Senior Health Information Network

Here are some key things to know about this deduction:

Effective 2025 through 2028, individuals age 65 and older may claim an additional $6,000 deduction.
This is in addition to the standard deduction for seniors available under existing law.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/check-your-eligibility-for-the-new-enhanced-deduction-for-seniors

Stop playing politics with the most vulnerable. Food stamp benefits are not a bargaining chip. Seniors, disabled individuals, low-income families, and children rely on these resources to survive. When lawmakers treat essential nutrition as a budget game, they are choosing hunger over humanity. Policy decisions should protect the people who need the most support—not punish them.
STOP PLAYING WITH THE LIVES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE

Understanding a Government Shutdown- Is It Really Necessary?

A government shutdown happens when Congress fails to pass funding bills or a temporary measure to keep the government operating.

It’s not about the government running out of money — it’s about political gridlock over how that money should be spent.

During a shutdown, “non-essential” federal operations stop, while “essential” services like national security, air traffic control, and some healthcare functions continue — often without pay for workers until funding is restored.

💰 Who Gets Hurt the Most

Federal employees: Nearly 2 million workers face furloughs or are forced to work without pay. Many live paycheck to paycheck.

Contract workers — including janitors, cafeteria staff, and maintenance workers — often never receive back pay.

Low-income families could face delays in SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and childcare funding.

Small businesses dependent on federal contracts or customers from government workers lose income and may not recover.

Veterans, seniors, and students may experience disruptions in benefits, loans, and services.

⚠️ Economic Impact

Every shutdown costs billions: the 2018–2019 shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion, including $3 billion permanently lost according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Consumer confidence drops, markets react negatively, and delayed paychecks ripple through communities and local economies.

Even after reopening, recovery takes weeks as agencies catch up on backlogs and delayed projects.

🧩 Is It Really Necessary?

Shutdowns are not a budget solution — they’re a political weapon.

Historically, shutdowns have failed to achieve the demands of the side forcing them.

Instead of solving disagreements, shutdowns undermine trust in government and harm public confidence.

There are bipartisan tools like continuing resolutions and budget negotiations that can prevent shutdowns without harming millions.

💬 Key Message

“A government shutdown doesn’t punish politicians — it punishes workers, families, and the economy. It’s not leadership; it’s leverage at the people’s expense.”

✅ Call to Action

Urge elected officials to prioritize passing budgets on time.

Support measures that protect federal workers from being used as bargaining chips.

Stay informed about how shutdowns affect local services, benefits,

Caregiver Nation Summit 2024
Washington, DC
Nov 19 – 21, 2024
Recognition of America's 53 million caregivers - and the issues impacting them - has never been greater. While progress has been made, it's not enough to meet the growing needs of family caregivers across the nation. Now is the time for unified action to make caregiving more sustainable, equitable, and dignified. Together we will:

Educate and Advocate: Hear from the nation's leading voices on care and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for change with policymakers.
Raise Visability: Shine a spotlight on the often-invisable work of family caregivers and the value of their contributions to our healthcare system, economy, and communities.
Build Community: Foster collaboration and partnerships to drive action on our National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.
The Caregiver Nation Summit is more than a conference; it's a catalyst for change on our country's first ever National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. It's a platform for caregivers, advocates, policymakers, and movement leaders to come together to shape the future of care in our nation's capital.