enTRUST Services

02/20/2026

✨ Friday Fact: Why Is Benefits Counseling Essential? ✨

Benefits counseling isn’t just paperwork—it’s strategy. Think of it as financial planning, but with Social Security rules instead of stocks.

✅ Most problems are fixable.
Suspensions, overpayments, confusing letters—many issues can be resolved once someone knows where to look.

📬 One letter can change everything.
Benefits counselors read the fine print so clients don’t have to (and yes, deadlines really matter).

🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Benefits counseling turns a confusing system into a clear, manageable plan.

💼 Working doesn’t have to mean risking benefits.
With the right guidance, many people can work and keep the benefits they rely on.

⏳ Early help saves stress later.
The sooner someone gets benefits counseling, the fewer emergencies show up down the road.

💬 It’s a partnership, not a lecture.
Good benefits counseling is collaborative, respectful, and centered on the client’s goals.

🌟 The best surprise?
Most clients leave feeling relieved, not overwhelmed.

At enTRUST Services, LLC, benefits counseling is about confidence, clarity, and protecting what matters most.

02/18/2026

✨ Stability Through Life’s Transitions: A Client Success Story with enTRUST ✨

After the passing of his mother—who had faithfully served as his long-time representative payee—a client was faced with both deep grief and sudden financial uncertainty. Without an authorized payee in place, his Social Security benefits were suspended, creating an urgent need for support and guidance.

The client reached out to enTRUST, and our team immediately stepped in. We carefully guided him through the complex representative payee transition process, reported all required information to the Social Security Administration, and supported him through every necessary step along the way.

All documentation was gathered and submitted to the his local SSA office, and in less than three weeks, the process was successfully expedited. enTRUST was officially appointed as the client’s representative payee—restoring access to his benefits and financial stability.

Through thoughtful coordination, clear communication, and dedicated advocacy, enTRUST helped protect this client’s security during an incredibly difficult chapter—transforming uncertainty into stability and support for the future.

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine's Day from your friends at enTRUST. We hope you have a day filled with love and connection.

02/13/2026

🌟 Friday Fact: Why Would I Want or Need a Representative Payee? 🌟

Did you know… Representative Payees exist for one simple but powerful reason — to make sure Social Security benefits are used for housing, food, healthcare, and stability first. 🏠

What this means in real life:
🔹 Payees do more than pay bills — they protect benefits, respond to SSA notices, and help prevent overpayments
🔹 Paying rent on time supports housing security and helps reduce evictions or utility shut-offs
🔹 Representative Payees work with beneficiaries, not over them — the goal is support, not control
🔹 Payees help catch fraud, identity theft, and errors that might otherwise go unnoticed
🔹 For many people, having a payee builds financial confidence and independence over time

Why it matters:
✔ Protects essential income and daily stability
✔ Strengthens long-term financial security
✔ Reduces risk and stress around benefits
✔ Turns support into empowerment

🎯 Big takeaway: Representative Payee services transform Social Security benefits into peace of mind.

At enTRUST Services, LLC, we treat payee services as a true partnership — protecting income today while planning for tomorrow.

Learn more: https://entrustdisabilitysvcs.org/

02/07/2026

enTRUST Services provides financial services that enrich the lives of people with disabilities and is a subsidiary of Mainstay.

Mainstay Life Services' mission is to enrich lives through person-centered support and inclusive community programs, unlocking the full potential of people with diverse abilities.

Learn more about Mainstay by visiting the website (MainstayLifeServices.org) and following them on social media!

Facebook: https://ow.ly/b94M50Qqxgp

Instagram: https://ow.ly/UfYQ50Qqxgs

LinkedIn: https://ow.ly/F6uV50Qqxgr

YouTube: https://ow.ly/tSQC50Qqxgq

02/06/2026

🌟 Friday Fact: You Can Work for 9 Months and Keep Your SSDI Benefits 🌟

Did you know… you can test working without immediately losing your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? 💼

Thanks to the Trial Work Period (TWP), SSDI beneficiaries have a safe way to explore employment and build confidence while keeping financial stability.

