name of someone who died? What happens when someone lives in property that belonged to their parent(s) or grandparent(s) or other relative and a succession was never opened? When the insurance check arrives, it is made out to...
Published Oct 8, 2024 | Blog, Disaster Survivors
If I get FEMA assistance, can I get a SBA Loan? Yes, you can get FEMA assistance and an SBA Loan or get one. Do I need to get an SBA Loan to get FEMA? No, you can get FEMA assistance without applying for a SBA Loan. Can Restore LA help if I don’t get enough money from... 
