VOTE!

The right to vote is an important civil right in a democracy as well as a civil responsibility, and yet many persons do not vote or do not know whether they are eligible to vote.  For both federal and state elections, the right to vote is controlled by the law of the state in which you live

Minnesota's voter registration requirements.  To be eligible to vote in Minnesota, you must be 18 years of age or older, be a citizen of the United States, and be a resident of Minnesota for 20 days immediately prior to the election.

Registering to vote

Registration is available the year-round in Minnesota. You can also register at your polling place on election day. 

You will need one of the following to verify your residence:

• a current, valid Minnesota driver's license, learner's permit or identification card (or receipt for a new one) containing your address in the precinct 
• a "Notice of Late Registration" card mailed to you by your county auditor (if you turned in a registration card late) 
• someone who is registered in the precinct where you live to vouch for your residence
• valid registration at another address in the same precinct 
• US passport
• US military identification card
• student identification card that includes your name and photo
• Minnesota driver's license (that may not be current or valid)
• an original bill for water, sewer, gas, electric, phone, solid waste or cable television services that includes your name and current address in the precinct and has a due date within 30 days of election day 

Where do I go to register?

You can register to vote at the polls on election day.  Voter registration forms are available at county courthouses, city halls and other public buildings throughout the state, in many telephone books, in your state tax booklet (in even-numbered years) or by downloading a copy from the state elections website. http://www.sos.state.mn.us/election
 
 

 

"Ticket to Work" 
program to begin in Minnesota in 2003

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has launched a new program designed to help people with disabilities go to work. 

Social Security disability and SSI disability beneficiaries will receive a Ticket that may be used to obtain vocational rehabilitation, job training, and other support services.  Initially, 13 states will participate in the Ticket Program, which will be in operation nationwide by January of 2004.

Individuals may take their Ticket to any of the employment service providers who offer services in their communities. These providers are called Employment Networks.  A list of participating networks can be found at,  www.ssa.gov/work, by clicking on service providers. 

Here’s how the program works: 

A Ticket holder gives the Ticket to an Employment Network.  The network and the Ticket holder together design an individual employment plan outlining the services to be provided to assist the beneficiary in reaching his or her employment goal.

The Ticket Program is voluntary.  Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who receive a Ticket are not required to work, but may choose to use their Ticket to attempt to go to work.  Likewise, Employment Networks are not required to accept Tickets.

The Ticket Program is designed to provide people with disabilities with more choices and expanded opportunities to help them go to work.  Individuals will receive services from an Employment Network for free.  SSA will pay the Employment Networks for successfully helping a beneficiary go to work.  Employment Networks may choose to be paid based solely on helping an individual achieve self-sufficiency, or they may choose to receive payments when beneficiaries achieve different milestones during their attempt to go to work. 

The Ticket Program is the cornerstone of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in December 1999.  Other provisions of the law are already in place to help support people with disabilities as they go to work.  These provisions include expanded health care coverage.

Many of the barriers that would force people to choose between health care coverage and work have been removed by the legislation.  Social Security disability beneficiaries are eligible for Medicare, the Federal health insurance plan.  Effective in October 2000, most Social Security disability beneficiaries are protected by Medicare for up to eight years and six months after they go to work. Medicare coverage continues even if an individual no longer receives a monetary benefit from Social Security.   Most SSI beneficiaries are eligible for Medicaid, which is a state health benefit.  These individuals should contact the state Medicaid office in their area for more information.  

The final phase of the Ticket Program is scheduled for 2003 in Alabama, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, as well as in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Those who have questions about the Ticket Program should call Maximus, Inc.  Maximus, the organization selected by SSA to administer the Ticket Program, may be contacted toll-free at 
1-866-968-7842 (1-866-YOURTICKET). 
1-866-833-2967 (1-866- TDD2WORK) -- TDD/TTY. 
www.yourtickettowork.com -- Maximus’ website
 
 

Senior Companion Program

WHAT IS IT?

The Senior Companion Program is a stipend volunteer program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota where men and women, age 60 and over, who meet income guidelines, assist other seniors who have special needs on a one-to-one regular basis.

WHAT SERVICES ARE OFFERED UNDER THE PROGRAM?

• Assistance with groceries or other shopping
• Help with filling out forms
• Writing letters
• Other errands, such as Dr. appointments
• Meal planning
• Light exercising
• Hobbies
• Talking and listening
• Offering friendship and support

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

If you feel this service would fit your needs, or are interested in becoming a Senior Companion, please call us and set up a meeting to discuss the options! 

Duluth Branch Office (218) 726-4896
 
 

 

Mental Health Corner

Childhood Anxiety Disorders are more than simple fears.  If you have young people in your life please be more aware of this issue as school begins again.  If fear keeps a child from doing things that are normally part of their life—participating in school, playing, having friends, sleeping away from parents—then it is time to get help.  A report published in 2000 stated that 13% of children ages 9-17 have symptoms of an anxiety disorder, which can lead to depression and substance abuse.  This illness is often overlooked due to beliefs in shyness, introversion and/or simple fears that kids will ‘outgrow’.  Adults need to be aware of family histories of anxiety disorders and symptoms of these disorders.

