There are many age-appropriate searches seniors are conducting online such as leisure travel pursuits, personal health-care issues, and dealing with financial concerns. One resource seniors may be less familiar with is accessing their Social Security and Medicare benefits online.
For starters, turning to the Internet to access Social Security information saves a lot of time and money. The Social Security online retirement application can be easily completed, in as little as 15 minutes. Using the online application allows it to be done from the comfort of any home or office, and can be done at any time that is convenient for the applicant.
Applying for retirement is not the only feature available online. Numerous other tasks can be done through the Social Security website beyond just the application process. Some of the top services performed through the Social Security website are:
• Getting a replacement card
• Applying for retirement benefits
• Applying for disability benefits
• Apply for Medicare
• Apply for SSI, survivor or family benefits
• Checking an application status
• Getting extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs
Another great tool for people to use on the website is the Social Security’s new retirement estimator. This tool gives the public the opportunity to run accurate, personalized scenarios for Social Security retirement benefits in a user-friendly way, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. The retirement estimator was rated with a score of 90, highest in its survey of Best Online Services. It was also ranked among the government’s top performers, and equal to the highest caliber private sectors, along with Amazon and Google.
Using the website can be a huge time saver in many aspects. Accessing the information online makes there no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a representative. Not only does this eliminate waiting time at the office, but also cuts out driving time and gas mileage.
According to Robert Fenn, Social Security public affairs specialist, “An individual could possibly travel an hour away (to reach an office), and complete their request in less time it took to make the trip! Or an individual could utilize the SSA online services in a matter of minutes, as opposed to traveling for two hours (both ways).”
As retiring baby boomers choose high-tech information and service options, the SSA expects further growth in the number of people who will take advantage of its Internet services in the future.
For more information on accessing Social Security online, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/
To view the retirement estimator, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator/
For more information on Connect Ohio's free basic computer training courses click here
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Belmont County Small Business Finds Great Success with GMN Wireless Broadband
Gaining access to high-speed Internet access can be a game changer for small business. This situation is true for Jerry Smith, owner of Anvils and Ink Studios in Belmont County, where he hand crafts fine art and jewelry, metal sculptures, leather goods, and other custom pieces.
“Shortly before Smith became a customer of GMN, Connect Ohio worked in training GMN wireless on how to use radio propagation software and how to create its own coverage maps,” said Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager for Connect Ohio. “This helped it to increase efficiency and to serve some customers who otherwise may have been deemed unreachable.”
Smith previously had a satellite, dial-up Internet service, with speeds that were not fast enough for a business. After looking into his options, Smith found that he could get GMN broadband Internet.
Smith was able to benefit from using broadband by increasing his sales after he decided to upgrade to a high-speed connection. Before having a broadband connection, Smith was selling around $150,000 in products each year. After taking his business online, Smith now sells more than 3 million dollars in products each year.
Anvils and Ink Studios now has a company website and display some of its products online. Being online makes interactions with customers and turn over time much faster. Smith can e-mail pictures back and forth, rather than having to meet face to face, for order confirmation.
Internet access has connected Smith to clients he would have never been able to reach before. Smith places orders internationally and now has clients in India and Pakistan. Not only has being online increased local clientele, but also gained Smith some new clients globally. “Finding new markets, which used to take weeks or months, now only takes moments,” said Smith. “I can easily research what people are wanting.”
The Internet has allowed for Smith’s business to grow to a level which was unsurpassable without having a high speed Internet connection. Connect Ohio continues to work with GMN Wireless to help them reach more un-served households.
For more information on GMN Wireless, visit http://www.gmn4u.com/
View the 2010 Broadband Business Survey http://connectoh.org/_documents/OH_BizWhitePaper_FINAL.pdf
“Shortly before Smith became a customer of GMN, Connect Ohio worked in training GMN wireless on how to use radio propagation software and how to create its own coverage maps,” said Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager for Connect Ohio. “This helped it to increase efficiency and to serve some customers who otherwise may have been deemed unreachable.”
Smith previously had a satellite, dial-up Internet service, with speeds that were not fast enough for a business. After looking into his options, Smith found that he could get GMN broadband Internet.
Smith was able to benefit from using broadband by increasing his sales after he decided to upgrade to a high-speed connection. Before having a broadband connection, Smith was selling around $150,000 in products each year. After taking his business online, Smith now sells more than 3 million dollars in products each year.
Anvils and Ink Studios now has a company website and display some of its products online. Being online makes interactions with customers and turn over time much faster. Smith can e-mail pictures back and forth, rather than having to meet face to face, for order confirmation.
