Latest Federal Updates

Recent reporting and explainers from the Federal Updates newsroom.

2027 Medicare Part B Premium Estimate: What the $209.50 Forecast Means

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Older woman reviewing 2027 Medicare Part B premium information on a laptop.

2027 Medicare Part B Premium Estimate: What the $209.50 Forecast Means Updated August 16, 2026 The official 2026 Medicare Trustees Report estimates that the standard Medicare Part B premium could be $209.50 per month in 2027. That is a forecast, not the final 2027 bill. CMS has not yet published the final Part B premium, … Read more

IRS Identity Protection PIN 2026: How To Get One

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IRS Identity Protection PIN 2026 taxpayer using a secure online account

Updated Aug. 16, 2026 If you want an IRS Identity Protection PIN in 2026, the fastest route is your IRS Online Account. Anyone with a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can request a free six digit PIN after verifying their identity. The number helps stop someone else from using your information on … Read more

Two SSI Payments in October 2026: Essential Guide

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Two SSI payments in October 2026 reviewed on a household calendar

Two SSI payments in October 2026 are scheduled for October 1 and October 30. The Social Security Administration calendar lists one payment for Thursday, October 1, 2026, and a second payment for Friday, October 30, 2026. The October 30 payment is for November because November 1 falls on a Sunday. That is two deposits in … Read more

SNAP Food Restrictions 2026: Essential Guide for Families

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SNAP food restrictions 2026 notice and grocery list reviewed at a kitchen table

SNAP food restrictions 2026 vary by state. Check the current state rule before planning a grocery trip. Updated Aug. 16, 2026. SNAP food restrictions in 2026 are not the same in every state. USDA has approved state food restriction waivers that limit some purchases, including soda, candy, energy drinks, sweetened beverages, or prepared desserts. The … Read more