1

Many Depressed

by Del Rrookn

Questions that come across my desk indicate that among the least known Social Security benefits are those payable to divorced persons, to adults disabled in childhood, and to the dependent parents of a worker. They are among the benefits generally payable to certain dependents of a retired or disabled worker or survivors of a deceased

worker.

Benefits may be paid to divorced persons at 62 if the marriage to the worker lasted 10 years or ’more ■ The surviving divorced spouse may qualify for widow or widower's benefits at age 60, or for disability benefits at age 60 ' or over under certain

*Froji> Page 34)

mg alone; divorced and separated persons tortured by memories of family Christmases past: single people who feel their aloneness most keenly during the Christmas

hokdays.

BUT HOLIDAY dejection and depression happen not only Unpeople who are living alone; they also happen to people who do have families. The problem for these people is not that they cannot make Christmas for themselves and their famines, but that, somehow, what they have does not measure up to the perfect Christmas they yearn to have, or that they imagine their childhood Christmases to have

been.

They experience a painfutand intense feeling of loss, of being left out, of "not having it as ^ood as other people have it.” This may produce nothing more than that uncomfortable state of mind we call the "holiday blues. " Or it may, for the more vulnerable people, result in a case of

clinical depression.

What can be done to reduce the likelihood of "holiday

blues” and depression during the holidays?

• OUR FIRST WORD is to those who do not have the problem of Christmas "blues” or depression. Be aware, please, that there are other people who do. There may be some of your own acquaintances-a distant relative living alone; a neighbor who has no family; a recently divdrced or separated person; a widovTatwidower whose children

live f®r away or who have no livirti^ldrcn; a student liv- circumstances '" mg away from home and*unable, for some reason, to go ADULTS DISABLED in homefor the holidays; someone who works in your office childhood can receive or ptant. who will have nowhere to go for Christmas. benefits on the record of a These, so often are the forgotten ones. We tend to parent who receives retireassume that somebody else has thought about them, or ment or disability benefits that somehow, they will "work it out by themselves.” Or or who died after working having thought about them, we might tend to brush aside long enough in jobs covered the idea of inviting them to our home for Christmas, by Social Security Adults because they "might not fit" or because they might "put a_ disabled before age 22 can damper on your own enjoyment or that of your family. apply for benefits at any

LIFE MAKES GREAT demands on all of us, and keeps us pretty much on the run all year round, so that when the occasion comes that we can relax and enjoy life a little, we may tend to become totally absorbed in our own gratifica-

tion. That is certainly understandable.

But we need to remember that there are others for whom even this respite does not exist. And it is to them that we need to reach out. Loneliness and depression can be very painful, even disastrous. Perhaps, this Christmas, you can think of someone you would want to invite. Our second word is to those who do have a-family Christmas, but still feej lonely and depressed. It is essen- - tial to realize that much of this problem is based on -fantasies and on unrealistic expectations. People who think Uiat "everyone else is having a joyful Christmas gathering, except I” are laboring under a misconception. There are many, rhany people, who for one reason or another do not or cannot have holiday gatherings. There are many' whose gatherings are not quite as joyful as they might

want them to be. **

Also, it is almost impossible to fulfill in adult life, the intense fantasies about. Christmas we carry over from childhood. That's only natural Adult life is much more complex than childhood k ,and adult reality is more problem-laden than childhood reality. It is unrealistic to expect that we can recreate at any time of year, a situation of perfect joy, peace and love. We try, but cannot always do it, and we should not punish ourselves because

we cannot.

