Special Needs Planning

As an SSDI recipient, you or your loved ones may be able to access additional benefits.

When looking into disability, retirement, or survivors' benefits, you might have encountered the acronym SSA. Knowing what the SSA does is important if you apply for government benefits or enroll in Medicare.

A ward of the state is a person under the government's protection. Children and adults with cognitive disabilities can become wards of the state.

Guardianship can provide parents of children with special needs a way to protect their child's financial and medical well-being even after they have turned 18.

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

What happens if you come into money that pushes you over the income limit for SSI or Medicaid? The answer may be to consider a pooled trust.

Special Needs 101

What is special needs planning, and what options can help people with disabilities?...

Special Needs 101

Funds held in a properly drafted special needs trust will not affect a SSI or Medicaid recipient's benefits. However, funds disbursed in a manner that violates SSI or Medicaid rules can impact these benefits.

Special Needs 101

It's easy to throw your new special needs trust into a drawer and forget about it.  While having a plan in place is a great start, the trust and related documents do need to be maintained.