Daily record
The five checks for Thursday, November 12, 2026
- VA caregiver stipend: older enrollees protected to 2028; new applicants are a separate group
Caregivers VA approved by Sept 30, 2020, or who applied before Oct 1, 2020, keep their eligibility through Sept 30, 2028, with limited exceptions. Their stipend won't be cut by a reassessment during that time. New applicants are a different group, so families should know which group they are in before setting expectations.
- Storm-season scams: check the contractor's license before you hire
Florida's licensing agency says storm scams often appear quickly after a disaster. Be cautious if someone demands full payment upfront, pressures you to act immediately, cannot provide a valid Florida DBPR license, offers to "handle" insurance claims for you, or asks for cash only. Always check a license before hiring and report suspected unlicensed work. The DBPR Pensacola Regional Office is at 160 West Government Street, Suite 501, phone (850) 595-0143.
- Enroll by Nov 18 for online COLA notice
SSA says account holders who enroll in paperless notices by November 18 can see their COLA notice online in mySocial Security starting in late November, up to three weeks earlier than paper mail. Medicare enrollees will also see the 2027 premium amount in Message Center starting in late November. Paper COLA notices still go out in December for people not on paperless notices.
- Santa Rosa County's home repair programs both have a waitlist
Santa Rosa County lists two repair programs for low-income homeowners: a federal HOME program and a state SHIP (state housing repair) emergency repair program. The county page says a wait-list exists for each one. The Housing Department is at 6051 Old Bagdad Highway in Milton. Its phone is 850-981-7076.
- Got a 'Veterans Savings Program' postcard? VA says it is a scam
VA warns about fake postcards saying you or your spouse are owed 'extra VA benefits' or additional payments, whatever your VA disability rating. Do not call the number on the postcard. Never give your Social Security number, bank account details or other personal information over the phone or on the internet. When in doubt, call VA directly at 1-800-827-1000.