ThroughVol. 5, No. 4, Fall 2016 the local 26 IBEW-NE CA jo in t trust Fu n dsWIRE

Recognizing Addiction You don’t need to battle it alone

ALSO INSIDE: Get the facts about Zika Dear Participant, It’s hard not to be political these days. Our nation is in the throes of one of the most heated Presidential elections in recent memory. The two leading candidates seem to, if nothing else, be drawing some very polarizing opinions from the American public. Almost everyone can agree that this election, rather than uniting our nation, has drawn very distinct lines in the sand. This is really no surprise as there is nothing that these two candidates share in common. Their leadership style, their experience, and their agendas for our country are vastly different. And while I recognize that our members and their families also have vastly different beliefs and issues of importance, I also know that there are at least a few things that unite us all—the desire for a secure retirement and the peace of mind that comes from a comprehensive health care plan for ourselves and our families. This Presidential election is also different from other elections because the composition of the Supreme Court will rest in the hands of the next President. There is already one vacancy that will need to be filled by a Presidential appointment and given the age of some of the currently residing justices, there will likely be more positions to be filled. Why should the Supreme Court bench matter to you? Because the Supreme Court can make rulings that can have a far-reaching impact—on your rights as a union member, on your retirement savings, and on the health benefits you have come to rely upon. I cannot urge you strongly enough to think about, from every angle, the vote you are about to cast this November. Think about the bigger picture and the power our next President will have to affect your way of life. And, most importantly, remember that every vote—YOUR VOTE—matters! Vote with your wallet and your benefits in mind.

Peter Klein Fund Manager Contents Through the Wire is a publication of the Local 26 IBEW-NECA Joint Trust Funds Fund Manager: Peter Klein Writer/Editor: Jennifer Shure Graphic Design: GO! Creative, LLC, 3 Understanding Addiction www.go-creative.net Printing: Kelly Press, Inc. Avoiding Dangerous For more information, 8  go to www.ewtf.org Drug Interactions http://www.ewtf-wellnessworks.org

Follow us on 10 The Facts About Zika Facebook by searching 26JTF and on Twitter by searching IBEW26TrustFund 12 Social Security’s Hidden Features

2 Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 Overcoming Addiction When It’s Out of Your Control Addiction is not a battle of willpower; it’s an illness.

erhaps the saddest fact about There are countless addictions— foods, for example, or even taking addiction is that it can easily alcohol, drugs (both legal and a medication prescribed by a physi- Pgo unnoticed, by friends, co- illegal), food, sex, gambling, shop- cian, which is why addictions can workers and even family members. ping, the list goes on. The defini- be disguised as a “normal” behav- The tricky thing about addiction tion of an addiction is the inability ior. Addictions can be fed right out is that it is not necessarily illegal. to control what you are doing, in the open among family, friends Too often we think of an addict as taking or using and typically and co-workers. someone hiding in back alleys us- there is a psychological or physi- Addiction changes the normal ing illegal drugs. The truth is that cal component to the behavior. In function of the brain. When an ad- there are many addicts who are fact, this psychological or physical dict uses or abuses their substance “functioning” members of society, component is what separates an of choice (alcohol, drugs, food) or gainfully employed, married with addiction from a habit. A habit is engages in an addictive activity a family, perhaps even a member done by choice and a person can (shopping, sex, gambling) their of your labor union. Addiction usually stop if they want to but an brain is flooded with the chemical knows no gender, race, age, or so- addiction is simply out of a per- messenger dopamine which travels cioeconomic distinction. And, there son’s control. Many addictions are to the “reward circuit” of the brain is no shame in seeking help for an actually normal societal behaviors to create a feeling of pleasure. Do- addiction. taken to an extreme level, such pamine is like the spark that kick j as enjoying a cocktail or certain

Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 3 Overcoming Addiction

starts the feeling of pleasure in the Remember, it is just as important to lock away your prescription brain. Addicts crave the intensity of medications as it is your alcohol from curious kids and teens. And, this feeling so they ramp up their addictive behaviors or partake in clean out your medicine cabinets regularly, throwing away expired these behaviors more often to feel prescriptions and familiarizing yourself with the medications you even more of that “high.” However, the brain adjusts and to balance have in your house so you will know immediately if any drugs go things out it creates less dopamine missing. Be sure to properly dispose of expired and unused prescrip- and/or reduces the ability of the “reward center” in the brain to tion medications. DO NOT flush the prescription down the toilet respond to the dopamine. This is as the drugs will make their way into a drinking water system. Visit commonly known as a tolerance. the Drug Enforcement Agency’s website at www.deadiversion.usdoj. Tolerance forces the addict to use more or engage more often in order gov/drug_disposal/index.html to locate a drug disposal location. to feel any pleasure.

