The “Florida Prepaid-College Board” has helped more than a million families save, over the last 30 years. And, their newest program is helping individuals with varying disabilities become savers and investors, for the first time. Director John Finch has more…

“‘ABLE’-accounts became a reality thanks to a group of parents who were looking for a way to save, for their children with disabilities. ‘ABLE United’ offers tax-free savings- and investment-accounts that allow individuals to save more than the two-thousand-dollar asset-limit—without impacting public-benefit programs, such as ‘Medicaid’ and ‘Supplemental Security Income’. We’re excited to share that the annual contribution-limit is now increasing to 16-thousand dollars, per year. Funds in an ‘ABLE’-account can be used for everyday living-expenses—or for long-term savings-goals.”

To learn more about Florida’s disability-savings program, visit “able-united”-dot-com; again, that’s “able-united”-dot-com.

The historic tornados in Kentucky have left tens-of-thousands in distress. That’s why “A-A-R-P” is sharing online disaster-relief resources, for all Kentuckians: If you’ve been directly affected, we offer information on assistance. Or, if you’re looking to help, find out how you can get involved. “A-A-R-P” is here in Kentucky—giving you trusted resources, in these difficult times. For more on disaster-relief, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“k-y-tornado”.

Pennsylvanians have until January 15th to buy health-insurance during the open-enrollment period for “Pennie”—the state’s “Affordable Care Act”-marketplace. And, they might be able to save money on premiums—thanks to expanded federal tax-credits. That’s according to Angela Foreshaw-Rouse—“A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’s” community-engagement manager…

“The recently enacted ‘American Rescue Plan’ increases tax-credits for insurance-premiums—and expands the number of households who qualify for them. Pennsylvanians have just until January 15th to participate in ‘Pennie’s’ open enrollment. And, as of now, this additional assistance will only be available in 2021 and 2022.”

To learn more, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“a-c-a-p-a”—or call “Pennie’s” service-center directly, at 1-844-844-8040.

As Kansas enters 2022, tens-of-thousands of hard-working residents still lack affordable healthcare. That’s according to April Holman, of the “Alliance for a Healthy Kansas”…

“When the Legislature reconvenes on January 10th, 165-thousand Kansans will be counting on their lawmakers to expand Kan-Care—the state’s Medicaid-program. Our parents, small-business employees, and farmers—many of whom are between the ages of 50 and 64—deserve better.”

Holman adds that Kansas is one of only 12 states that haven’t yet expanded Medicaid to low-wage workers…

“Kansans will also be counting on the Legislature to bring home hundreds-of-millions of their tax-dollars, each year, by expanding Kan-Care. Currently, this money is, instead, being used in such states as Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado—all of which have already expanded Medicaid. And, since this is money that we’ve already paid, it should be used within Kansas.”

The “Alliance for a Healthy Kansas” includes over 120 groups, representing diverse constituencies. To learn more, visit “expand-kan-care”-dot-com.

THIS HOLIDAY-SEASON IS FOCUSED ON GRATITUDE; AVOID THE PITFALLS OF LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING, BY BUYING A GIFT THAT SHOWS LOVE AND APPRECIATION. AMANDA GIZZI IS WITH “JEWELERS OF AMERICA”…

“AS THE HOLIDAY-SEASON PROGRESSES, DON’T FALL INTO THE PITFALLS OF LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING—AND BUYING GENERIC GIFTS WITH NO MEANING. GIVE YOUR LOVED-ONES A GIFT OF JEWELRY. WITH ONE TRIP TO YOUR LOCAL, REPUTABLE JEWELER, YOU CAN FIND GIFTS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR LOVED-ONES SHINE THIS YEAR.”

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT BUYING GIFTS OF FINE JEWELRY?

“THE MOST-IMPORTANT STEP IS TO HEAD TO YOUR LOCAL, REPUTABLE JEWELER—LIKE THOSE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF ‘JEWELERS OF AMERICA’. YOUR JEWELER IS YOUR GIFT-CONCIERGE—AND THEY WILL FIND THE PERFECT PIECES FOR YOUR BUDGET. TOP JEWELRY-STYLES THIS HOLIDAY-SEASON ARE DIAMOND EARRINGS, HEART-SHAPED JEWELRY, AND CHAIN-LINK NECKLACES OR BRACELETS.”

TO FIND A “JEWELERS OF AMERICA” MEMBER-JEWELER NEAR YOU, VISIT “JEWELERS”-DOT-ORG. I’M BOB TEBO, FOR THE “CONSUMER RADIO NETWORK”.

Tens-of-thousands of low-income Kansans currently lack affordable healthcare—because the Legislature failed to expand Kan-Care this year. That’s according to April Holman, of the “Alliance for a Healthy Kansas”…

“Kansas is one of only 12 states that have yet to expand Medicaid. Yet, such a move would help 165-thousand residents, including parents, farmers, and small-business employees; many are between the ages of 50 and 64, while some lost their jobs during the pandemic.”

Holman adds that every state that borders Kansas has already expanded Medicaid...

