Public Benefits

Parents of children with special needs are often daunted by the different government programs that fall under "disability benefits."...

The special economic stimulus payments authorized by Congress in February will not affect the benefits of persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or other federal benefits.

A bill that would create IRA-like tax-exempt savings accounts for individuals with disabilities has bipartisan support in the Senate.

Beneficiaries of a special needs trust can still qualify for federal housing assistance programs like Section 8, but careful planning is required to avoid having benefits reduced or eliminated.

The Senate has passed a bill that would postpone the Bush administration's effort to restrict case management services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries, including individuals with physical or mental disabilities and children in foster care.

When care needs are significant or family members cannot be available, parents may wish to include instructions in a special needs trust for the trustee to retain a professional care manager.

It is possible to qualify for benefits from the Social Security Administration, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), without a birth certificate.

A special education school in Massachusetts is being allowed to continue its practice of administering electric shocks to students after a prank caller ordered two students to be given shocks.

New rules issued by the Bush administration would drastically reduce the help those with special needs receive when leaving an institution.