Addiction affects the brain in other much as they want to to feed their lems associated with addiction. The ways as well. Functions such as addiction and the law cannot stop entire situation can cause stress, learning, judgment, decision-mak- them. However, legality and safety anxiety and depression. And, an ing, coping with stress, memory, are two very separate things. Just oft forgotten group of victims are and behavior are also compro- because you won’t be put in the parents of an addict as they too mised. jail for drinking too much, suffer. Older parents, in particular, for example, so long as you sometimes become enablers by don’t break the law while providing money to the addict and doing it, does not mean that forcing themselves down a path behavior is safe. of financial suffering themselves. Parents of addicts may feel guilt The effects of drug and and shame and turn to prescription alcohol abuse, the two drugs and alcohol themselves to most common addictions, cope. can extend far beyond the person suffering with the Addiction also affects co-workers addiction. The toll these who are forced to carry more of addictions take on a the workload when the addict is family are tremendous. unable to fulfill their work obliga- Children living with a tions. And, in some professions, parent suffering from especially in construction, when addiction often try to fill an addict shows up to work with in as the role of parent, especially impaired judgement they are put- Unless a person with a younger sibling, but even ting the health and safety of their is abusing illegal drugs or smok- with the spouse or partner of the co-workers at risk. ing or drinking under age, there addict. Ultimately this role forces a is nothing illegal about an addic- Although addiction can stay well child to grow up more quickly. The tion. It is only when that addic- hidden for a long time, signs and spouse or partner of an addict is tion results in a crime or injury to symptoms, both psychological and also forced to take on more respon- another person does the addiction physical, do eventually present sibilities that the addict can no become a legal issue. So, a person themselves. Family and friends longer handle or be relied upon for. can smoke, drink, shop and eat as may not see the signs right away, There are also often financial prob- may excuse the signs as normal

4 Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 Overcoming Addiction behavior that everyone does or want to believe that the addict has everything under control because they too are in denial for their loved one.

The psychological symptoms in- clude:

 Seeing drugs and alcohol as the solution, not the problem

 Always being preoccupied with obtaining drugs or alcohol

 Stealing or selling possessions to obtain drugs or alcohol

 Being anxious, irritable, de- pressed

 Withdrawing from others  Problems functioning, such as The physical problems include: poor job performance, failure  Sleeping problems  Losing interest in school or hob- to fulfill family responsibilities, bies that were once pleasurable difficulty in relationships with  Health problems; often sick friends and others  Socializing with others who  Needing more drugs or alcohol abuse drugs or alcohol  Engaging in dangerous behavior for the same effect such as driving while intoxicated  Mood swings  Weight loss or weight gain

 Using substances first thing in the morning

When One Thing Leads to Another  Irritation when someone is criti- cal of the substance abuse

 Difficulty keeping up with bills Sometimes when a person develops an addiction, other disorders and ill- nesses also present themselves. This is called comorbidity. Drug addiction  Inability to get to work on time and some mental illnesses are often comorbid. For example, compared to or perform a job the general population, people who are addicted to drugs are about twice Since addicts rarely ever recog- as likely to suffer from mood or anxiety disorders. The reverse also holds nize their own addiction and the true; those who suffer from mental illness are more prone to addiction. negative impact their behaviors are The comorbidity results when patients try to self-medicate with alcohol, having on those around them, it is tobacco or other drugs. critical that family, friends and co- Furthermore, some addicts end up replacing one addiction with another. workers say something if they see An alcoholic may “trade up” to drugs if they say they are trying to quit an addiction taking hold. Excuses drinking or if the alcohol is no longer providing them with the desired such as “It’s none of my business,” “high” they are seeking. or “I wouldn’t want someone tell- ing me what to do,” or “I’m sure It is important to recognize that an addict has the ability to become ad- their family would say something dicted to any number of behaviors so long as the behavior provides them if it were that bad,” are just ways of j with a high.

Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 5 Overcoming Addiction

turning your back on someone in need of help.

