The Choice Group

If you currently receive your Social Security or SSI benefits by paper check, it’s important to know that after September 30, 2025, paper checks will no longer be issued. From that date forward, all benefits will only be delivered electronically, either through direct deposit to a bank account or onto a prepaid Direct Express debit card. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) points to cost savings and fraud prevention as reasons for this change, many advocates are raising serious concerns about how it will affect people with disabilities, older adults, and others who rely on paper checks. For many, paper checks are not just a payment method — they are a trusted, accessible, and familiar lifeline. Here are some of the biggest concerns experts have raised: Loss of Access: Not everyone has a bank account, smartphone, or internet connection. Without those, electronic-only payments can be very difficult to manage. Digital Divide: People living with disabilities or without stable ho...

The VRA Special Projects Committee solicited nominations for this quarter for projects in the state of Virginia that highlight the values of VRA that are in need of support and funds for their endeavors.  Upon review of the nominations, the VRA board voted to support REACHcycles for the second Special Projects recipient in 2017. The VRA Special Projects Committee honored REACHcycles with our $500.00 donation during their celebratory event at ARCpark in Richmond on August 6, 2017.  At this event, REACHcycles presented 22 specially adapted donated three-wheeler cycles (AmTrykes) to area children with disabilities who had been pre-selected by REACHcycles based on desire and need.  The Choice Group representatives, Ericka Neville nominated REACHcycles for this special donation, while Chris Lavach presented the check as part of the celebratory event on August 6, 2017. What a touching event it was to see all of the children receive and ride their adapted cycl...

The Consumer Protection Bureau has developed an amazing resource called Your Money, Your Goals . The aim of this program is to help individuals gain financial independence through strategy, planning and goal setting.  Feeling out of control of your own situation is something that many individuals who receive Social Security experience.  At The Choice Group, we offer benefits counseling so you know exactly how your benefits will be affected by employment.  We set goals to maintain them while supplementing your income through employment or figure out how to reach complete financial independence - it depends on you!  These tools work in quite the same way, letting you choose your path to independence and the freedom of choice! These tools and more can be found at consumerfinance.gov !

We are always trying to stay on the leading edge of incentive programs, offerings and educational training like the WISE (Work Incentives Seminar Events) webinars to better serve our community with disabilities.  Listen to The Choice Group's Vice President, Sherman Gifford, along with other presenters on how to take advantage of these opportunities!  WISE webinars are online events held for people who are age 18 through 64 and receive Social Security Disability benefits. You'll learn about the Ticket to Work Program and available Work Incentives through accessible learning opportunities. WISE webinars are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month Learn more about these events, participation, and registration here:  http://bit.ly/2lGDMXa

Next Round of the National Beneficiary Survey Begins in February 2017 ( http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/nbs.html ) The Social Security Administration will launch the next round of the National Beneficiary Survey (NBS) in February 2017. The NBS is an important survey sponsored by the Social Security Administration to collect information about beneficiaries and recipients with disabilities. We need your help! If a beneficiary asks you about the NBS, please encourage them to participate in this very important survey. The NBS collects information on the programs and services used by beneficiaries and recipients with disabilities, their health, and any employment goals they may have. SSA will use this information to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of beneficiaries that are not available from our administrative records. We use the information to assess how well our programs are meeting the needs of disability beneficiaries and developing policy. The ...

Warren “Buddy” Blatz started with The Choice Group over three years ago as a Vocational Counselor in the Charlottesville and Culpeper areas. Buddy has “mad” skills on the golf green and has supported TCG in many VRA sponsored events, playing golf with collaborative agencies across the state. Buddy began as both a Vocational Counselor and as a Work Incentive Specialist and has since supported hundreds of clients in determining their needs regarding benefits from the SSA and gaining employment. This month, Buddy has obtained the promotion to a Lead Vocational Counselor and he will continue to grow in his leadership and training of staff within the Central Region. Buddy is irreplaceable and we are appreciative of his wit and humor, his laidback attitude, and his adept problem-solving skills. Way to go Buddy!