“By not expanding Kan-Care, the Legislature has already allowed a total of over five-billion tax-dollars to go to other states, which have expanded Medicaid; this includes all of our bordering states. However, if Kansas expands Kan-Care in 2022, the federal government will fund 90-percent of the entire program—and billions of tax-dollars will come back to Kansas.”

The “Alliance for a Healthy Kansas” includes over 120 groups, representing diverse constituencies. To learn more, visit “expand-kan-care”-dot-com.

A new study from “A-A-R-P’s Fraud-Watch Network” finds that many holiday-shoppers might be opening themselves up to risk. Mary Bach is a volunteer with “A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’s” “Consumer-Issues Task-Force”…

“Two-thirds of Pennsylvanians will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards and digital wallets are safer to use online. And, almost as many plan to buy gift-cards off the rack—even though that’s a known target for scammers.”

And, because scammers use a number of tactics, Bach offers these additional tips…

“One of the most-obvious signs is when you see a deal that seems impossibly good; you may end up getting nothing, or an inferior item. Websites with misspellings, poor grammar, or an unusual or confusing address should also raise a red flag. What’s more, ‘phishing’ e-mails often spoof delivery-companies: You shouldn’t click on any links—and, if you need to check on a package, you should instead directly visit the website of either the retailer or the delivery-company. And, to help thwart thieves who steal from doorsteps, ask for packages to be left in an obscure place—or, if that’s not possible, make arrangements to pick them up yourself.”

To learn more about staying safe from holiday-scams, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“fraud-watch-network”—or call 1-877-908-3360.

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“A-A-R-P California” recuerda a todos que el proyecto de ley federal de alivio por el “Covid” aumenta la ayuda financiera para las primas de la “Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio”, a la vez que amplía el acceso. De hecho, se podría ayudar a casi un millón y medio de residentes entre 50 a 64 años. La oportunidad de inscribirse bajo “Covered California” está abierta hasta fines de enero. “A-A-R-P” está aquí para ayudarte; visita “a-a-r-p”-punto-o-r-g-diagonal-“california-a-c-a”.

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En 2019, el 10 por ciento de californianos entre 40 y 64 años no tenían seguro médico. Y, aunque la “Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio” ha reducido las disparidades raciales, las tasas de personas sin seguro médico en comunidades minoritarias son aún más altas. De hecho, los adultos mayores que compran cobertura por su cuenta pagan hasta tres veces más. Es por eso que “A-A-R-P California” le recuerda que el proyecto de ley federal de alivio por el coronavirus aumenta la ayuda financiera para las primas relacionadas con la ley de cuidado de salud, a la vez que amplía el acceso, para que más personas puedan ser elegibles este año. Incluso se podría ayudar a casi un millón y medio de californianos de 50 a 64 años. La oportunidad para inscribirse bajo “Covered California” está abierta hasta fines de enero. Pero si tienes preguntas ahora, “A-A-R-P” está aquí para ayudarte; visita “a-a-r-p”-punto-o-r-g-diagonal-“california-a-c-a”.

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This year’s federal coronavirus-relief bill increases financial help for “Affordable Care Act”-related premiums—while also expanding access. In fact, almost one-and-a-half-million Californians—ages-50 to -64—could be helped. Because of the pandemic, “Covered California’s” enrollment-window remains open—through the end of January ’22. But, if you have questions now, “A-A-R-P” is here to help; visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“a-c-a-california”.

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In 2019, 10-percent of Californians—ages-40 to -64—were uninsured. And, while the “Affordable Care Act” has narrowed racial disparities, the uninsured-rates for communities-of-color are still higher. What’s more, older adults who purchase coverage on their own pay up to three times more. That’s why “A-A-R-P California” is reminding everyone that this year’s federal coronavirus-relief bill increases financial help for “Affordable Care Act”-related premiums—while also expanding access—so that more Californians might be eligible this year. In fact, almost one-and-a-half-million residents—ages-50 to -64—could be helped. Because of the pandemic, “Covered California’s” enrollment-window remains open—through the end of January ’22. But, if you have questions now, “A-A-R-P” is here to help; visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“a-c-a-california”.

A new study from “A-A-R-P’s Fraud-Watch Network” finds that many holiday-shoppers—including throughout Alabama—might be opening themselves up to risk. Jamie Harding is with “A-A-R-P Alabama”…

“The study finds that a full three-fourths of Alabamians will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards are safer to use online. And, almost two-thirds of Alabamians plan to purchase gift-cards, with the majority buying them off the rack—even though that’s a known target for scammers.”

And, because scammers use a number of tactics, Harding offers these additional tips…

“Do research on charities before donating. Decline requests for your login-credentials—even if they’re supposedly from a customer-support staffer. Be wary of ads that tout unbelievable deals. Avoid clicking on ads—since they can link to a fake site, or cause you to download malicious software. And, ask delivery-companies to leave packages in an obscure place, instead of outside your front door—or, if that’s not possible, make arrangements to pick them up yourself.”

To learn more about staying safe from holiday-scams, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“fraud-watch-network”—or call 1-877-908-3360.