Business Health Services (BHS), our employee assistance provider, is the perfect place to start seeking help for you or someone you love. BHS is staffed with care coordinators 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is a benefit service offered at no ad- ditional charge to Local 26 mem- bers, their family members and even non-family members who are living in the same house as a mem- ber. Care coordinators can assist with a mental health evaluation and referrals to the appropriate level of care. To speak with a care coordinator, call 800-327-2251. Ad- the brain is altered by the addic- treatment medicines coupled with ditionally, BHS also offers valuable tion and the chronic disease label behavioral therapy. It is impor- resources online at bhsonline.com is due to the fact that the addiction tant to seek professional help in via the "My BHS Portal" tab at the will likely need to be managed for treating an addiction. Depending top of the page. years or possibly an entire lifetime on the addiction, withdrawal side Addiction is considered both a to prevent relapse. Treatment of effects can be very serious, even mental illness and a chronic dis- an addiction varies from addiction life threatening, if not under the ease. The mental illness component to addiction and from person to care of a medical professional. Side presents itself in the way in which person but can include addiction effects can range from mild anxi- ety and shakiness to seizures and delirium tremors (known as DTs) resulting in confusion, rapid heart- Why Me? beat and fever.

Treating an addiction is a com- If only it were that easy to predict who among us could become ad- mitment on the part of the addict dicted to drugs. This is part of a dangerous unknown with addiction. and on the part of the family and Addiction is influenced by a number of risk factors—biology, environ- friends in their life. An addict needs ment and development. Biology refers to the genes we are born with the full support of those around and those genes account for about half of a person’s risk factor for them to create environments where addiction. A person’s environment includes their family and friends, they are not tempted to relapse into economic status and quality of life. Peer pressure, physical and sexual their addictive behaviors. There is a abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress and parental guidance can have support group for just about every a big impact on a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction. Finally, kind of addiction and the sense of a person’s development can determine the likelihood of addiction. It community these groups provide is believed that the earlier a person uses drugs the greater the chance have been proven to be very ben- it will progress into an addiction. Since areas of the brain that control eficial in the recovery process. A decision-making, judgment and self-control are still developing well medical professional will be able to into the teenage years, teens are especially prone to engaging in risky help guide you to the right support ■ behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. group for you.

6 Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 Overcoming Addiction SocialAPRIL Drinking versus Problem Drinking

Alcohol is America’s favorite mood-altering drug. It is considered a drug because it depresses the central nervous system and can disrupt mental and motor skills, as well as damage internal organs when used excessively. Alco- hol can be harmful both physically and economically. Health and Wellness

Some people can drink liquor for hours on end and stay sober, others • Driving while drunk. become tipsy after just one drink. So how can you tell if you or some- • Doing something under the influence of alcohol he or she would one else is a problem drinker? not otherwise do. “If a person drinks repeatedly and the drinking causes person- • Getting in trouble with the law or injuring himself or herself as a al, professional or family problems, they may have the disease of consequence of drinking. alcoholism,” says Hamilton Beazley, Ph.D., a psychologist and former • Problems at school, with social relationships, or family problems president of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Depen- due to the drinking. dence Inc. “When alcoholics drink, they can’t always predict how much they will drink, when they will stop, or what they will do while drinking. And it is common for alcoholics to deny the negative effects What You Can Do of drinking or that they even have a problem.” There are several ways you can help someone who might have a drinking problem: The Effects of Alcohol • Learn more about alcoholism through state and local councils on Alcohol can lessen tension, reduce inhibitions and ease social alcoholism, libraries, local hospitals, and religious groups. interaction. When used in excess, however, it can be physically and psychologically addicting, cause impaired memory, coordination and • Treat alcoholism as a disease. Avoid viewing alcoholism as a moral judgment, damage the heart, liver and nervous system and lead to failure or lack of will power. birth defects. The abuser also places himself or herself and others at • Be understanding, but don’t become an “enabler” by protecting or risk if he or she drives or operates machinery after drinking too much. lying for an alcoholic, or denying the problem exists. • Encourage treatment. Safe Drinking • Respect the recovered alcoholic’s choice to avoid alcohol. If you drink alcohol, there are steps you can take to minimize risks.

• Eat 15 minutes before drinking to help slow alcohol absorption. • Don’t drink when you are under stress, emotionally upset, or feel- ing tired. • Know when to stop. • Don’t mix alcohol with drugs.

