Public Benefits

The PASS program allows SSI beneficiaries to use their non-SSI income to pay for job training or to start a business. If beneficiaries follow the complicated rules governing the program, the Social Security Administration will not count income used for...

Special Needs 101

When a child with special needs is setting aside money for college, a 529 Plan may not be the best option. Here are some things to think about when family members ask about the best way to provide funds for...

Special Needs 101

Because SSI's income and resource limits are so restrictive, it pays to know the basics about the program before deciding whether it is right for you or your family member.

Special Needs 101

A special needs trust can allow individuals with special needs to preserve assets that will enhance their quality of life while allowing them to remain eligible for needs-based public benefits like Medicaid and SSI.

Special Needs 101

For adults receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) payments, the Social Security Administration offers several programs to encourage beneficiaries to work. The best-known program, the Ticket to Work Plan, is a somewhat complicated program designed to offer beneficiaries a way...

Special Needs 101

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) can play an important role in preserving the financial security and lifestyle of a person with special needs. A properly drafted SNT allows the individual to benefit from supplemental resources while still qualifying for public...

Special Needs 101

There are so many programs and services available for people with disabilities that it can make your head spin. Fortunately, the federal government has created a Web site that collects information about a wide variety of state and federal resources...

Special Needs 101

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one of the major federal programs that provides monetary assistance to people with disabilities. Although the lack of strict financial standards makes SSDI benefits easier to manage once they are obtained, not everyone with...

Special Needs 101

People with special needs may qualify for a variety of government benefits, including Medicaid and Medicare. It can be difficult to tell the two programs apart, especially because their names are so similar. However, Medicaid and Medicare, which account for...

Special Needs 101