Dr. Wilson is with the Carrier Foundation, a psychiatric facility in Belle Mead. Urges Appointing A Deputy

f- Divorced, Disabled, Parents’ Benefits

) long as it can be proven the disability began Bcfoi *» age 22 and there is little chance of improvement. A worker’s dependent parents can get benefjU if he or she worked long enough uhder Social Security and the worker prbvided at least onehalf of the parent's support. Proof of support must be filed with Social Security within two years of the worker's death. THE ABOVE benefits, like all benefits.paid to the dependents ana survivors of retired, disabled, or deceased workers, ai'e designed to replace partial ly the earnings upon which the person was dependent. In many instances, people

who would ordinarily qualify cannot get jx*ncfiis ■ because they are earning over the limit set for people who receive Social Security benefits. In 1982, $4,440 for people under 65 and $6,000 for people 65 or over For more information on these Social Security/ benefits and others available to dependents and survivor?, you should call (he Social Security office and ask for special leaflets we have on the subject. There are several, and we can determine which will best fit your needs when you call Q. JUST HOW MUCH can I earn without affec ting the benefits I get as b child age 17 on my deteas-

Ps

ed father's work record? A People under age 65* receiving Social Security benefit! may earn up to $4,440 in 1982 without affec ting their benefits. Earninfts over that' amount reduce your benefits $1 for each $2 in excess earnings Q. I EXPECT TO earn over the earnings limit this year for the first time. If I do, will my earnings affect my retired father's benefits, as well as my own Mh an adult disabled in childhood 9 A. No. Vour earnings will affect only your own benefit You should also be aware that the test regarding your ability to work is not the same as the annual earnings test for retired workers Diffcrenf factors, including medical considerations are involved for disabled beneficiaries. You should contact the Social Security office and let them know of your work plans to ovoid possible overpayments. which must be paid back Del Qroohs is Social Security ■ manager in Wildwood

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

ATURDAY

SUNDAY

j Hours may vary

i

it

l-HKISmV!) 4 '

SALE PRICES EFFECTIVE 12/16/82 thru 12/19/82

STONE HARBOR - Kenneth Hawk, the borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator, presented to Mayor Arden Hand and Council his first report, including a recommendation to appoint George Walters as a Deputy Director. Walters is a permanent

resident of th£ borough, a member ^of the Volunteer Fire Department, has a degree in Electrical Engineering and works for Atlantic City Electric Co. as assistant plant superintendeht. H« will be in charge of emergencies in Hawk's absence. Hawk also stated he had teen notified by the New Jersey State Police that he had passed the federal Emergency ^Management Coordinators)’ Course covering the legal responsibilities and authority and the relationship between the borough’s office and the county state and federal.agencies.

40-PC. TOOL

SET

1/4" and 3/8" drive standard

and metric

sockets, plastic

case.

CRIMPING TOOL KIT Pliers, assortment of connector terminals

PORTABLE HAND TRUCK * HT Strong, folds for storage 1,000 lb. capacity

Order your CHRISTMAS I CENTERPIECE | Suiting al $10.95 I Order Early I DENNISVILLE RD C.M.C H MURPHY MART'S REAR PtAZA 465-2440

J

VALVOLINE 10W40 MOTOR OIL

qt

HAND CREASE CUN KIT ’ Lever action spring primed Big 20 oz capacity for cartridge dr / bulk grease

I CAN HELP

COT A PARTS PROBLEM? Ask a Qualified Counterman Only CARQUEST has them

•4873 W

MINI HAND PULLER 4ooo ib' capacity '

■ ft ft IQUIftMCMT ft AUfO SUPPLY 3713-15 Vontnor Avenue Atlantic City. NJ 345 2201 CAPt AUTO PARTS N. Cop* May Shopping Cantor Boytbor* Rood ‘ N. Cop* Moy. NJ 8869444

fttoioMAi Tim sciiyici 2721 Whit* Hor>* Plk* Cologne. NJ 965-4010 RIOOINt AUTOMOTIVE Main t Pacific Av*nu*« Cop* Mo/tourt Hous*. NJ 465 9001

RIOOINS AUTOMOTIVC 807 Wheaton Av*nu* Millville. NJ 825 1261 WAYNI'S AUTO SUPPtllt D*ls«a Dr tv* ft Oak Rood Vin*lond. NJ 696 4677

CARQUEST: the Right Place to buy auto parts.