Signs of Problem Drinking If you suspect someone you care about has a drinking problem, look for these symptoms:

• Frequent uncontrolled drinking episodes. • Excessive drinking to the point of intoxication. • Going to work drunk or drinking on the job.

Please note: The information provided in this document is intended for educational purposes only. Readers with questions or a need for further assistance are strongly encouraged to contact BHS at the website listed below. Content courtesy of Krames Staywell, ©2015, on behalf of LifeAdvantages.

800-327-2251 www.BHSonline.com

Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 7 WELLNESSDRUG WORSAFKS ETY

Safe Prescription Drug Use Means Knowing About Potentially Dangerous Interactions

tudies from the world-re- diminish a drug’s effectiveness, can Consuming alcohol with any Snowned Mayo Clinic in Min- cause harmful and/or prolonged medication, prescription or over- nesota show that 70% of Ameri- side effects, and can even trans- the-counter, is simply never a safe cans take at least one prescription form some drugs into toxic chemi- idea. Not only does alcohol have its medication daily, about half of cals that can cause organ damage. own set of side effects that need to all Americans take two daily be monitored, alcohol can inten- While many medications are pre- medications and twenty percent of sify the side effects of prescription scribed to be taken with food (often Americans are on five or more pre- medications and increase the risk to reduce stomach upset), quite a scriptions. And, this doesn’t even of complications. Mixing alcohol few mainstream foods can be a dan- address over-the-counter drug use. and medications can cause nausea, gerous pairing with certain medica- vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, When a doctor prescribes a medica- tions. For example, grapefruit juice fainting and loss of coordina- tion, most people fill the prescrip- can have dangerous consequences tion, and can increase your risk of tion and follow the dosing instruc- when paired with blood-pressure internal bleeding, heart problems tions as prescribed by the doctor. lowering drugs or cyclosporine, and difficulty in breathing. Com- Rarely do patients take the time to which is used to prevent organ bining alcohol with medications read the ingredients and inquire if transplant rejection. Grapefruit juice can interfere with concentration and how those ingredients might has been found to increase the lev- and decrease alertness, making it interact with certain foods, alcohol, els of these medicines in the body, dangerous to perform such tasks or supplements. Drug interactions increasing the chances of harmful as operating machinery or driving are a very real concern for every- side effects. The juice also causes a vehicle. Antihistamines, such as one who takes any prescription or high blood levels of other medica- over-the-counter Benedryl, when over-the-counter medication but tions, including some anti-anxiety combined with alcohol can cause especially so for the elderly, who medications, anti-malaria drugs sedation and excessive dizziness. are the largest user group of daily and certain sleep aids. Licorice has The same holds true for narcotic medications and perhaps the least been found to increase the toxic- pain relievers prescribed to treat likely to ask important questions of ity of Lanoxin which is prescribed moderate or severe pain often their doctors. to treat congestive heart failure post surgery as well as sleeping and abnormal heart rhythms, and Even the most common over-the- aids. Alcohol increases the risk found to decrease the effectiveness counter and prescription medica- for overdosing and can also alter of certain blood-pressure drugs tions can have serious interactions the effectiveness and duration of and diuretics. Chocolate, due to its with food, alcohol and supple- many medications, such as certain caffeine content, as well as, aged ments. When a medication enters antibiotics, certain anti-diabetic cheese, sausage, bologna, pepperoni the body it must travel through the medications and certain cardiovas- and salami, should not be taken bloodstream to reach its desired cular medications. It is important with MAO inhibitors, which are location to treat an organ or tissue. to note that alcohol can interact drugs used to treat depression. These As a drug is metabolized by the with medications if you swallow foods combined with MAO inhibi- body’s enzymes its effects are di- your medication with alcohol, tors can cause elevated blood pres- minished and the drug is eventual- drink alcohol after you’ve taken sure. Chocolate, in particular, can ly eliminated from the body. Food, your medication or take medica- also increase the effect of the stimu- alcohol and supplements can affect tion after you’ve had alcohol. lant drug Ritalin while decreasing a drug’s ability to reach its site of the effect of certain sedatives, such Use of dietary supplements has action, can dangerously prolong or as Ambien. been consistently on the rise

8 Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 WDRUGELLNESS WOSAFERTYKS

Before taking any prescription medication speak with your doctor and pharmacist and ask:

H Can I take it with other drugs?

