News
What to Expect During a Continuing Disability Review
Posted on November 24, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Disability Benefits.
Few things are certain in life, but if you receive SSI or SSDI benefits, you will certainly have a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) at some point. What is a Continuing Disability Review? The Social Security Administration (SSA) is required to periodically check to make sure beneficiaries still have a disabling condition and are being paidREAD MORE >
Northwest Access Fund’s November Impact
Independence is priceless. We make it affordable. Read on to see how we’re doing it. Our Impact This Fiscal Year (Our Fiscal Year Started October 1) Number of Coaching Sessions: 206 Number of Coaching Clients: 108 Number of Loans Dispersed: 14 Total Amount Dispersed: $171,164 Client Story from our Coaching Program: D came toREAD MORE >
Medicare Open Enrollment
Posted on November 10, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Disability Benefits, News.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for people with disabilities who have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least two years. Each year, Medicare has an open enrollment period that runs from October 15 to December 7 (right now!). During this time, people who receive MedicareREAD MORE >
November Classes & Events
Posted on November 3, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Disability Benefits, Personal Finance, Webinar.
Check out what we’ve got going on in November! November 4th at 12:00 PST – How to Make a Budget & Save Learn the basics of budgeting and saving, including strategies to save without impacting asset restricted benefits. Leave knowing how to make a budget, what to do when you have limited resources, and withREAD MORE >
Are You Getting a Raise? 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustments Have Been Announced!
Posted on October 29, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Disability Benefits, News.
Every year, Social Security and some states and cities adjust how much they pay based on cost-of-living increases. Social Security calls this COLA (cost-of-living adjustment). The increase amount is based on a formula using information shared by the Consumer Price Index. Social Security For SSI recipients: The maximum amount of SSI an individual canREAD MORE >
Comparing Banks vs. Credit Unions
Posted on October 22, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Personal Finance.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a bank and a credit union? Is keeping your money in a bank or credit union better? Is one safer than the other? Keep reading to learn more. Banks and credit unions both offer customers a place to keep their money. They provide similar services likeREAD MORE >
SNAP Benefits Will Be Impacted by the Government Shutdown
The federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025 continues because Congress has not yet passed a new budget bill to fund the government. Without federal funds to support the program, SNAP benefits (called Basic Food in Washington) will be impacted in November. According to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) inREAD MORE >
Northwest Access Fund’s October Impact
Independence is priceless. We make it affordable. Read on to see how we’re doing it. Our Impact This Year Number of Coaching Sessions: 1835 Number of Coaching Clients: 492 Number of Loans Dispersed: 171 Total Amount Dispersed: $2,319,572 Client Story from our Loan Program: A client wanted to build a dedicated covered hammock spaceREAD MORE >
Using a My Social Security Account
Posted on October 8, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Disability Benefits.
What is a my Social Security Account? A my Social Security, or mySSA, account is a free online account that allows users to access the Social Security Administration’s online services 24/7. As Social Security moves toward its stated goal of being a “digital-first, technology-driven organization,” using Social Security’s online services when possible is the bestREAD MORE >
The Government Shut Down. Will I Still Get My Disability Benefits?
Posted on October 1, 2025 by Bea Bany in Blog, Disability Benefits, Uncategorized.
The U.S. government is currently shut down because Congress has not passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government. We don’t know how long the shutdown will last. When the federal government is shut down, some agencies stop or reduce their work. The Social Security Administration will reduce some of their work during this shutdown.READ MORE >