Here’s the key info:
🔹 You get 9 “trial” work months within a rolling 60-month period
🔹 During those months, you can earn any amount
🔹 You still receive your full SSDI disability benefits

Why it matters:
✔ Lets you safely test your ability to work
✔ Supports independence and skill-building
✔ Protects income while you explore employment
✔ Shows that work incentives are designed to help you succeed

🎯 Big takeaway: Social Security rules aren’t just regulations — they’re tools that help make work possible and rewarding for people with disabilities.

02/03/2026

📅 Save the date!

On Wednesday, March 4 from 6:30 - 8 PM, our CEO, Jodie Esper, and Manager & Benefits Counselor, Ruth Opferman, will present at The Branch's March Family Forum. The event takes place at the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse.

Jodie and Ruth will share important information about Special Needs Trusts, Benefits Counseling, and Representative Payee Services.

We hope you’ll join the conversation! For more info or to register, contact Alison Karabin at 📞 412-325-0039 or 📧 akarabin@thebranchpgh.org.

01/30/2026

🌟 Friday Fact: Students Can Work and Keep Their Benefits 🌟

Did you know… being a student can actually help protect your SSI while you work? 🎓💼

If you receive SSI and are under age 22, the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) allows eligible students to earn money while much of it is not counted against SSI.

Here’s the key info:
🔹 You can work part-time while in school
🔹 Gain real-world experience and job skills
🔹 Keep more (or even all) of your SSI

📌 2026 SEIE limits:
✔ Up to $2,410 per month excluded
✔ Up to $9,730 per year excluded

These limits apply to eligible SSI recipients who are under 22 and regularly attending school, meaning this amount of income won’t count toward SSI benefit reductions.

Why it matters:
✔ Supports financial independence
✔ Encourages employment and education together
✔ Helps protect critical benefits
✔ Builds confidence and future opportunities

🎯 Big takeaway: School doesn’t just build your future — it can help protect your benefits today. Understanding work incentives helps make work pay.

01/27/2026

⚠️ SSA Overpayments Are Hurting Credit Scores — Even When They Shouldn’t Be
Across the country, Social Security beneficiaries are reporting credit score drops of 100–200 points after alleged overpayments are reported to credit bureaus — even when those overpayments are under appeal or a waiver is pending.

The impact can be serious:
• Cancelled credit
• Higher interest rates
• Housing and employment barriers
• Increased financial instability

These reports are coming from multiple states, pointing to a systemic issue — not isolated mistakes.

💡 There are steps people can take:
✔ File a reconsideration or waiver
✔ Dispute the debt with credit bureaus
✔ Document harm and credit changes
✔ Request corrections and escalate when needed

🤝 Benefits Counseling can help with navigating these steps, identifying improper reporting, and protecting income and financial stability.

If you or someone you support has experienced credit damage related to an SSA overpayment, contact enTRUST for Benefits Counseling services:
📱 Phone: 888-368-7880
📧 Email: Contact@enTRUSTDisabilitySvcs.org

Early support can help prevent long-term financial harm.

01/23/2026

🧠 Friday FACT from enTRUST!

Social Security is Speeding Things Up! 🚀

The Social Security Administration is making real progress to serve Americans faster and better—and the results are impressive:

✅ 3.1 million payments under the Social Security Fairness Act—completed 5 months early!
📞 800 number wait times cut by over 50%—now averaging just 13 minutes
🤖 90% of calls now handled through self-service or callbacks
🏢 Field office visits are faster—wait times down 10%
♿ Disability claims backlog reduced by 25%
🕒 Hearing wait times dropped by 60 days
🌐 And the my Social Security portal is getting a 24/7 upgrade this month!

The agency is aiming to become a national model of excellent service—and it’s well on its way. 💼✨

💡 Better service = less stress for you and your loved ones.

Stay informed with enTRUST: https://ow.ly/yQCp50Y1ggS

01/19/2026

Today, we honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the American Civil Rights Movement through nonviolent activism and peaceful protest. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35 and gave the prize of $54,123 to further the civil rights movement. He is also the only non-president with a national holiday in his name. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Many of his speeches and quotes are well-known. Here is one that you may not have heard before: a recording of his acceptance speech of the Nobel Peace Prize: https://ow.ly/rktp50XY4xz

01/17/2026