Some symptoms to look for:

• Refusal to participate in ANY activities, friends or school.
• Crying or complaining about leaving home.
• Complaining of aches and pains before school or other social activity.
• School staff observing ‘illness’ on a daily or weekly basis.
• Isolating from family and friends daily.
• Refusal to talk about behaviors.

Anxiety disorders manifest themselves differently with each individual. Know your child’s ‘normal’ behaviors.  Get to know them as people through talking, playing and observing them with their friends.

The mental health program would like your feedback: 

Please call Alicia (218-262-6675) if you are interested in an 8 week educational/informational group or families who live with or are assisting a family member who has a mental illness.  And also call if you are interested in a 6-8 week relationship group to learn better ways of communicating with yourself and others in the area of intimate relationships.

 
 
The Rolling Rangers Hockey Team

The first season for the electric wheelchair power hockey team, the “Hibbing Rolling Rangers” has been very successful.  With two more games to play left in the season, it has been a roller coaster of a ride.  From what started as a simple idea for some kind of recreational fun has expanded a long ways. In November 2001, the official first practice for the Rolling Rangers was held in a lobby of an apartment complex.  The first game of the season was played in May 2002, at the Courage Center gym in Golden Valley MN.  Even though we were defeated in both games, it was the idea that our team was there playing and having fun.  Considering we had to travel many miles to play the game.  None of the games we played were even on home ground.

Then in July 2002, we got to practice in an indoor youth recreation center that provided more room to let us prepare for a game.  Because of this we have improved and managed to get a win and tie another game.  Also we picked up more players since the first game.  It contributed to allowing other players to show their talents and skills and the team could be more dynamic.  The rewarding thing about it was we all worked together and showed that we were no longer just the new team.  We still have two more games left in the season and are working on winning the last games.

Next season the plan hopefully will be to have a few games closer to Hibbing, and maybe develop another team or teams in the Northern Minnesota area.  So, if any one out there is interested in forming a team or playing on a team.

Check out this website for more information:
http://www.powerhockey.com
 

 
 
Minnesota's Prescription Drug Program

Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs.  Minnesota’s Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program has a drug benefit, but it doesn’t cover older Minnesotans who have too much income or too many assets to qualify.  In 1999, according to the Kaiser Foundation, 37% of Medicare enrollees under the age of 65 did not have prescription drug coverage.

Since 1999, Minnesota’s Prescription Drug Program has helped pay for medications for some Minnesotans who do not have prescription drug coverage.  Starting July 1, 2002, the program expands to include coverage for persons on Medicare due to a disability.

To be eligible for the Prescription Drug Program.

Enrollees must:

• Be a Medicare enrollee, age 65 or older, or disabled
• Be a Minnesota resident for six months
• Have income at or below 120 percent of the federal poverty guideline — currently $906 a month for one person and $1,241 a month for a married couple
• Have liquid assets (other than home, car, burial funds, etc.) of $10,000 or less for one person; $18,000 or less for a married couple (spouse’s income and assets count even if they aren’t applying for the program)
• Not have eligibility for Medical Assistance, determined by using a Long-Term Care budget
• Not have prescription drug coverage within four months of applying
• Not be enrolled in MinnesotaCare
• Be enrolled in, or applying for, one of the following Medicare supplement programs, which help enrollees pay their Medicare premiums: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), or Service Limited Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB). 
  

What does the Prescription Drug Program provide?

The Prescription Drug Program pays for most prescription drugs after enrollees pay the first $35 per month (per person). 

Which pharmacies honor the Prescription Drug Program?

Any pharmacy that serves enrollees in the state’s health care programs (Medical Assistance, General Assistance Medical Care, and MinnesotaCare) is part of the Prescription Drug Program. This includes most pharmacies in Minnesota and some in neighboring states.

For more information call the statewide 
Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433.

For questions about eligibility, contact your local county human services agency.

This information is available in other forms to people with disabilities by contacting (651) 296-8517 (voice), toll free at 1-800-657-3659, or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529 (TTY) or 1-877-627-3848 (speech-to-speech relay service).
 

   
 
CILNM would like to take this opportunity to say 
“Thank You”
to the following organizations whose contributions made it possible to hold CILNM’s - “Independent Living Celebration” & Courage Duluth’s - “Kayaking Event”

 

Cobb-Cook Grocery Hibbing, MN Fraboni’s Hibbing, MN Hibbing Commercial Banks Hibbing, MN Homecare Specialists Hibbing, MN Kosher Koney Hibbing, MN McDonald’s Chisholm, MN McDonald’s Hibbing, MN

Metz Bakery Hibbing, MN NHS Chisholm, MN Pepsi Cola Grand Rapids, MN Republic Bank Duluth, MN Sunrise Bakery Hibbing, MN Super One Hibbing, MN Veterans on the Lake Resort Ely, MN

 

 
 
Announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation:

The Department of Transportation's aviation consumer disability toll-free hotline will become operational at 7 a.m. local time in Washington, D.C., on August 5, 2002. The toll-free number for our aviation consumer disability hotline is 1-866-266-1368 (voice) and 1-866-754-4368 (TTY). We ask that you advise members of your respective organizations about the establishment of the hotline and encourage them to call the hotline to obtain information and assistance if they should experience disability-related air service problems.
 

 

Your gift to CILNM may be tax deductible
even if you do not itemize!