FIESTA PUERTO RICO
"GETS OUT
THE VOTE"
JUNE 29TH FESTIVAL IN CORAL SPRINGS
FEATURES VOTER REGISTRATION
SU VOTO CUENTA - YOUR VOTE COUNTS
FIESTA PUERTO RICO! the 6TH annual celebration of Puerto Rico culture and tradition scheduled for Sunday, June 29th at the Coral Springs Center of the Arts festival will feature a "Get out the Vote" area during this year's crucial presidential elections.
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Mobile Van Unit will highlight the importance of registering and voting as everyone's civic duty. Both political parties have been invited to participate along with local candidates seeking to reach this voter. The festival invites guests of all ethnicities and walks of life to celebrate and to exercise the most important element of a thriving democracy: Their vote.
"In this very important election year, it is critical that every voter and potential voter have access to accurate and updated information about the voting process. My staff and I are pleased to be able to provide information during the 6th annual celebration of Puerto Rican culture", said Dr. Brenda C. Snipes, Broward County Supervisor of Elections.
"While everyone is having a great time, they will also learn about important voter issues, citizenship and voter registration" said Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., publisher of El Heraldo de Broward, the first Spanish newspaper in Broward County since 1974. Our newspaper has played a major role over the past 34 years in educating its readership about local, state and national issues."
Because Broward County boasts a large Hispanic population, candidates and political parties are increasingly concerned with appealing to the burgeoning Hispanic voting bloc.
For more information on how to participate, visit www.wedoevents.net.
Al Otero fue nombrado director Ejecutivo de la Cámara de de Comercio del condado de Broward (BCCC).
Al Otero fue nombrado director Ejecutivo de la Cámara de Comercio del condado de Broward (BCCC). Otero, de origen colombiano, es el primer hispano nombrado en este cargo de la organización empresarial. Su principal misión será desarrollar un programa de trabajo mediante la creación de una serie de comités, con la idea de convertir a la BCCC en la principal organización de negocios del sur de la Florida. Entre sus objetivos están establecer la mejor red de oportunidades, beneficios y herramientas de mercadeo, así como brindar acceso a los mercados globales. Otero cuenta con más de 14 años de experiencia en el desarrollo de operaciones de cámaras de comercio y además por más de 20 años ha trabajado en ventas, mercadeo y administración de pequeños negocios. El fue presidente de Latin CEO International, entre otros.
“My goal as Executive Director for the Broward County Chamber of Commerce; is to develop a comprehensive Program of Work to position the BCCC as the premier business organization in South Florida. The BCCC will provide businesses with the best networking opportunities, benefits, marketing vehicles, empowering business seminars and education and access to global markets. This will all be accomplished by creating numerous committees to address specific needs of the members and the communities we serve and by building a true “team” environment where, by developing strategic alliances with chambers of commerce, business organizations, international trade organizations, the media and non-profits, all working together to stimulate economic development and growth through out South Florida.” Al Otero
TRAVELING ABROAD? SOCIAL SECURITY WILL GO WITH YOU!
If you receive Social Security benefits and you’re planning to travel abroad, there are some things you should know to make your trip -- and the delivery of your Social Security payments -- go smoothly.
First, if you haven’t already done so, you should sign up for direct deposit. It’s the easiest and most secure way to receive your benefit payments, whether you’re at home or halfway around the world. With direct deposit, you never have to worry about your check being lost or stolen. And direct deposit makes funds instantly available to you even when you are not at home to receive and cash your checks.
You should also be familiar with how your Medicare coverage works outside the United States. Be aware that Medicare, in most cases, does not pay for hospital or medical services outside the U.S., except for some emergency services in Mexico and Canada. That is the case even if you get sick or hurt while traveling.
Last but not least, if you plan to stay outside the country more than 30 days, other rules may apply. You can find out about these rules and more by visiting our online publications at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Question: This summer my grandmother invited me to visit her for three weeks in Nicaragua. But if I go, will my SSI (Supplemental Security Income) stop?
