We are excited to celebrate a significant milestone for mySocial Security: 60 million registrations! We thank each of you who took the time to create a personal mySocial Security account — and encouraged others to do the same.  We keep improving our online services to make doing business wit…

Navigating your own mental wellness can be hard, but helping to navigate mental health challenges of a friend or loved one can be even trickier. Suicide is often an uncomfortable topic and can be difficult for others to speak about, but what if we had more of these conversations? What if we …

This coming Monday is Labor Day. It is a day to commemorate the efforts of all workers regardless of their occupation or position in a company.  Labor Day is a great day to send a message and thank employees for their contributions at work. As we celebrate a day off, I want to say thank you …

This is my fifth update to the citizens of the 111th district, as your State Representative. This has been a very busy summer! While the spring legislative session wrapped up on June 1st, the constituent work in the district continues all year long. I have spent the summer doing legislative …

Here’s a secret about physical activity that you should know and share: Even a small amount can give your health a boost.

1 Peter 2:5 states, “You, also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.” (NIV) 

Millions of Americans who get monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments need help managing their money, and may need a representative payee.  A representative payee is a person or an organization we appoint to receive and manage a person’s benefits.

We continue to make it easier for you to access our programs and benefits.  Our website offers a convenient way to apply for benefits online.  

In our social media-driven world, it’s the big stories and the spectacular images that can often grab the most attention. And it’s not just in topics like news, politics or sports, but also in areas that are more personal, like health and wellness. Spend just a few minutes scrolling through …

I was at Girl Scout camp this past week and I watched the daily closing of the camp and the retiring of Old Glory. The girls were so respectful as they retired the colors. I began to think about patriotism and what it means to me. Patriotism consists not in the waving of the flag, but in str…

Like Nat King Cole sang, “Get your kicks on Route 66.”

This is my fourth update to the citizens of the 111th District, as your state representative. There is so much to cover, as the spring legislative session came to a close on May 31. I delayed writing this report as I wanted to discuss the comprehensive energy legislation that I expected to b…

Celebrating our nation’s independence every year on July 4 is a point of joy and pride. For more than 85 years, our programs have helped provide financial independence to millions of hardworking people.  We have three useful online tools to help you achieve the financial independence you des…

Mindfulness is being aware of your own thoughts and feelings. According to Dr. Janet Taylor, community psychiatrist for Centerstone, “Mindfulness goes beyond simply recognizing what is happening in your mind — it also involves being able to accept those thoughts and feelings.”

Sometimes the things that we know will benefit us most are the hardest things to make ourselves do. Taking an important first step can be extremely difficult and even terrifying, depending on what it is. But deep down, we know that it will lead us down a beautiful path of hope and healing.

When meeting Springfield resident Tom Jones on the street or in a restaurant, you could always count on an infectious smile and a hearty laugh. It said a lot about Jones’ character, for those who knew about his past could only marvel at his buoyant optimism and friendly nature.

A recent trip to central Madison County to visit a fairly new Mexican joint made for a fun experience.

People who struggle with low-income, limited English proficiency, homelessness, or with mental illness have historically relied on meeting with us in person at our local offices to get the help they need. Currently, Social Security offices are open only for in-person appointments for limited…

This is my third monthly update to the citizens of District 111, as your state representative.

For the return of Secret Diner, I wanted to visit a staple in the Riverbend with some stellar grub, so I ventured to a longtime pizzeria in north-central Madison County.

We know what goes on in our minds when we feel stressed. For some, stressful situations are met with thoughts about the worst possible outcome. For others, stress boosts motivation, helping them focusing on important deadlines or getting housework done. It is normal to experience stress in r…

Social work is a critically needed profession that helps people break down barriers and achieve optimal living.