Simplify the Journey
Presentations
Financial Benefits: Through Transition and Beyond!
In May 2025, Lydia presented at the Perkins Transition Center for a second time. She discussed Financial Benefits: Through Transition and Beyond!
Some of the typical topics were covered such as SSI, SSDI, SNAP, ABLE Accounts, Medicare, MassHealth, and Section 8 subsidized housing.
For the first time Lydia talked in depth about the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit where disabled adult children can collect SSDI off of a parent's work record and the Child-in-Care benefit where a parent can collect Social Security off of a spouse's work record to care for their disabled adult child while letting their individual social security benefit or regular spousal benefit grow.
Lastly, she demonstrated how government financial benefits can cover both living expenses and some of the extras.
Advocate While You
Navigate Financial Benefits
In March 2025, Lydia conducted a half-day workshop for the MA Department of Developmental Services Family Leadership Program entitled "Advocate While You Navigate Financial Benefits".
There was some promising policy progress made at the Social Security Administration in 2024. However, much more advocacy is needed, especially in these uncertain times. There is also much needed advocacy for SNAP benefits, MassHealth programs, subsidized and affordable housing, and ABLE accounts.
The goal of the workshop was for participants to pinpoint the areas of advocacy that are most important to them and integrate those themes into their overall advocacy efforts.
Let's Talk About
Financial Benefits
In March 2025, Lydia conducted a training entitled "Let's Talk About Financial Benefits" for the Riverside Family Support Center. The goal was for parents and caregivers to walk away with actionable steps to maximize financial benefits.
We talked about Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), how to qualify for the maximum SSI benefit, and the use of ABLE accounts to maintain SSI eligibility.
We talked about MassHealth Premium Assistance, Medicare Savings Plans, employer-sponsored health insurance post-age 26, how to qualify for the maximum SNAP benefit, and how and where to apply for Section 8 subsidized housing.
Empowered with Benefits:
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Disability
In February 2025, Lydia co-presented "Empowered with Benefits" for Women's Money Matters, an organization that builds the financial literacy, confidence, and security of low income women and girls through a unique program that combines instructional workshop and personal one-to-one coaching.
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The presentation covered SSI, SSDI, Health Insurance, and the ins and outs of Retirement Benefits.
Navigating SSI and SSDI:
A Parent's Perspective
Lydia virtually presented "Navigating SSI and SSDI - A Parent's Perspective" for the Riverside Family Support Center in November 2024.
The discussion focused on the differences between the benefit programs, applying for benefits, and benefit amounts. She shared exciting game changing news on new Social Security regulations that entitle most beneficiaries to the maximum SSI benefit of $943 in 2024 and $967 in 2025.
Also, there was a discussion on working while collecting both SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disabilty Insurance).
Public Benefits:
Promoting Financial Independence
Lydia was the keynote speaker at the Perkins Transition Center's Demystifying Transition Planning Symposium in Watertown, MA in May 2024.
She spoke about "Public Benefits - Promoting Financial Independence" demonstrating that it is possible in many cases for disabled young adults to be financially independent from their family.​
Benefits and Services:
Advocating for a Meaningful Life
​Lydia conducted a half-day workshop in both February 2023 and March 2024 entitled "Benefits and Services: Advocating for a Meaningful Life" for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Family Leadership Program.
View her slides from the 2024 workshop.
Benefits and Services
for a Meaningful Life
Lydia presented "Benefits and Services for a Meaningful Life" at the Arc o MA Transition Forum in Concord, MA in October 2022​.