Special Needs Planning encompasses the requirements and care of individuals suffering from a wide range of physical disabilities, intellectual difficulties, medical conditions, or behavioral problems. There are numerous benefits available to individuals with special needs – both at the federal and state level. Ultimately, these programs will vary from state to state, but many have some type of Medicaid waiver that will cover residential, daycare, career, and other basic services. Some examples of these programs are:
• Medicaid, which gives basic medical care;
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provide allowances for food and shelter to people with disabilities; and
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which helps those with a disability, but requires that the individual hasn’t been able to work for at least a year because of the disability.
As medical and social treatment advances, life expectancy increases making Special Needs Planning even more vital. If you have a child with special needs, it’s critical that you maintain all of your documentation in one place that is easily accessible when needed (for example, we suggest a file or lockbox). This will simplify things for future caregivers once the parents have passed away. It is also important to regularly update the information in this file when there are changes in your family’s situation, the needs or desires of your child, or due to any other issue that may assist future caregivers in caring for your child.
The knowledgeable special needs attorneys in Staten Island NY at Danna & Associates, PC work to assist families as they plan for disabled children or other family members who are or become disabled later in life. Together, we’ll work to help maximize resources and enrich the quality of life for your loved one.