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Image description: The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports...

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:37 -0400

Image description: The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic is the worlds largest learn-to-ski, adaptive winter sports rehabilitative event for U.S. military service veterans.

The clinic’s purpose is to motivate veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities to live life to the fullest. The clinic, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Disabled American Veterans took place in Snowmass, Colo. from March 31 - April 5.

Photo from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Learn the Benefits of Disability Income Insurance

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:27 -0400

By America’s Health Insurance Plans

In addition to helping cover lost wages, many disability insurers are also providing a different type of benefit that is making a positive impact in the lives of workers who have suffered a debilitating illness or injury. Through return-to-work programs, insurers are helping people with disabilities get back to work at jobs that sync with their skills, experience, and interests.

By collaborating with employers, insurers help create work environments and schedules that are modified for individuals’ unique circumstances. Return-to-work programs also focus on rehabilitation and equipping people with the skills they need to transition back to work and reach their individualized goals. Additional examples of the creative and innovative programs employed by disability insurers are documented in a report by America’s Health Insurance Plans.

Unfortunately, the risk of suffering a disability is much higher than most people are aware. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a male U.S. worker at age 35 faces a one-in-five chance of a disability taking him off his job for 90 days or longer. Before a 35-year-old woman reaches retirement age, she faces a nearly one-in-three risk of a disability lasting at least 90 days.

Disability insurance provides peace of mind to millions of individuals and their families, offering financial protection if an illness or injury takes them off the job. Employer-sponsored disability coverage provides income protection to more than 50 million employees for short-term disabilities and about 40 million employees for long-term disabilities. In 2010, long-term disability payments from private insurers to individuals with disabilities totaled more than $8.1 billion.

To learn more about the value of disability income insurance and the innovative programs helping individuals get back to work, go to www.yourincomeatrisk.org or download or order a free copy of “Guide to Disability Income Insurance.”

Oklahoma Tornadoes - Disaster Assistance and How You Can Help

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

For Disaster Victims

The following resources are available to people who were impacted by the Oklahoma tornadoes:

Apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Find an open shelter if you need a place to stay.
Let friends and family know you’re safe by registering at the Safe and Well Registry.
Talk to a counselor by calling the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. It’s free and confidential.

How to Help Disaster Victims

If you want to help the disaster victims, the State of Oklahoma has donation information available at OKStrong.

Prepare for Tornadoes

Tornadoes can strike at any time. Learn how to stay safe during tornado season and download the Red Cross tornado app for your mobile phone.

Read this information in Spanish.

Apply for Disaster Assistance

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:25:00 -0400

Apply for Disaster Assistance:

Disaster assistance is available to people impacted by the Oklahoma tornadoes. Apply online at disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.

Read this post in Spanish.

Image description: An illustration from The Rocket Book, an...

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:46 -0400

Image description: An illustration from The Rocket Book, an illustrated story published in 1912 that is now available to read online at Read.gov as part of the Library of Congress’s online rare books collection.

Find more books from the Library of Congress that you can read online at Read.gov.

Is Your U.S. Passport Up to Date?

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:36 -0400

If you plan to travel outside the United States, be sure to check your passport long before your trip. Routine processing times for passport services are 4-6 weeks (expedited services take approximately 2-3 weeks).

Renew Your Passport - Check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport expires before you plan to return to the United States, then you’ll need to get a new passport before you leave the U.S.

Apply for a Passport - If you are eligible for a U.S. passport and plan to travel abroad, get application instructions.

Change or Correct Your Passport - If you need to makes changes or corrections (due to a name change, for example) or add visa pages to your passport, see which forms you need to submit.

Report Your Lost or Stolen Passport - If your passport has been lost or stolen, report it as soon as you can. Call 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793) in the U.S., or contact the nearest U.S. embassy if you’re overseas.

Get Additional U.S. Passport Services - Look up passport fees, get the status of your passport application, find information about photo requirements, and more.

Search for Loved Ones, Let Friends and Family Know You're Safe

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Search for Loved Ones, Let Friends and Family Know You're Safe:

After a disaster, you can let your friends and family know you’re safe with this tool from the Red Cross. You can also search for family or friends who may have been affected by the disaster.

Read this post in Spanish.

After a Tornado

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:48:13 -0400

After a Tornado:

If you have friends or family who may have been affected by today’s tornadoes, please share these tips on how to stay safe after a tornado from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Image description: The Defense Advanced Research Projects...

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:34 -0400

Image description: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) “Robbie the Robot” playing a game without human direction. See more examples of how DARPA’s Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM) program is developing software to perform human-level tasks quickly and with minimal direction in this video on YouTube.

May Is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:23 -0400

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. This annual observance celebrates generations of Asians and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to American culture.

Visit the government’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month website to:

Find out how the observance originated in 1977.
View historic photos from the National Archives.
Learn about Asian-Pacific American veterans.
Get lesson plans and other educational resources.
And more!

National Click It Or Ticket Enforcement

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:41 -0400

National Click It Or Ticket Enforcement:

Buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself in a crash. Wear your seatbelt. It could save your life.