H Should I avoid certain foods, beverages or other products?

H What are possible drug interaction signs I should know about?

H How will the drug work in my body?

H Is there more information available about the drug or my condition (on the Internet or in health and medical literature)?

among American adults but de- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory tions and share information with spite being considered “natural” drugs such as ibuprofen and their health care providers. they too can pose serious compli- naproxen. When combined with When taking any prescription cations with many medications. MAO inhibitors, Ginseng can medication it is critical to know Supplements include vitamins, cause headaches, trouble sleeping, everything you can about it. Know minerals, amino acids, herbs or nervousness and hyperactivity. the medication’s side effects; dosing botanicals. The supplement St. Ginkgo Biloba, an herb that has instructions; potential food, alcohol John’s Wort which is used to induce been around for centuries that has and supplement interactions; and liver enzymes can reduce the been used to treat everything from purpose/usage. It is also impor- concentration of cardiovascular memory disorders to asthma could tant to always know what specific medications and cholesterol lower- decrease the effectiveness of some medications you are taking. It is not ing medications. Vitamin E, which seizure medications. enough to just know the drug class is used for a wide variety of things Also remember that many drugs as not all medications within a spe- ranging from diabetes and cancer can have adverse reactions with cific class of drugs react in the same to complications in pregnancy and each other. With a large percent- way. Write down the names of the skin disorders, can increase anti- age of Americans taking at least medications you are currently tak- clotting activity in people taking two prescription medications, this ing and the medications you have the blood thinner Coumadin and increases the risk of a potentially taken in the past and share that put patients at an increased risk of dangerous drug to drug interaction. information with your loved ones bleeding. Ginseng, which is used to Again, this is a serious concern and with all of your health care pro- boost immunity and reduce blood with the elderly who typically take viders. And, if you care for anyone sugar levels, can also increase the multiple medications, sometimes who is on prescription medications, likelihood of bleeding when taking get confused about their medica- be sure they make the same infor- Coumadin, heparin, aspirin and tions and are less likely to ask ques- mation available to you as well. ■

Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 9 WELLZikNESSa: Myth vsWO. FaRcKSt

THE TRUTH about ZIKA VIRUS

his summer as the hype began The EPA notes that any insect repellent specifically labeled to build about the Olympics so to protect against mosquitos in general or Aedes mosquitos too did fears about the mosqui- T in particular is the right repellent to guard against Zika. The to-borne Zika virus. The games drew closer and many athletes dropped Centers for Disease Control states that consumers should look out because of concerns about Zika, for products containing DEET, Picaridin (which is also known as which had taken hold in Brazil and KBR 3023, Bayrepel and icaridin), oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or many other parts of South America para-menthane-diol (PMD), or IR3535. and the Caribbean. The Olym- pics went on, medal counts ticked Special precautions, however, must be taken with young children higher and records were broken, and insect repellents! Do not use any insect repellent on and all the while the reality that babies younger than two months old and do not use products Zika would find its way to the U.S. containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane- loomed large. diol (PMD) on children younger than three years old. Do not So yes, the Zika virus, as expected, apply repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or any cut or has made its way to the U.S. but what does that really mean for the irritated skin. Call your physician immediately if there is any general population. After all, the exposure to these repellents! Olympics, in Zika-heavy Brazil, carried on with great excitement have abnormally small heads and The CDC has also identified some and fanfare and the athletes were various developmental delays. The other facts about the virus, namely able to compete, spectators were birth defects from Zika are very real. the way in which it is transmitted. able to cheer on their teams and The virus is known to be transmitted In addition to Zika being linked to tourism was able to flourish. It ap- through the bite of an infected Aedes birth defects, the Centers for Disease pears that most people were able species mosquito, and subsequently Control (CDC) acknowledges that to carry on, likely with a few small from mother to child and via sexual the virus may be linked to the rare lifestyle modifications, but carry on relations between partners. The CDC Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a with their lives nonetheless. states that Zika can be passed via disorder of the nervous system that sex before, during and after a person As Zika is relatively new on the pub- is usually temporary. However, only with Zika experiences any symp- lic radar here in the U.S. there are, a very small percentage of Zika toms. There are currently investiga- understandably, many fears and patients contract GBS. tions into possible transmissions of myths circling about. It is impor- the virus via blood transfusion and tant to separate fact from fiction. laboratory exposure. Make no mistake, Zika should be Another fact about Zika is the way in taken seriously. It is a virus that is which it presents itself. Often is the especially dangerous to pregnant case that the symptoms of the virus women and their unborn children. are very mild despite the belief by This is not a myth; it’s a fact. Zika many that the Zika virus is complete- has been found to be the cause of ly debilitating if contracted. The most a specific birth defeat called micro- common symptoms are fever, rash, cephaly, which causes babies to joint pain, conjunctivitis, muscle

