Ron Hart: SNAP Benefits — When Reality Checks Frequently Fail
During a recent vote, Republicans supported reopening the government, while Democrats opposed the measure. As a result, benefits for SNAP, or food stamps—as they’re sometimes known—will be halved. It seems that Trump, perhaps inadvertently, has pushed us toward addressing some long-standing issues in our food assistance programs. It’s crucial to understand why around 42 million […]
Inside the first ‘stress-free zone’ in NYC, where new mothers receive complimentary massages and mental health checks
The city has established “stress-free zones” in economically disadvantaged areas of Brooklyn, aimed at supporting new parents with services like free massages and mental health screenings, in response to rising maternal mortality rates. Officials announced that a testing facility in Brownsville, part of the Department of Health’s Neighborhood Health Activity Center, opened in September. This […]
Retired federal employees face long delays in receiving pension checks
This year, there’s been a notable spike in federal employee retirements, primarily influenced by policies from the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to reduce spending. The Office of Personnel Management is currently grappling with a backlog of severance claims, and the processing times are stretching significantly. For instance, in September, […]
Failures in background checks revealed as two police officers found to be in the US unlawfully
Concern Raised Over Police Officers’ Immigration Status in Illinois In a troubling revelation, a police officer from the Chicago suburbs was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), further exposing flaws within the nation’s immigration vetting system. This incident marks the second time in just three months that an armed officer has been found to […]
Wisconsin’s DOJ requests a pause following a judge’s ruling on U.S. citizenship checks for voter registrations
Wisconsin Judge Rules on Voter Citizenship Verification A judge in Wisconsin has mandated that elections officials must verify the U.S. citizenship of all registered voters and new registrants by February 2026. The state’s Justice Department is seeking a stay on this order, citing that it would necessitate major changes to the voter registration system and […]
IRS begins reducing paper refund checks following Trump directive: Important details to understand
The IRS has started to gradually eliminate paper refund checks, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Beginning in March, the agency will mainly suspend paper refund checks and instead promote digital methods, such as direct deposits. This move to eliminate paper refund checks marks the first step towards a […]
Checks up to $400 are being distributed to millions of New Yorkers beginning today—find out if you qualify.
Checks on the Way to New Yorkers Starting Friday, millions of New Yorkers began receiving free checks, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. These “inflation rebate” checks, amounting up to $400, are set to reach approximately 8.2 million eligible households in the state within the next couple of months. Hochul, who is up for reelection […]
Farewell to paper checks: Social Security payments will switch to electronic form starting next week.
Transition to Electronic Payments by Social Security Administration The Social Security Administration (SSA) has decided to discontinue sending paper checks to retirees after 85 years, citing a desire to modernize its services and enhance efficiency. Beginning on September 30th, nearly 70 million beneficiaries will no longer receive paper checks. Instead, payments will be made through […]
The IRS is discontinuing paper tax refund checks. Here’s how it may impact you.
The IRS Has Eliminated Paper Refund Checks The IRS announced today that paper tax refund checks will no longer be issued for individual taxpayers, starting this month. Instead, if you previously received your tax refund via a paper check, you will now receive it electronically. This shift will also affect payments to the IRS. You’re […]
Social Security paper checks will stop on September 30: Steps to get ready for the transition
With the deadline approaching for discontinuing paper checks for Social Security payments, seniors on Long Island and other federal benefit recipients need to prepare for a shift to electronic payments. Starting September 30th, the federal government will stop issuing paper checks to Americans receiving Social Security payments, transitioning instead to direct deposit. This change was […]