Leahy Life Plan

11/04/2025

FREE WEBINAR - Wednesday, November 12th @ 6pm
Register Here: https://forms.gle/KYLYdc9ocVhBxJB48

Please join Leahy Life Plan and The Law Office of Randy Hope Steen, Ltd. where we will be discussing, navigating SSI, SSDI, waivers, OVR, working while receiving benefits, Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship, Special Needs Trusts and how to fund them.

We hope you can join us. We will have the SSA 2026 numbers/amounts for you!

10/29/2025

Did you know?
The standard Medicare Part B premium for 2026 is projected to increase to $206.50 per month, up from $185 in 2025, reflecting an 11.6% increase.

10/29/2025

Information seeking in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

10/27/2025

Looking forward to speaking at EmpathyTech!

We are honored to welcome Michele A. Leahy, MS, CPWIC, Founder and CEO of Leahy Life Plan , as a speaker at EmpathyTech Philadelphia on November 19 at Lincoln Financial Field, co-hosted by Pletly and A Step Up Academy (ASUA).

Michele leads Leahy Life Plan, a firm 100% owned and operated by people with disabilities, dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities and their families create personalized life plans. Her work focuses on guiding families through government, community, and financial supports, including strategies for funding special needs trusts and achieving long-term independence.

With both professional and lived experience, Michele’s career has been defined by advocacy, empowerment, and access. She currently serves on the PA Employment First Oversight Committee (appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro) and the PA Rehabilitation Council, and was the first non-veteran Executive Board Member of the United Spinal Association.

Michele will be joining the panel “The Broken Pipeline: Rebuilding Disability Innovation Through Policy, Partnership, and Purpose”, where she will share her insights on how collaboration and policy can strengthen the bridge between disability advocacy, innovation, and action.

Her journey continues to inspire cross-disability inclusion, spanning physical, intellectual, and mental health communities. As Ms. Wheelchair PA 2004, she championed the message “Say Yes To Access”, which was later adopted by Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities.

Make sure to secure tickets to EmpathyTech Philadelphia today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empathytech-2025-tickets-1587948459589

Support our initiative by becoming a sponsor or making a donation: https://givebutter.com/empathytech2025

Learn more about EmpathyTech at: https://www.empathytech.org/

10/27/2025

Our live intake will be closed next week from October 27 - October 31, 2025. It will reopen on November 3, 2025, at 9am.

You can access the resources on our website for self-advocacy assistance and file a grievance using our online grievance form at any time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

https://www.disabilityrightspa.org/resources/

If this is an urgent situation involving abuse or neglect, contact emergency services including Adult Protective Services for an adult age 18 or older or ChildLine for youth under age 18.

Adult Protective Services:
- https://bit.ly/42yQVUh
- 1-800-490-8505

ChildLine:
- https://bit.ly/3EBQi49
- 1-800-932-0313

10/25/2025

Our friends at Comprehensive Neuropsychology Servies, PLLC are holding a virtual AND in-person parent group to share valuable knowledge. Information below!

Group Details:
Duration: 4 weekly 90-minute sessions
Format: In-person or telehealth
Cost: $450

About the Group:
Are you a parent navigating the emotional and practical challenges of helping your teen or young adult prepare for life after high school? Whether your child is heading to college,
entering the workforce, or exploring other paths, this 4-week group offers expert guidance, community support, and actionable tools to help you parent with confidence.

What You’ll Gain:
Clarity on your parenting values and how to apply them during this transition
Tools to support your child’s executive functioning (time management, planning, independence)
ACT-based strategies for managing stress and uncertainty
A personalized Parent Launch Toolkit to guide your family’s next steps

About the Facilitator:
Hollie Duonnolo, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with expertise in postsecondary disability services, executive functioning, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
She specializes in helping emerging adults and their families
navigate the transition to adulthood with compassion and clarity. Her work integrates evidence-based practices with a warm, collaborative approach.

If you are interested or need more information, please reach out CNS:
(484) 321-3958
admin@drkbaum.com
www.comprehensiveneuropsychologyservices.com

10/25/2025

The new Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) was just announced by Social Security- do you know what it means for you or your loved one?

Learn more on how to navigate these changes and more at our upcoming webinar on November 12th, 6-8pm.
Visit this link to register for free:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CiPhC8PQ3/

(Picture Description below)
Maximum taxable earnings for Social Security (OASDI only):
2025: $176,100 → 2026: $184,500
Retirement earnings test (if you’re receiving benefits and earning wages):
Under full retirement age: 2025: $23,400/year ($1,950/month) → 2026: $24,480/year ($2,040/month)
Disability thresholds:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) non-blind: 2025: $1,620/month → 2026: $1,690/month
SGA blind: 2025: $2,700/month → 2026: $2,830/month
Trial Work Period (TWP): 2025: $1,160/month → 2026: $1,210/month
SSI Federal Payment Standards:
Individual: 2025: $967/month → 2026: $994/month
Couple: 2025: $1,450/month → 2026: $1,491/month
Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits (for January 2026):
These include the effect of the 2.8% COLA:
All retired workers: from about $2,015 → $2,071
Aged couple (both receiving benefits): from about $3,120 → $3,208
Widowed mother and two children: from about $3,792 → $3,898
Aged widow(er) alone: from about $1,867 → $1,919
Disabled worker, spouse and child/children: from about $2,857 → $2,937
All disabled workers: from about $1,586 → $1,630

Mark Your Calendars - November 12th - Autism, ID & MH: What You Need to Know After Age 18
Hosted by Leahy Life Plan & Attorney Randy H. Steen, Esq.
* Special Needs Trust
* What Is the ABLE Act
* Can I use state and federal programs at the same time?
* What is the difference between Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship?

