Public Benefits

When you add a special needs trust to a financial aid calculation, things can get complicated because the regulations governing federal financial aid don't do a very good job of distinguishing special needs trusts from other types of trusts.

If an applicant for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs-based federal disability benefit, transfers assets out of her name prior to applying for benefits, she could face a stiff transfer penalty that would delay receipt of often vital services.

If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid benefits, receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) could cause you to lose your SSI or Medicaid benefits.

A recent National Public Radio (NPR) report on disability benefits has drawn fire from disability advocates and eight former Commissioners of the Social Security Administration for relying on anecdotal evidence and exaggeration to imply that people are abusing the Social...

On October 8, 2010, President Obama signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act into law. The law guarantees those with visual and hearing impairments easy access to communications technologies like the Internet and television.

Last month we discussed some initial things that every trustee of a special needs trust should do upon learning that the primary beneficiary has passed away. Now, we'll explore additional steps to consider when closing out the trust.

As part of this year's landmark healthcare reform law, the federal government is offering an insurance plan for people who have been denied private insurance due to a pre-existing medical condition. Most states will soon follow with plans of their...

President Obama has signed into law a bill eliminating use of the phrase "mentally retarded" from all federal law.

The Obama administration has suspended implementation of the CLASS Act, a proposed national long-term care insurance program . . .