Internet access has connected Smith to clients he would have never been able to reach before. Smith places orders internationally and now has clients in India and Pakistan. Not only has being online increased local clientele, but also gained Smith some new clients globally. “Finding new markets, which used to take weeks or months, now only takes moments,” said Smith. “I can easily research what people are wanting.”
The Internet has allowed for Smith’s business to grow to a level which was unsurpassable without having a high speed Internet connection. Connect Ohio continues to work with GMN Wireless to help them reach more un-served households.
For more information on GMN Wireless, visit http://www.gmn4u.com/
View the 2010 Broadband Business Survey http://connectoh.org/_documents/OH_BizWhitePaper_FINAL.pdf
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Senior Series: Part 2, The Tech Savvy Senior
The assumption that many people have about senior citizens being technologically disconnected would be incorrect. The percentage of senior citizens, 65 or older, who are online in Ohio may seem low with only 37% subscribing to home broadband Internet service, but this number is continuing to grow at a steady pace. Since 2008, this number has increased by over 10% and only continues to progressively increase.
So what exactly are seniors doing online? The number one online activity performed by 88.6% of seniors was checking personal e-mail, according to a 2009 blog on nielson.com. The other top 5 online activities include: viewing maps, checking the weather, viewing and paying bills, and viewing or posting photos.
The top five destinations visited by seniors online are the following:
• Google Search
• Windows Media Player
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Amazon
One activity that may come as a surprise to many people is social media. According to an article from online marketing-trends.com, 11% of people on Facebook are senior citizens. The number of female seniors on Facebook is 63%, which is much greater than the 37% of male seniors.
There are a few predominant reasons for seniors wanting to get on Facebook. Most (40%) are turning to this social networking site to connect with family and old friends. The other two most popular reasons are to share pictures, at 30%, and social gaming, at 20%.
For seniors looking to get online, or learn basic computer skills, check out addition information on our Every Citizen Online program through Connect Ohio.
So what exactly are seniors doing online? The number one online activity performed by 88.6% of seniors was checking personal e-mail, according to a 2009 blog on nielson.com. The other top 5 online activities include: viewing maps, checking the weather, viewing and paying bills, and viewing or posting photos.
The top five destinations visited by seniors online are the following:
• Google Search
• Windows Media Player
• YouTube
• Amazon
One activity that may come as a surprise to many people is social media. According to an article from online marketing-trends.com, 11% of people on Facebook are senior citizens. The number of female seniors on Facebook is 63%, which is much greater than the 37% of male seniors.
There are a few predominant reasons for seniors wanting to get on Facebook. Most (40%) are turning to this social networking site to connect with family and old friends. The other two most popular reasons are to share pictures, at 30%, and social gaming, at 20%.
For seniors looking to get online, or learn basic computer skills, check out addition information on our Every Citizen Online program through Connect Ohio.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Senior Series: Part 1, Seniors and the Internet
The rise of Internet usage over the past years has also seen an increase in senior citizen’s getting online. The Connect Ohio Residential Technology Assessment Results have shown over the past three years, that broadband adoption among seniors has increased 42%, as has computer ownership for this group, increasing by 26%.
When it comes to computer ownership, the statistics are much higher. The percentage of seniors who own a computer is at 58%, compared to 80% of all households statewide.
Although the adoption rate has increased over the past three years, people 65 or older still make up the lowest percentage of people online. The Residential Technology Assessment found that only 37% of people in that age group have access to broadband Internet from home; much lower than the 74% of Ohioans overall who subscribe to broadband or dial-up Internet service.
Findings among Ohio residents who subscribed to home broadband service in the past year, are that seniors continue to have the slowest adoption rate. The assessment found that only 4% of those 65 or older subscribed to home broadband in past year; compared to 8% for those 55-64. The young adult age group, 18 to 24 years old, was the most likely group to subscribe to home broadband service in the past year, at 29%.
There are three major reasons, the Technology Assessment reveals, why seniors do not have broadband at home. The first and most prevalent reason cited by 73% of seniors was that they do not need broadband. The second most-cited reason for is that they don’t own a computer, at 43%, and the third reason, at 21%, is lack of education and not knowing enough about broadband.
All across the state, Connect Ohio provides Every Citizen Online, free basic computer training classes. Check out the Connect Ohio website, to register for classes near you.
When it comes to computer ownership, the statistics are much higher. The percentage of seniors who own a computer is at 58%, compared to 80% of all households statewide.
