Public Benefits

For many young people with disabilities, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – aka food stamps -- is a lifeline.  But SNAP eligibility turns on a range of factors.

ABLE accounts, new savings plans for people with special needs to save for disability related expenses, may be used for an even broader array of products and services than many beneficiaries may realize.  ...

ABLE accounts are a great new savings tool for individuals with disabilities, but not all people with disabilities are eligible to open these accounts. ...

Every major natural disaster disproportionately harms society’s most vulnerable populations.  Courts have ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires emergency preparedness.

Many newly “wealthy” clients ask what the value is of staying on Medicaid. Shouldn’t millions of dollars be sufficient to pay for health care? There are a number of reasons why Medicaid is the far better choice.  ...

Individuals with disabilities under age 65 often face obstacles in purchasing Medigap insurance that older Medicare beneficiaries do not face.  In many states, Medigap policies are either not available to younger beneficiaries due to their age or the premiums are...

The amount that can be deposited in an ABLE account each year without jeopardizing public benefits will rise from the current $14,000 to $15,000 starting in 2018. ...

A little-known provision in the Social Security regulations allows the spouse of a retiree to also receive Social Security benefits, even if he has not yet reached retirement age, so long as he is caring for a child with disabilities...

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.