Schumer Pushes One-Time Social Security Payment
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer yesterday announced a new push and urged his colleagues to pass the Seniors and Veteran Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act, which would provide a one-time payment of $581 to Social Security recipients—including New York seniors and individuals with disabilities– who were denied a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in 2016.
Even though living expenses continue to increase, Schumer said that New Yorkers recently learned that they would only be receiving a $5 monthly COLA increase—or 0.3%–for 2017. Schumer said that both sides of the aisle need to work to improve the too low Social Security COLA.
“There is nothing worse than delivering a flat Social Security COLA to our seniors,” said Schumer. “Millions of New York City seniors, veterans, and individuals who are disabled, need and deserve a fairer amount of money in their Social Security checks to help pay for the ever-increasing cost of rent, medicine and groceries.”
Schumer noted after a year with no cost-of-living increase, Social Security recipients will only receive an additional $5 each month next year, a paltry amount with which one can only do so much.
“New Yorkers and all the millions around the country who depend on Social Security need more than a mere $5 increase in order to keep up with living expenses. Congress needs to explore options to make Social Security benefits reflect current spending patterns. In the meantime, too many are in a vulnerable position and that’s why I am pressing my colleagues to support the SAVE Benefits Act, which would provide a one-time $581 payment to Social Security recipients to help make up for their lost dollars,” he said.
According to the Social Security Administration’s Master Beneficiary Record, there were a total of 3,513,125 Social Security beneficiaries in the state in 2015. This includes about 1,194,570 Social Security beneficiaries in the city, including 553,940 senior citizens.
Williams Lauds Cumo Signature Of Airbnb Bill
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Manhattan Council Member Helen Rosenthal today lauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing the Airbnb bill on Friday that would fine hosts who advertise illegal short-term rentals up to $7,500.
Under the legislation, people are allowed to rent out a room in their house or apartment as long as they are also staying there. Hours after Cuomo signed a bill, Airbnb responded with a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court.
“We commend Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on signing this piece of legislation. Airbnb consistently undermines the City’s efforts to preserve affordable housing, and regularly attempts to thwart regulations put in place to protect New York City residents. Despite claims to self-regulate and crack down on illegal listings, Airbnb continues to be complacent in the illegal practices of over half of their hosts,” the two lawmakers said.
“With this new law — which does not apply to1 and 2 family homes or apartments where the tenant is living in — anyone renting out their entire apartment on Airbnb for fewer than 30 days will face a significant fine. We must stop people from illegally renting out their apartment on Airbnb and this new law will go a long way in realizing that outcome.”
Bipartisan Attendance Honors Mega’s Contributions
City Council Member Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights), Republican District Leader and Assembly Candidate of the 46 Assembly District, Lucretia Regina-Potter, Republican District Leader of the 49 Assembly District, Stephen Maresca and former Republican Assemblyman Arnaldo A. Ferraro were among those that turned out Saturday for the 80th Street and 10th Avenue street co-naming of the late Senator Christopher J. Mega.
Mega was a longtime respected lawmaker and judge.
The tone of the morning was set by the beautiful soprano voice singing our National Anthem by the very talented Diana Marie Paunetto. Madeline Mega, his wife and their children and grandchildren were visibly moved by the many public officials attending the ceremony, and kind words that speaker after speaker said about Christopher Mega.
Lander Opens Bengali Speaking Office
Friday afternoon following jummah prayers at the mosques in Kensington, Council Member Brad Lander announced the start of new office hours for Bengali speakers in Kensington, and introduced members to his new Bengali-speaking Community Liaison, Ruby Abdul.
“I’m very excited to expand my office’s availability to serve as a resource for the Bangladeshi community in Kensington and to finally offer Bengali assistance,” said Lander. “The Bangladeshi community is an essential part of the broader community in Kensington, but one with its own particular needs. I’m excited to have Ruby work together with so many of Kensington’s leaders to serve this incredibly special neighborhood as best we can.”
The office hours will serve as a time for Kensington residents to get assistance with a wide array of government services including:
- help signing up for SNAP benefits,
- Medicaid/Medicare issues,
- following up 311 complaints with city agencies,
- guidance and advice on tenant rights and eviction prevention
- connecting with organizations for specialized services:
The office is open from 3-5 p.m., on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 486 McDonald Avenue (Saboor Waizun Medical PC).
Jaime Williams Awards Summer Reading Students
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerristen Beach0 last week awarded more than 120 students with certificates of Achievement at P.S. 312, 7103 Avenue T for successfully completing the 2016 Assembly Summer Reading Challenge.
To the delight of the students, parents, educators and administrators the Assembly Woman presided over a ceremony in which the importance of summer reading was clearly advocated and emphasized. All of the Students left with a further appreciation of literature and brandished a smile in conjunction with their certificates.
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP Obtain $2.43 Million Verdict (Sponsored)
WRSH attorneys Robert Bellinson and Joseph Stoduto obtained a verdict in the amount of $2.43 million on behalf of a twenty-five year old nursing student from the Bronx.
The woman was driving her vehicle along a local roadway in the Bronx when a New York City Transit Authority bus struck her vehicle, causing a serious collision. As a result of the accident, the client suffered injuries to her lower back requiring surgery. During the course of the litigation, Joseph won a decision from the Court that the defendants were 100% responsible for the collision, despite the defendants contention that they did nothing wrong.
The defendants took the position that the client’s damages were minimal and they refused to make a settlement offer. Robert conducted a full and complete jury trial on the issue of damages, which was fiercely contested by the defendants and by the doctors which they had hired to examine our client and testify in Court against us.
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury awarded the client the total sum of $2,43 million for her damages.
The law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP is one of the city’s top accident and medical malpractice firms in the city and is there to represent you. To get a free consultation click Here.