Although the adoption rate has increased over the past three years, people 65 or older still make up the lowest percentage of people online. The Residential Technology Assessment found that only 37% of people in that age group have access to broadband Internet from home; much lower than the 74% of Ohioans overall who subscribe to broadband or dial-up Internet service.
Findings among Ohio residents who subscribed to home broadband service in the past year, are that seniors continue to have the slowest adoption rate. The assessment found that only 4% of those 65 or older subscribed to home broadband in past year; compared to 8% for those 55-64. The young adult age group, 18 to 24 years old, was the most likely group to subscribe to home broadband service in the past year, at 29%.
There are three major reasons, the Technology Assessment reveals, why seniors do not have broadband at home. The first and most prevalent reason cited by 73% of seniors was that they do not need broadband. The second most-cited reason for is that they don’t own a computer, at 43%, and the third reason, at 21%, is lack of education and not knowing enough about broadband.
All across the state, Connect Ohio provides Every Citizen Online, free basic computer training classes. Check out the Connect Ohio website, to register for classes near you.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Connect Ohio Helps to Expand Internet Access in Crawford County and Liberty Township
WaveLinc broadband provider has recently collaborated with Liberty Township Fire Department to expanded high-speed Internet access to homes and businesses in Crawford County, through a recent expansion tower.
According to fire chief- Rick Harley, the Liberty Township Fire Department was looking to build a communication tower for the fire station, which has always been in a “dead area” for broadband, radio traffic, and cell phone service. WaveLinc presented a broadband expansion plan after hearing the fire department was looking to build a tower.
Connect Ohio worked in assisting the provider and the county commissioners in discussing the use and regulations of the tower. The plan was proposed by WaveLinc after many residents showed a growing interest in having home broadband, according to Kurt Fankhauser, owner of WaveLinc.
Crawford County officials accepted the proposed agreement with WaveLinc to share the tower in order to bring broadband to Sulfur Springs.
“Having high-speed Internet is certainly better. The tower is a win-win situation,” said Harley. “I’ve looked at it as a community service. It’s helping us out, and it’s helping others in the community who want high-speed Internet that weren’t able to get it before.”
The new tower is currently providing wireless broadband service to a dozen homes that did not have it before. The tower could provide service for several hundred homes if the town were to expand.
“It is exciting to see community leaders cooperating with a local broadband provider to offer high-speed Internet to residents who otherwise would be left behind,” said Bart Winegar, Technical Outreach Manager for Connect Ohio.
According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for Crawford County, where Liberty Township is located, 69% of households receive broadband service to the home, which is more than the state average of 66%.
For more information on WaveLinc, visit http://www.wavelinc.com/
Additional Crawford County technology research can be found at http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Crawford_County_2011.pdf
According to fire chief- Rick Harley, the Liberty Township Fire Department was looking to build a communication tower for the fire station, which has always been in a “dead area” for broadband, radio traffic, and cell phone service. WaveLinc presented a broadband expansion plan after hearing the fire department was looking to build a tower.
Connect Ohio worked in assisting the provider and the county commissioners in discussing the use and regulations of the tower. The plan was proposed by WaveLinc after many residents showed a growing interest in having home broadband, according to Kurt Fankhauser, owner of WaveLinc.
Crawford County officials accepted the proposed agreement with WaveLinc to share the tower in order to bring broadband to Sulfur Springs.
“Having high-speed Internet is certainly better. The tower is a win-win situation,” said Harley. “I’ve looked at it as a community service. It’s helping us out, and it’s helping others in the community who want high-speed Internet that weren’t able to get it before.”
The new tower is currently providing wireless broadband service to a dozen homes that did not have it before. The tower could provide service for several hundred homes if the town were to expand.
“It is exciting to see community leaders cooperating with a local broadband provider to offer high-speed Internet to residents who otherwise would be left behind,” said Bart Winegar, Technical Outreach Manager for Connect Ohio.
According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for Crawford County, where Liberty Township is located, 69% of households receive broadband service to the home, which is more than the state average of 66%.
For more information on WaveLinc, visit http://www.wavelinc.com/
Additional Crawford County technology research can be found at http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Crawford_County_2011.pdf
Monday, October 17, 2011
Broadband Inquiry Success Story
After being fed up with limited Internet provider options, Kevin King stumbled upon the Connect Ohio website where he found information about the Broadband Inquiry process. The options of having dial up internet, or service through a 3G cellular service provider were available, but King was looking to get high-speed wireless broadband service.
