Public Benefits

One of the greatest challenges for many individuals with disabilities is finding a safe, clean, and affordable place to live.  A new guide can help applicants and their advocates understand the complicated "Section 8" housing program.  ...

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could influence how millions of special needs children are educated under the federal law that requires public schools to provide children with disabilities a "free appropriate public education."...

Many parents feel intimidated at the thought of attending their child’s first Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, but with adequate preparation it can be an informative, successful and (relatively) stress-free experience.

Personal care assistants (PCAs) may be an option to give caregivers needed help. Most states provide personal care services through their Medicaid programs to help families manage the daily care of children, adults and the elderly with long-term disabilities.  ...

Parents are often very familiar with the government benefits their child receives, but many don't think about the effect that their own estate plan can have on those benefits. ...

The budget deal signed by President Obama increases funding for the Social Security disability trust fund but also makes several small but important changes to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.

Parents giving gifts to children will sometimes provide nothing to the child with special needs while giving substantial amounts to the child’s siblings. This planning strategy can lead to trouble, as a recent Wisconsin case highlights.

It is often necessary to modify a home in one way or another to accommodate a person with special needs.  But if the individual is the beneficiary of a special needs trust (SNT) and trust funds might be used to...

Unfortunately, too many trustees of special needs trusts or those who oversee funds for people with special needs don't even know that they have a duty to account for the funds they manage, let alone perform that duty correctly.