Many residents in Alaska—and across the United States—can expect substantial financial support this summer, thanks to two separate programs: the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) and IRS-issued tax refunds. Combined, these payments could bring over $4,700 in relief to eligible households. As inflation and rising costs continue to burden Americans, these two programs offer timely … Read more
Starting July 1, 2025, Virginia is enacting stricter traffic laws targeting underage, unlicensed drivers and the adults who allow them behind the wheel. Prompted by a tragic accident involving a teen driver, the new law imposes serious penalties, including fines up to $2,500 and even felony charges, for both the minor and any adult who … Read more
Beginning April 14, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will implement a major policy change regarding identity verification procedures. This update will affect how Americans access key services like applying for benefits or updating direct deposit information. Under the new rule, over-the-phone identity verification will no longer be allowed for certain services. While aimed at … Read more
Across Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, attention-grabbing headlines are claiming that the IRS will issue a $16,728 payment to some Americans in July 2025. With inflation still pinching pockets, it’s no surprise these posts have caught fire. But before you plan how to spend that money, here’s the reality: there is no surprise IRS payment of … Read more
Starting in 2025, individuals born in 1959 will have to wait until they are 66 years and 10 months to claim full Social Security retirement benefits. While it may appear to be a small adjustment, the change plays a major role in determining how much monthly income retirees will receive. This shift is part of … Read more
Social Security survivor benefits are designed to provide ongoing monthly financial assistance to the families of workers who have died. These benefits support a variety of dependents, including widows, widowers, children, and in some cases, even the parents of the deceased. The amount you receive depends on your relationship to the deceased, their work history, … Read more
Apart from standard retirement and SSDI benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) also provides survivor benefits to eligible Americans. These payments are designed to support families who have lost a loved one who paid into the Social Security system. Beneficiaries can include widows, children, and even parents, depending on specific eligibility rules. Let’s break down … Read more
Roughly 7 million Americans currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but not all beneficiaries are paid on the same date each month. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a staggered schedule to distribute payments on four separate days throughout July 2025. While some payments were already disbursed, millions of recipients are still … Read more
Martha, a retired software engineer from Austin, opened her January 2025 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) statement to find a $4,018 deposit — a $98 increase from the previous year. That places her near the maximum SSDI benefit allowed under current law. But this impressive payment didn’t happen by chance. It reflects a lifetime of … Read more
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially announced an important update to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Qualified households can now receive up to $1,751 in monthly food assistance, marking the highest SNAP benefit ever offered. This increase is part of the federal government’s ongoing response to rising food prices and living costs … Read more