Author: Web Site Administrator

Repost from the Social Security Administration

Every day—but particularly on Veterans Day—Social Security salutes those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Members of the United States armed forces receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability applications. The expedited process is available for any military service member who alleges he or she became disabled during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurred—at home or in the line of duty. Expedited processing is also available to veterans who have a compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability, regardless of when the disability occurred. Some dependent children and spouses of military personnel may also be eligible to receive benefits.

Visit our website designed specifically for our wounded veterans, www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors, where you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits available under the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Our website includes a fact sheet on the subject:  Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors.

You’ll also find a webinar, “Social Security for Wounded Warriors,” that explains the expedited disability process available to wounded warriors. The one-hour video is an introduction to disability benefits for veterans and active duty military personnel.  If you would like more detailed information about the disability process, you can watch our seven-part video series “Social Security Disability Claims Process” at www.socialsecurity.gov/socialmedia/webinars.

On the Wounded Warriors webpage, you’ll find links to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense websites. Please keep in mind that the requirements for disability benefits available through Social Security are different from those of the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

Military service members are covered for the same Social Security survivors, disability, and retirement benefits as everyone else. Although the expedited service is relatively new, military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957, and people who were in the service prior to that may be able to get special credit for some of their service.

Read our publication, Military Service And Social Security, to learn more. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. Also, navigate to www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella speak with Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover and Union County Parks Maintenance Director Michael Brennan about the stream stabilization project for the Union County Route 22 Park in Scotch Plains to help alleviate flooding issues.

After a torrential rain storm last August flooded downtown Scotch Plains, members of the NJ DEP, County Engineering and Parks departments along with Scotch Plains Township personnel met at the request of Mayor Glover.  The discussions culminated in a project that has been submitted for approval by the State.  The plans include the replacement of the various types of failing sections of a retaining wall along the stream.  It will also will include removal of accumulated debris and sediment in certain areas of the stream.  This work will improve the flow and function of the stream with the aim of reducing flooding.  Additional improvements will include removal of an outdated and aging pedestrian bridge.

The Route 22 Park is officially part of the Watchung Reservation but there is a shared service agreement between the Township and the County that allows for capital improvements to be undertaken by Union County and the day to day maintenance performed by the Scotch Plains Recreation Department.

Construction bids will be requested this fall with an anticipated start date in early 2017, once NJ DEP approval is obtained.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders,  along with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation would like to recognize the Union County Artists who received awards at a gala reception held Friday, October 28, at the conclusion of the 50th annual New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Show in East Windsor. The art show and reception were corrordinated by the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

“I’d like to congratulate all the seniors, not only the winners, but all who participated in the show and shared their artistic talents with others,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Works of art by seniors from 21 New Jersey counties were exhibited at Meadow Lakes and were awarded honors in eleven artwork categories to both professional and non-professional artists. Awards were presented at the closing reception by the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division on Aging Services and the Mercer County Office on Aging.

The following Union County senior artists received 1st place honors during the judging:

• John Curch (Scotch Plains): Watercolor by a professional, “Italian Market in Rome”
• William Gardner (Winfield Park): Digital Art by a non-pro, “Metropolis”
• Michael Metzger (Westfield): Oil Painting by a professional, “Rhineland”

These artists received 2nd place honors:

• Robert Golderg (Springfield): Craft by a professional, pottery
• Thomas Wacaster (Clark): Oil painting by a non-pro, “Daily Commute”

These artists received 3rd place honors:

• Sam Awad (Summit): Photography by a professional, “Vertigo”
• Frank B. Marshall III (Roselle): Mixed Media by a professional, “Black America – The Dark Side”

These artists received Honorable Mention:

• Williams Daniels (Springfield): Works on Paper/Drawing by a professional, “Faerie Garden”
• Lisa DiMichele (Berkeley Heights): Acrylic painting by a non-pro, “Reno 1940s”
• Maria Irene Nobile (Union): Pastel by a non-pro, “Summer Pear”
• Susan Ucci (Elizabeth): Photography by a non-pro, “End of life”

John Curch of Scotch Plains was awarded 1st Place in the category of Watercolor by a professional for his painting titled “Italian Market in Rome.”