Answer: Your visit should not affect your SSI. SSI usually stops if a person leaves the country for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days or more. Since you will only be out of the country three weeks, your SSI should not be affected. However, you do need to let Social Security know when you leave and return. And if you don’t have direct deposit, now is a good time to consider it. With direct deposit, your payments will arrive to your bank account no matter where you are. For more about Social Security call 1-800-772-1213.
Question: I get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on my disability. Does that mean I qualify for other benefits, too?
Answer: In most states, SSI recipients also get Medicaid. You should contact your medical assistance office to find out if you qualify. SSI recipients are also sometimes eligible for social services provided by the state, city or county where they live. These may include homemaker services, food stamps, arrangements for meals or transportation. More information is available at your local public assistance office.
DISABILITY
Question: To get Social Security disability benefits, I heard that I have to have a disability that will last one year. But do I have to be disabled for a whole year before I apply?
Answer: No. You should apply as soon as you are unable to work due to your disability. You can begin receiving benefits six months after the date your disability began, if your application for benefits is approved. In addition to determining whether you have a disabling condition, the state agency making the decision will consider whether your disability is expected to last a full year, but the year does not need to have already passed. You may want to take a look at our online publication on disability benefits.
Question:
I’m thinking about getting disability protection from a private insurance company. If I become disabled and have a private policy, would it reduce my disability benefit from Social Security?
Answer: No. Your eligibility for Social Security disability payments is not affected by any private insurance you may have. But, you may be interested to know that worker’s compensation and certain other public disability payments could affect your Social Security benefit.
¿PIENSA VIAJAR AL EXTRANJERO?
¡SUS PAGOS DE SEGURO SOCIAL IRÁN CON USTED!
Si recibe beneficios de Seguro Social y piensa viajar al extranjero este verano, hay algunas cosas que debe saber para que su viaje — y el recibo de su cheque de beneficios de Seguro Social — sea todo un éxito.
Lo primero que debe hacer, si es que todavía no lo ha hecho, es solicitar que sus pagos de beneficios se hagan por depósito directo a su institución financiera. Es la forma más fácil y segura de recibir los pagos de beneficios, ya sea que esté en su hogar o en alguna parte del mundo. Al tener el servicio de depósito directo, no se tiene que preocupar que se le vaya a perder el cheque o que se lo roben. Además, con depósito directo su dinero está disponible inmediatamente aunque usted no esté en su casa para recibir y cambiar su cheque.
Segundo, debe familiarizarse con qué servicios médicos están cubiertos por Medicare fuera de los Estados Unidos. Una de las cosas que debe saber es que la cobertura de Medicare, en la mayoría de los casos, no paga los servicios médicos ni hospitalizaciones fuera de los Estados Unidos, excepto algunos servicios de emergencia en México y el Canadá. Esto aplica en caso de que se enferme o que se lesione mientras esté de viaje.
Por último, pero no menos importante, si piensa estar fuera de los Estados Unidos por más de 30 días, hay otras reglas que podrían aplicar en su caso. Para enterarse mejor acerca de estas reglas, y otros puntos importantes, visite www.segurosocial.gov/espanol/publist2.html y busque la publicación titulada “Sus pagos mientras esté fuera de los Estados Unidos”. También puede llamar gratis al 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) y pedir que se le envíe una copia de la publicación por correo.
School Board Vice Chair Maureen S. Dinnen Named To State’s Children and Youth Cabinet
Broward County Public Schools Vice-Chair and District 3 Board Member Maureen S. Dinnen was recently appointed as an ex-officio member of the Children and Youth Cabinet. Dinnen is one of five ex-officio members of the organization, joining Senator Nan Rich, Representative Loranne Ausley, South Florida Deputy Attorney General Cynthia Guerra and Chief Justice Fred Lewis.
The vision of the Children and Youth Cabinet is for all children in Florida grow up safe, healthy, educated and prepared to meet their full potential. The mission of the Cabinet is to ensure that the public policy of Florida relating to children and youth promotes interdepartmental collaboration and program implementation in order for services designed for children and youth to be planned, managed and delivered in a holistic and integrated manner to improve the self-sufficiency, safety, economic stability, health and quality of life of all children and youth in Florida.
Ms. Dinnen’s appointment is as a designee of Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. The Cabinet is a council within the Executive Office of the Governor established by legislation in 2007.
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