10 Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 Zika: MytF h vs. Fact

pain and headache—symptoms is currently no specific medicine or repellent and always follow the that are often compared to the flu. vaccine for Zika, treatment of the product’s label instructions. However, while flu symptoms can virus is focused on simply treat-  Control the mosquito popula- be quite severe and can even cause ing the symptoms. This includes tion inside your home and out death, Zika’s symptoms are mild getting plenty of rest, staying hy- by removing standing water (in and sometimes there are no symp- drated, and taking acetaminophen tires, buckets, planters, pools, toms at all. The CDC believes that (Tylenol) or paracetamol to reduce birdbaths, trash containers) the virus can, however, remain in fever and pain (do not take aspirin, where mosquitos can lay eggs, a person’s system for quite a while for fear of bleeding, until Dengue, and kill mosquitos outside by us- after infection and after symptoms which is also spread by mosquitos, ing an outdoor insect spray and (if any) have disappeared. It is rec- is ruled out by your doctor). inside by using an insect fogger ommended that men who have had While controlling a mosquito or inside insect spray. the virus abstain from unprotected population may seem like a larger sex for six months to reduce the risk  Use mosquito netting to cover task than any one of us could of spreading the virus. But, unlike babies in carriers and strollers possibly take on, the truth is that the flu, it is believed that once you when outside. collectively we can take significant have had the Zika virus you are steps in preventing the spread of  Use a condom or refrain from sex protected against contracting it Zika and the likelihood of contract- to prevent sexual transmission. again. ing the disease. With the threat of any virus, com- It is important though to see your  Wear long-sleeved shirts and mon sense must prevail. Be aware doctor if you think you might have long pants. of the risks and your environment, the virus—if you have symptoms especially if you are pregnant or and have traveled to an area  Stay in places with air condi- will be trying to conceive, and be known to have Zika—so the virus tioning and window and door aware of any symptoms that may can be tracked and you can be screens to keep mosquitos out. present themselves. Take the simple aware of your risk of spreading it.  Use an Environmental Protection steps outlined above to keep you A simple blood or urine test can Agency (EPA)-registered insect and your family safe. ■ confirm a Zika infection. As there

Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 11 WESLLociNESSal SecurWORityKS Little Known Features of Social Security

ocial Security is a benefit all working Americans culmination of seven public hearings that were held pay into and ultimately draw upon at some around the country to compile a comprehensive list Spoint in their life. It also provides benefits to and gather medical information on the most com- disabled Americans; the dependents of retired, dis- mon and challenging medical conditions. Input was abled or deceased workers; and the widows/widowers provided by medical and scientific experts as well as of Social Security recipients. Receiving Social Security professionals from the National Institutes of Health benefits is literally a lifesaver for many Americans, the (NIH). The list includes everything from rare diseases, only thing keeping them above the poverty line. How- cancers and traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer’s Dis- ever, navigating all that Social Security has to offer ease, cardiovascular disease, organ transplants and and the intricacies of the program can be daunting. autoimmune diseases.

Few people know that Social Security has what’s called Those who can prove they suffer from one of the “extra dimensions” which are little-known services conditions on the Compassionate Allowance List can the program offers to its customers—services to make receive approval for benefits in weeks rather than the it easier to receive Social Security payments, to com- typical wait time of months or even years. municate with the Social Security Administration, and International Social Security Agree- even to financially manage Social Security benefits. ments: Many countries have a national retirement Think of these extra dimensions as ways the Social and disability benefit like Social Security funded Security administration is going above and beyond through payroll deductions. Therefore, it becomes a for its recipients. Some of these extra dimensions may little tricky when an American works overseas in a make it easier for you to understand and receive your country that deducts a tax similar to our Social Secu- Social Security benefits. rity tax, and vice versa when a foreign worker comes Compassionate Allowances: The Compas- to work in the States, because both scenarios create sionate Allowances List came about many years ago a double payroll taxation on wages and neither as it became apparent that the long scenario typically generates enough credits in the wait times for decisions on foreign country to qualify for benefits. To address this, disability applications were the Social Security Administration negotiated agree- posing a hardship on those ments with 25 countries that have programs similar to who were gravely ill. our Social Security program so that a worker will only Applicants who have pay taxes into one country’s program at a time. When any one of the 225 the worker seeks retirement, he/she can pool the cred- conditions on the its they earned, including those earned in a foreign list can receive country’s benefits system, into one benefits program. expedited service Social Security honors the credits earned by an Ameri- from the Social can worker in a foreign country. Security Interpretation Services: Social Security of- Administration fers interpretation services for free. The agency offers in processing translation from: Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, their appli- Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hmong, cation for Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Portuguese, Polish, benefits. The Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. list is the For a Spanish interpreter press 7 upon calling So-