King searched his home address in Connect Ohio’s BroadbandStat interactive mapping tool and the results showed broadband provider options King was already aware of, as well as an option for broadband service unfamiliar to him. According to the results, King was able to get Country Connections for his broadband needs.
After looking into this broadband service option, he found that they had a broadcasting tower less than 10 miles from his home with a strong signal, so Kevin signed up. Right after installation King saw a huge improvement over his previous options.
King says, having high-speed broadband service at home “has opened up a whole new world” for him.
Now, it is possible for him to watch YouTube videos, download music, and connect to work. King’s family is also utilizing their improved Internet connection. His son is able to access to his online college account and the rest of the family is able to e-mail, pay bills online, and shop.
“Surfing became a relatively simple task, instead of a frustrating, time--consuming activity,” shared Kevin. “Overall, it just frees up so much time and has removed so much aggravation that it is almost unbelievable.”
Exploring broadband coverage is easy to do through the Connect Ohio website and our interactive mapping tool, BroadbandStat. The interactive map takes your address and can find a list of providers claiming to have broadband service for your location. Check out our BroadbandStat at http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/interactive_map.php
King searched his home address in Connect Ohio’s BroadbandStat interactive mapping tool and the results showed broadband provider options King was already aware of, as well as an option for broadband service unfamiliar to him. According to the results, King was able to get Country Connections for his broadband needs.
After looking into this broadband service option, he found that they had a broadcasting tower less than 10 miles from his home with a strong signal, so Kevin signed up. Right after installation King saw a huge improvement over his previous options.
King says, having high-speed broadband service at home “has opened up a whole new world” for him.
Now, it is possible for him to watch YouTube videos, download music, and connect to work. King’s family is also utilizing their improved Internet connection. His son is able to access to his online college account and the rest of the family is able to e-mail, pay bills online, and shop.
“Surfing became a relatively simple task, instead of a frustrating, time--consuming activity,” shared Kevin. “Overall, it just frees up so much time and has removed so much aggravation that it is almost unbelievable.”
Exploring broadband coverage is easy to do through the Connect Ohio website and our interactive mapping tool, BroadbandStat. The interactive map takes your address and can find a list of providers claiming to have broadband service for your location. Check out our BroadbandStat at http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/interactive_map.php
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
FCC Announces ‘Connect to Compete’, Focusing on Training & Digital Literacy
Today, the FCC announced a major national public-private broadband adoption initiative called “Connect to Compete” aimed at boosting digital literacy, skills training, and job creation.
The program, which includes a dozen private and nonprofit partners and includes Connect Ohio’s parent organization Connected Nation, was announced today by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Components of the program include a national “digital literacy corps” working to close the broadband adoption gap, and initiatives by private sector firms that are donating training opportunities, software, and creating digital content that will help job seekers. The Connect to Compete nonprofit initiative will oversee the effort.
Microsoft, Geek Squad, the Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill, One Economy, and the National Urban League are some of the other organizations aligned with Connect to Compete.
Connected Nation’s research shows that nearly 32 million rural Americans do not have broadband at home. In Ohio, 42% of rural households do not have broadband service.
Connect Ohio has been a leader in promoting broadband adoption through its Every Citizen Online program, generating demand for broadband services and helping thousands cross the digital adoption gap in Ohio. More than 11,000 Ohio adults have received free basic computer and Internet training. Of those trained, 88 % indicate they would like to subscribe to broadband within the next year. The Connect to Compete initiative will expand adoption efforts on a national level and help thousands more get connected.
The program, which includes a dozen private and nonprofit partners and includes Connect Ohio’s parent organization Connected Nation, was announced today by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Components of the program include a national “digital literacy corps” working to close the broadband adoption gap, and initiatives by private sector firms that are donating training opportunities, software, and creating digital content that will help job seekers. The Connect to Compete nonprofit initiative will oversee the effort.
Microsoft, Geek Squad, the Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill, One Economy, and the National Urban League are some of the other organizations aligned with Connect to Compete.
Connected Nation’s research shows that nearly 32 million rural Americans do not have broadband at home. In Ohio, 42% of rural households do not have broadband service.
Connect Ohio has been a leader in promoting broadband adoption through its Every Citizen Online program, generating demand for broadband services and helping thousands cross the digital adoption gap in Ohio. More than 11,000 Ohio adults have received free basic computer and Internet training. Of those trained, 88 % indicate they would like to subscribe to broadband within the next year. The Connect to Compete initiative will expand adoption efforts on a national level and help thousands more get connected.
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