Public Benefits

Under federal law, you may have a disability for purposes of anti-discrimination laws but still not qualify as "disabled" when it comes time to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.

Katie Beckett, who recently passed away at the age of 34, quite literally gave her name to a Medicaid waiver program that has allowed thousands of children like her to move out of hospitals and into their communities.

At a recent White House meeting, families of people with special needs had the opportunity to explain to some very high-ranking administration officials just how painful some of these proposed changes could be.

After receiving no cost-of-living increase (COLA) for two years running, the nation's Social Security recipients, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries, will get a 3.6 percent increase in payments in 2012.

The Boston Globe published a three-part special report that focused on children who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Unfortunately, the story gives the impression that children in this position make up the majority of young SSI recipients, when in...

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

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.

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

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...