Coming up in December!

November 15th, 2022

In this issue: 5 helpful tips for caregivers of loved ones with special needs, top 7 reasons to establish a special needds trust, the basics of funding a special needs trust with life insurance, and theft from SNT highlights value of using a professional trustee

October 12th, 2022

In this issue: SSDI benefit taxation, ADU's promote independence near family, Feds seek to simplify enrollment, 5 questions to ask your special needs attorney before you get married.

September 7th, 2022

In this issue: vouchers can help people with disabilities, how can you improve your chances of acceptance with SSDI, caregiving for special needs people takes a toll, and most adults with special needs require estate planning documents.

August 5th, 2022

In this issue: housing considerations for your special needs child, guardianship or conservatorship, powers and responsibilities of representative payees, and what are the ward's rights in a guardianship?

July 12th, 2022

In this issue: support your child with disabilities and still qualify for Medicaid, 3 warning signs that you may need a professional trustee, Aretha Franklin had no Will, and should a parent serve as trustee of a special needs trust?

June 6th, 2022

In this issue: support your child with disabilities and still qualify for Medicaid, 3 warning signs that you may need a professional trustee, assistance is available for veterans' children with disabilities, and what happens to assets left in a special needs trust on the death of the beneficiary?

May 4th, 2022

In this issue: SSA reopens its offices while making it easier to apply for SSI online, What can ABLE account money be spent on, 3 warning signts that you may need a professional trustee, and what can a special needs trust pay for?

April 5th, 2022

In this issue: When is it ok for an SNT trustee to be compensated, Millions could lose medicaid coverage, White House announces plan to help people with disabilities navigate Covid-19, and how to make distributions to an SNT beneficiary without disrupting their SSI.

March 7th, 2022

In this issue: Advice on Vice, Life insurance offers a way to fund a special needs trust without financial strain, often-overlooked tax credit expanded, and alzheimers's awaits nearly all those with down syndrome.

February 11th, 2022

In this issue: Annual contribution ceiling for ABLE accounts rises and more states add programs, SSA Offices expected to reopen March 30, divorce and the child with special needs, and life insurances offers a way to fund a special needs trust without financial strain.

January 10th, 2022

In this issue: ABLE Accounts vs. Special Needs Trusts, Recipients of SSI now have 50 extra days to appeal benefits cuts, five planning pointers for parents with children with special needs, should a parent serve as trustee of a special needs trust?

December 14th, 2021

In this issue: What are a special needs trustee's record-keeping duties, Uber broke the law by slapping wait-time surcharges, people with disabilities have difficulty getting assistance, and supportive housing programs offer integrated solutions for people with mental disabilities.

November 17th, 2021

In this issue: "New and improved" tax deductions for parents of children with special needs, closing of social security field offices disrupted SSI benefits for thousands, social security disability recipients will see biggest increase in four decades in 2022, and guide helps people with disabilities prepare for an emergency disaster.

October 20th, 2021

In this issue: the perils and pitfalls of do-it-yourself SN planning, supreme court to hear case that could increase the bite that medicaid takes out of settlements, court overturns FDA ban on school's use of electric shock devices on students with disabilities, and new CDC materials teach Covid-19 safety protocols to people with IDD.

September 13th, 2021

In this issue: Navigating the appeals process for social security disability benefits, leaving an IRA to a SN trust is no longer such a bad idea, pandemic payments won't affect SSI benefits or eligibility, and bill introduced again to to bring the SSI program into the 21st century.

August 11th, 2021

In this issue: The Britney Spear's case offers important lessons on guardianship, 7 reasons to establish a special needs trust, SCOTUS to hear case that could increase the bite that Medicaid takes out of settlements, and bill dangles funding hope for families caring for people with disabilities.

July 14th, 2021

In this issue: Three tips when hiring a caregiver for a child with special needs, thousands of SSI recipients accused of owning property that isn't theirs, SSA reopens its doors to the public (sort of), and a reminder to everyone that special needs planning is a marathon, not a sprint.

June 4th, 2021

In this issue: Charge against mother highlights value of adding an extra layer of protection to a special needs trust, a simple way to organize your special needs planning documents, talking to relatives about guardianship of a child with special needs, and can the beneficiary of a special needs trust change the trustee?

May 10th, 2021

In this issue: Does your child's special needs trust need a tune-up, new website offers disability community a trusted vaccine resource, can a special needs trust pay for housing without reducing SSI benefits, and cities try to make 911 a safe number to call for mental health emergencies.

APRIL 13, 2021

In this issue: Five events that require an immediate call to your special needs planner, bill reintroduced to greatly expand eligibility for ABLE accounts, bill would allow all military retirees to name special needs trusts as beneficiaries of pension plans, and disability advocates applaud landmark COVID-19 relief bill.

MARCH 8, 2021

In this issue: Is it possible to put a retirement plan in a special needs trust, a resource for travelers with special needs, top five responsibilities of a trustee of a special needs trust, and the limits of guardianship.

