You have probably heard about sequestration, the latest in the fiscal cliff saga that started late last year.  Although the term sounds complex, “sequestration” simply refers to automatic government spending cuts that are set to go into effect today, March 1, 2013.  These cuts will take $1.2 trillion out of the federal budget over the next 10 years.

The spending cuts will be spread across government agencies and will affect the budgets of various programs, including one that is vital to the elderly across the country: Meals on Wheels.  Meals on Wheels provides over one million hot meals every day to seniors in need.  They even deliver meals to the homes of those who have limited mobility.  Unfortunately, spending cuts will reduce the number of meals that can be delivered and hinder the program’s mission of ending senior hunger.

Meals on Wheels is as important in our area as anywhere else; Florida is in the top 10 states for senior hunger risk.  There are several agencies in Northeast Florida that participate in Meals on Wheels and together deliver hundreds of thousands of meals each year.

Sequestration was set to occur at the end of 2012, but was pushed back to March 1 as part of Congress’ year-end fiscal cliff deal.  Even if Congress “punts” again, and defers the spending cuts to later this year at the last minute, the elderly and their loved ones should be aware that these cuts likely will affect them eventually.  For more information, including how you can help, see:  http://www.mowaa.org/.

Please feel free to post comments on our Facebook or Twitter or to make an appointment if you have individual questions or concerns.

Cramer Law Center offers full, flat fee estate planning services including wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, health care surrogate designations, living wills, designations of preneed guardian, and more.

The next “Truth About Estate Planning” workshop will be held at the Cramer Law Center located at 4217 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 1, Jacksonville, Florida 32217 on March 5, 2013 at 10:45 a.m.  Please call us at (904) 448-9978 to reserve your seat.