12 Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 WELLNESSSocial WORKSSecurity Little Known Features of

cial Security (800-772-1213). For all other languages remain silent during the automated prompts and a representative will bring an interpreter on the line. Ac- cess to an interpreter is also offered in Social Security local offices. In addition to providing answers to frequently asked questions, the Social Security Administra- Social Security Number for New Babies: tion offers a number of services online so you You can request a Social Security number for your don’t have to trek to your local Social Security new baby right in the hospital. There's no need to call office location. Social Security or visit a local office. Remember, your child will eventually need a Social Security number Once you create a “My Social Security” account for a number of things but you may need that num- you can: ber right away to claim your child as a dependent on ➽ Request a replacement Social Security card your tax returns, open a bank account for your child, buy savings bonds for your child, get medical insur- ➽ Apply for Social Security benefits ance coverage for your child or apply for government ➽ Get your Social Security statement

➽ Appeal a decision

➽ Find out if you qualify for benefits

➽ Estimate your future benefits

➽ Request a replacement Medicare card

➽ Set up direct deposit

➽ Change your address

➽ Receive a benefit verification letter for Social Security, Medicare and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

➽ Block online and automated telephone ac- services for your child. In addition to these items, cess to Social Security information about you the Fund Office requires a newborn’s Social Security number as soon as it is available. Go to the Social Security Administration’s web- site at www.ssa.gov. Click on the “menu” tab Baby naming assistance: Perhaps one of the at the top of the page and click on the “online most unusual services Social Security offers is assis- services” link on the left side. On the “online tance in naming your baby. The agency keeps a list of services” page you will also see the link on popular baby names so if you are coming up empty the right side to create a “My Social Security” on a name for your new bundle of joy, Social Security account. may be able to help. ■

Through the WIRE | Fall 2016 13

Healthd Fairgs

EWTF Health Fair a Popular Stop at the Local 26 Picnics

he EWTF was proud to host its annual health Tfairs at the Local 26 picnics this past summer in Edgewater, MD, and Manassas, VA. We are always happy to see the many familiar faces who make a visit through our health fair a regular part of their afternoon at the union picnics. And, of course, we love to see new faces, young and young at heart, make their way through our exhibit hall as well.

This year we featured a variety of vendors and partners who offered screenings, advice, and answers to many pressing health and benefits questions. The screenings for cholesterol, prostate specific antigen, blood glucose, blood pressure and body mass index proved to be popular again this year. Business Health Services offered the Der- maview screening, which is a melanoma screen- ing; while dentist Dr. Michael Doe of Virginia and dentists Dr. Eric Fooksman and Dr. Megan Bjorklund, both from Maryland, provided dental health screenings. Conifer, our disease manage- ment program provider, spoke with members about the importance of enrolling in the disease management program if/when a Conifer nurse reaches out to them. Representatives from VSP, Caremark, Cigna Dental and United Healthcare were on hand to answer any ben- efits-related questions. Advisors from Fidelity spoke with mem- bers about the Individual Ac- count Plan and good financial health in general.

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November also hosts the NOVEMBER IS... Great American Smokeout to encourage the 42 million American Diabetes Month Americans who still smoke Every 23 seconds someone in the U.S. is cigarettes and use tobacco to diagnosed with diabetes. Twenty-nine finally quit for good. This year’s million Americans have diabetes and smoke out is November 17th. It is another 86 million are at risk for getting never too late to quit. Quitting at it. Diabetes causes more deaths than AIDS any age can give you back years and breast cancer combined. You can of your life. prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, by maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy and being active.