We joined our partners at CEDA: Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc to announce that the application period for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now open! New this year, the program has expanded income eligibility requirements, with households qualifying if they earn at or below 60% of Illinois’ median income. For a family of four, that’s an annual gross income maximum of $76,884, or $6,407 a month. Applications opened today for those most

The most you can draw on Social Security spousal benefits is 50%. But if you draw your own Social Security early and lock in a reduction, you’ll never be able to draw the maximum Social Security spousal benefit so you’ll never get 50% of the higher earnest Social Security amount. You’ll beable to draw 100% as a widow later because widow benefits are not reduced by drawing Social Security spousal benefits early. | The Medicare Family