10/24/2025

COLA JUST IN:

Maximum taxable earnings for Social Security (OASDI only):
2025: $176,100 → 2026: $184,500
Retirement earnings test (if you’re receiving benefits and earning wages):
Under full retirement age: 2025: $23,400/year ($1,950/month) → 2026: $24,480/year ($2,040/month)
Disability thresholds:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) non-blind: 2025: $1,620/month → 2026: $1,690/month
SGA blind: 2025: $2,700/month → 2026: $2,830/month
Trial Work Period (TWP): 2025: $1,160/month → 2026: $1,210/month
SSI Federal Payment Standards:
Individual: 2025: $967/month → 2026: $994/month
Couple: 2025: $1,450/month → 2026: $1,491/month
Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits (for January 2026):
These include the effect of the 2.8% COLA:
All retired workers: from about $2,015 → $2,071
Aged couple (both receiving benefits): from about $3,120 → $3,208
Widowed mother and two children: from about $3,792 → $3,898
Aged widow(er) alone: from about $1,867 → $1,919
Disabled worker, spouse and child/children: from about $2,857 → $2,937
All disabled workers: from about $1,586 → $1,630

Learn more on how to navigate these changes at our upcoming webinar on November 12th, 6-8pm. Visit this link to register:
https://forms.gle/KYLYdc9ocVhBxJB48

Direct link to the COLA announcement from the Social Security Administration:
https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

10/24/2025

JUST IN:

Maximum taxable earnings for Social Security (OASDI only):
2025: $176,100 → 2026: $184,500

Retirement earnings test (if you’re receiving benefits and earning wages):
Under full retirement age: 2025: $23,400/year ($1,950/month) → 2026: $24,480/year ($2,040/month)

Disability thresholds:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) non-blind: 2025: $1,620/month → 2026: $1,690/month
SGA blind: 2025: $2,700/month → 2026: $2,830/month
Trial Work Period (TWP): 2025: $1,160/month → 2026: $1,210/month

SSI Federal Payment Standards:
Individual: 2025: $967/month → 2026: $994/month
Couple: 2025: $1,450/month → 2026: $1,491/month

Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits (for January 2026):
These include the effect of the 2.8% COLA:
All retired workers: from about $2,015 → $2,071
Aged couple (both receiving benefits): from about $3,120 → $3,208
Widowed mother and two children: from about $3,792 → $3,898
Aged widow(er) alone: from about $1,867 → $1,919
Disabled worker, spouse and child/children: from about $2,857 → $2,937
All disabled workers: from about $1,586 → $1,630

10/23/2025

LIHEAP open enrollment impacted by the shutdown in the Commonwealth of PA. See below.

Due to Federal Government Shutdown, Opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season Delayed to December: https://bit.ly/474wRMV

Due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania must delay the opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season by one month, until December 3, 2025, because the Department of Human Services (DHS) has not yet received its federal allocation for 2025-2026 LIHEAP funds. Without action from the White House or the Republican-controlled Congress to reopen the federal government or release LIHEAP funding to states, DHS will be unable to open the LIHEAP season as previously scheduled on November 3, 2025.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS where benefits are distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider on behalf of qualified Pennsylvanians who need help paying their home heating bills during winter months. On average, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP – in 2023, the Commonwealth received $216 million and in 2024, $229 million. Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.

“The LIHEAP Program helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months – and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families. Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.”

For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate at pa-navigate.org to help find resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org.

10/22/2025

Emotional Sensitivity in Autism

💙 Understanding Emotional Sensitivity in Autism
Many autistic individuals experience emotions more deeply and intensely than others. This emotional sensitivity can bring both strengths and challenges.
✨ Deep Empathy: Some autistic people are incredibly attuned to the feelings of others — noticing subtle emotional cues that many might overlook. This often leads to profound compassion and connection.
🌋Emotional Overload: At times, these strong emotions can become overwhelming, leading to outbursts or shutdowns when feelings are too intense to manage.
By recognizing and understanding emotional sensitivity, we can create more supportive environments that honor both the empathy and the challenges it brings.

Leahy Life Plan helps families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities create a clear, attainable roadmap for the future. We provide expert guidance on federal and state benefits, financial and community planning, and long-term disability supports. Our team collaborates with attorneys, financial advisors, educators, and government agencies to maximize opportunities and improve quality of life.
Start building your plan today at LeahyLifePlan.com

10/22/2025

Support Our Siblings (SOS), a youth-led organization created by and for high schoolers who have siblings with disabilities in NJ. They are sometimes called “glass children” because their needs can be unintentionally overlooked.

The goal is to build a supportive community where glass children can connect, share experiences, and use their unique perspective to become advocates and make a difference. They’ve partnered with The Arc of Union County to host monthly meetups, led by a retired special education teacher.

The first meeting is on November 4th and they are currently seeking more high school-aged (and older middle school aged) siblings of individuals with disabilities to join. Since it’s a new organization, there are also opportunities for students to take on leadership roles and help shape what SOS becomes.

Know someone who may be interested? Please share! You can sign up through the “Get Involved” page on the website!

We’re high school students who are siblings of individuals with disabilities- often called “glass children.” At Support Our Siblings (SOS), we create a compassionate, inclusive space where these siblings are truly seen, supported, and connected.