Special Needs Planning

Improving financial literacy is essential for many children and young adults with autism in gaining independence and preparing for adulthood.

The guardianship of an adult, in which a judge appoints an individual to make choices for a person over 18, is appropriate when the adult lacks capacity. Capacity is a general legal term that refers to a person’s cognitive ability.

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.

Once a person becomes a guardian, they should be aware of their responsibilities. Since the ward loses significant rights, guardians must promote their autonomy to the fullest possible extent.

In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it would award nearly $25 million to help fund housing for people with disabilties.

Families who had previously sought to establish an SNT for a disabled loved one could not effectively designate a charitable organization as a remainder beneficiary. Legislation passed in late 2022 has changed this.

For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), intermediate care facilities may be appropriate in some situations, particularly when in-home care is not feasible.