Image description: Wilbur, a U.S. Marine Corps military working...

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:41 -0400

Image description: Wilbur, a U.S. Marine Corps military working dog with a Marine special operations team, takes a break with his handler after successfully searching a build site for an Afghan Local Police (ALP) checkpoint. The ALP complemented counterinsurgency efforts by assisting and supporting rural areas with a limited Afghan National Security Forces presence.

Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau, U.S. Department of Defense

Find Ways to Support Military Members in Your Community

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:28 -0400

May honors all members of the United States Military as part of Military Appreciation Month. The national observance is a special time to thank and honor our troops, veterans and their families for their dedication to protecting our country.

This year’s theme of the month-long observance is “The United States Armed Forces: The Strength of the Red, White and Blue.”

Find ways you can support members of our military and learn more about events near you.

Prevent Asthma and Allergy Attacks in your Home

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Prevent Asthma and Allergy Attacks in your Home:

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Learn how you can prevent these attacks in your home.

Read this post in Spanish.

Image description: Scientist Dmitry Polyansky examines a vial...

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:47 -0400

Image description: Scientist Dmitry Polyansky examines a vial containing a specialized catalyst designed to help convert solar energy into fuel. Producing clean-burning hydrogen fuel from just sunlight and water requires custom-built catalysts for water oxidation — the part of the water-splitting process that generates oxygen atoms. A tiny amount of the solid catalyst, developed in collaboration with the University of Houston, dissolves and turns the water that lovely shade of blue.

Photo from Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Your Key to a Healthy Pregnancy

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:55:00 -0400

Looking for information you can trust during pregnancy and your baby’s first year?

The Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health and text4baby have teamed up to help moms-to-be find reliable health resources for their pregnancy.

Text4baby is the first free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health through text messaging. Women who text “BABY” (or “BEBE” for Spanish) to 511411 receive three free text messages a week, timed to their due date or their baby’s birth date, through pregnancy and up until the baby’s first birthday.

The FDA also provides tips on medicines, food safety, breast pumps and more for expectant moms.

Learn more about important conversations you should be having with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to increase the safety of your pregnancy by watching the video Resources for You and Your Baby.

If you have questions about having a healthy pregnancy, you can ask experts live during a Twitter chat, Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. To participate use the hashtag #pregchat.

Read this post in Spanish.

Get Ready For the New Health Insurance Marketplaces

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:16 -0400

Health Insurance Marketplaces are a key provision of the Affordable Care Act that can help you get health insurance regardless of income or health history. You can start exploring your options now, enroll in October, and start taking advantage of the benefits of your state Health Insurance Marketplace beginning in January 2014.

People looking for health insurance can shop and compare plans through the new Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as healthcare exchanges. The Health Insurance Marketplace will help you find insurance plans that cover medical services including preventive care, medicines, doctor and hospital visits.

Now is the time to learn about how they work, how to prepare for open enrollment, and what kind of insurance options are available to you right now.

The New Health Insurance Marketplace

Each state will have its own Health Insurance Marketplace, which you can access online (some are already available). The exchanges are designed to help you:

Figure out how to compare and get healthcare insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition or chronic health problem
Find the insurance plan that fits your budget. Some people might qualify for free or low-cost health insurance
Understand the enrollment process in a way that’s easy to read

Enrollment Begins October of 2013

The enrollment process begins October 1. But you can prepare by doing the following:

Individuals and families:
Get to know the different healthcare plans available in your state if the exchange has already been set up. Specifically, make sure you understand how the deductibles and co-pays work
Ask your employer if she plans to offer health insurance
Prepare a list of questions about your health coverage

Small business owners:
Get to know the different healthcare plans available so that you understand the differences in costs and services
Set a budget based on how much both you and your employees will spend on health insurance
Set a date to begin offering coverage that works best for your business and your employees

Your Insurance Options Now

You don’t have to wait until 2014 to get health coverage. There are several public programs available for families, including Medicare, Medicaid and low-cost insurance programs for children and adults.

HealthCare.gov has a tool to help you find insurance. You just need to answer a few questions about where you live and your current job situation.

Image description: From the U.S. Department of Interior: Not...

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:33 -0400

Image description:

From the U.S. Department of Interior:

Not all of our public lands are far from urban areas. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area chronicles two hundred years of history, from Native American culture, the Spanish Empire frontier and the Mexican Republic, to maritime history, and the California Gold Rush. It also provides some pretty killer views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco.

Photo: Justin Kern

Browse and Order Free Consumer Publications

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:27 -0400

Did you know the federal government publishes and distributes print and electronic publications for free on a wide-variety of consumer topics?

In fact, the Government Printing Office’s Pueblo Distribution Center hit a record in May by shipping its one billionth consumer publication since its opening in 1971.

Curious to see what kinds of publications the government produces? You can browse, order and download publications on everything from health to finance at Publications.USA.gov

Could I Have Lupus? : What is Lupus?

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:27 -0400

Could I Have Lupus? : What is Lupus?:

Lupus can be very difficult to diagnose so it’s important to know the symptoms. Learn what to look for.