William Gardner of Winfield Park was awarded 1st Place in the category of Digital Art by a non-pro for his work titled “Metropolis.”

Michael Metzger of Westfield was awarded 1st Place in the category of Oil painting by a professional for his painting titled “Rhineland.”

Sam Awad of Summit received 3rd Place in the category of Photography by a professional for his work titled “Vertigo.”

Lisa DiMichele of Berkeley Heights received Honorable Mention in the category of Acrylic painting by a non-pro for her painting titled “Reno 1940s

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds voters who wish to use the early voting process in person can bring their application to the County Clerk’s main office in Elizabeth or the annex office in Westfield up until 3:00 p.m. on November 7. Pre-printed applications are also available at these offices.

The County Clerk also encourages voters with mobile devices to download the free Union County Votes app to receive complete information for the upcoming General Election on November 8.

The County Clerk’s main office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday November 5, for voters to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot in person.

The annex, at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, is also open for Vote by Mail users on Saturday November 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For a schedule of regular weekday office hours and more information about voting in Union County use the Union Count Votes app, visit unioncountyvotes.com, or call the Elections Division at 908-527-4996.

For all other County Clerk programs and services visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC), a nonprofit economic development corporation, has received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).

The award will support UCEDC’s Community Advantage 7a loan program, providing long-term loans of $50,000 to $250,000 to start-up (in operation less than two years) and established businesses in New Jersey. With low down payments and flexible collateral requirements, Community Advantage 7a loans can help grow small businesses that can’t qualify for conventional financing.

“Our partnership with UCEDC broadens access to working capital and training programs for small businesses in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The CDFI award is a testament to the commitment of UCEDC to supporting low-income and economically disadvantaged communities. On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to congratulate UCEDC on this particular achievement.”

This is UCEDC’s second consecutive award from the CDFI Fund – it received $1.36 million in 2015 – and it is one of only two New Jersey organizations to receive grants this year.

The grant will enhance UCEDC’s financing outreach into communities where access to capital is often difficult to obtain. “Small business owners and entrepreneurs in these areas deserve a fair chance to succeed and we are committed to supporting their efforts through our loan products and mentoring services,” says UCEDC President, Maureen Tinen.

A partner of this year’s ‘Union County at Work and Play’ 2016 Chairman initiatives, UCEDC and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are committed to boosting local economies and strengthening communities through small business development and job creation.

“No matter what stage your business is in, even it’s still just an idea that you’re considering, we encourage you to contact UCEDC for more information about the unique financing options we’ve established to support small business growth,” said Chairman Bergen.

Since its inception in 1977, UCEDC has loaned over $27 million to small businesses throughout New Jersey, helping to create and retain 6,000+ jobs.  In addition to its lending programs, UCEDC provides training and technical assistance services and serves as a designated Procurement Technical Assistance Center. 

For information about UCEDC’s Community Advantage 7a loan program as well as its other small business loan programs, call 908-527-1166 or visit www.ucedc.com.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Paul Federico of Scotch Plains in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his work entitled ‘The Three Skaters’ is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through December 30. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Mr. Federico’s charming illustrations from his children’s book, ‘The Three Skaters’.”

Federico studied drawing at Brookdale Community College while in high school. He earned his BFA at Parsons School of Design, NY; attended The School of Visual Arts, NY; duCret School of Art, Plainfield; and attended life drawing classed at the Arts Students League in Manhattan.

Federico said of his work, “Years ago, when I was reading bedtime stories to my daughter Kim, I came across a story called “The Three Skaters” in a book of Christmas stories from around the world. It is a story about three families who offer all they have to give to a family of young refugees. It’s about the joy you can feel when you unconditionally give a gift to someone. I thought that it would make a terrific bedtime story. So I adapted it into a 34 page, hard cover children’s book with 18 full color illustrations. The story is set in the 19th century Holland. I painted the illustrations in oil on wooden panels in a van Gogh style.”

Paul Federico is an artist and graphic designer and the Creative Director of Princeton Partners Advertising. He is a member of the Westfield Art Association and the Contemporary Art Group of Watchung and has exhibited throughout the region. To see more of Paul Federico’s artwork got to www.paulfederico.com.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.