Joseph Gilsoul

Sixteen states now have ABLE programs, which allow people with disabilities to set aside up to $14,000 a year in tax-free savings accounts without affecting their eligibility for government benefits

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 too costly. 

When serving as the trustee of a special needs trust, it is crucial to be careful when making distributions for the benefit of the trust beneficiary.  This is particularly true if the beneficiary receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

It is often necessary to modify a home in one way or another to accommodate a person with special needs.  But if the individual is the beneficiary of a special needs trust (SNT) and trust funds might be used to pay for modifications or repairs to a home that the beneficiary doesn’t own, things can get complicated.  

The Department of Health and Human Services recently investigated more than 200 instances of fraud and patient neglect in Medicaid-funded programs that provide caretakers for children, adults and the elderly. 

The Special Needs Trust Fairness Act, federal legislation that will allow people with disabilities to create their own special needs trusts instead of having to rely on parents, grandparents, guardians or a court, has been enacted.

Parents who have a child with special needs in school will meet annually with the school district to develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program). These meetings can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to expect or are not prepared. 

The Special Needs Trust Fairness Act, federal legislation that will allow people with disabilities to create their own special needs trusts instead of having to rely on others, has passed the Congress.

What many parents don\’t think about the effect that their own estate plan can have on their child\’s government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Personal care assistants (PCAs) may be an option to give caregivers needed help. Most states provide personal care services through their Medicaid programs to help families manage the daily care of children, adults and the elderly with long-term disabilities.