FEBRUARY 10, 2021

In this issue: Four questions to help you choose the right professional trustee for your special needs trust, latest pandemic relief law largely ignores needs of people with disabilities, President Biden issues executive order to help those who don't file taxes obtain relief payments, and five events that require an immediate call to your special needs planner.

JANUARY 13, 2021

In this issue: Guardianship basics, feds end protections for emotional support animals on airlines except for service dogs, new regulations compromise the independence of disability appeals judges, and a couple is accused of redirecting $500,000 intended for person with disabilities into their own pockets.

DECEMBER 7, 2020

In this issue: Justices skeptical of arguments, Strategies for bridging SSDI's Medicare waiting period, Will people with disabilities have priority for a COVID-19 vaccine, and IRS issues final regulations for ABLE accounts.

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

In this issue: A trust protector can look out for a beneficiary's interests, Funding a special needs trust with life insurance, Social Security disability benefits to rise by only 1.3 percent in 2021, government agency calls for end to program allowing subminimum wages for people with disabilities.

OCTOBER 6, 2020

In this issue: What happens to assets left in a special needs trust on the death of the beneficiary, Representative Payee: Not a job to be taken lightly, Understanding the differences between a living trust and an irrevocable trust, Funding a special needs trust with life insurance: the basics

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

In this issue: Many people died while awaiting disability benefit appeals, Disability advoates warn Trump's payroll cut will play havoc with social security's finances, IRS reopens portal to allow parents to obtain additional stimulus payments, feds once again delay rule to help people with disabilities remain part of their community.

AUGUST 17, 2020

In this issue: Theft from SNT Highlights Value of Using a Professional Trustee, Six Important Questions about Child Support and Special Needs, Covid-19 has loosened some ADA Workplace Restrictions, and Disability Rights Advocates Push for End to SSDI Waiting Periods

JULY 7, 2020

In this issue: Advocates push to make voting safe, Bill to shield caregivers from employment discrimination introduced, what is "medicare set-aside", and states ask that loans of students with disabilities be forgiven.

JUNE 15, 2020

In this issue: What taxes are due when the beneficiary of a special needs trust dies, SSA suspends eligibility reviews and other standard procedures, adults with special needs who are claimed as dependents will not get coronavirus relief payment, pandemic prompts expansion of online grocery options for SNAP recipients.

MAY 11, 2020

In this issue: What is a special needs trust, SSI beneficiaries to receive relief checks automatically, caregivers may be eligible for paid sick leave under coronavirus response act, and an overlooked frontline in the coronavirus fight: group homes for people with disabilities.

APRIL 16, 2020

In this issue: Social security shutters all offices in response to coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19 raises fears of health care rationing and disability discrimination, do beneficiaries of special needs trusts have rights, and the IRS creates mechanism for SSI recipients to obtain relief checks.

MARCH 16, 2020

In this issue: Students on SSI May Be Able to Earn Extra Income Without a Benefit Reduction, Lack of ADA Access is Being Used as an Excuse to Close Polling Sites, Major Changes Proposed to Medicaid's Funding Structure, and Program That Helps People Move Out of Institutions Temporarily Re-Authorized.

FEBRUARY 16, 2020

In this issue: The new SECURE Act and its impact on Special Needs Planning, reversing the Kiddie Tax, Social Security payments increase in 2020, and proposed rule could make proving housing discrimination against those with disabilities harder.

JANUARY 10, 2020

In this issue: What Happens to ABLE accounts if Beneficiary is no longer disabled, SSA issues controversial proposal, Differences between a living trust and an irrevocable trust, and GAO calls for increased oversight over organizations that handle SS benefits.

DECEMBER 30, 2019

Due to technological issues, we were unable to send out the SNH newsletter in time for this month.

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

In this issue: Making year-end gifts to Special Needs family members, bill introduced to raise SSI asset limit and other reforms, lawmakers start to combat discrimination against tenants who receive housing aid, and veterans disability benefits now protected in bankruptcy proceedings.

OCTOBER 17, 2019

In this issue: The basics of funding a special needs trust with life insurance, disability rights advocates challenge new immigration rules, congress looks to end subminimum wages for people with disabilities, DOT issues guidance for traveling with support animals.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

In this issue: Who to choose as a trustee for your special needs trust, when to change your plan's key players, dental care becomes more inclusive, and changes to the method of measuring inflation raises concerns.

AUGUST 20, 2019

In this issue: Passing retirement benefits to special needs dependents can be complicated, new laws help people with disabilities during disasters, doctors aren't aware of their duties with treating people with disabilities, and less people are covered by Medicaid because of paperwork.

JULY 16, 2019

In this issue: Make sure your special needs plan is mobile, obstacles for Medicaid work requirements encountered, people aren't using ABLE accounts, and an overview of Social Security Benefits.

JUNE 21, 2019

In this issue: ABLE account guidance, Uber and Lyft sued over wheelchair access, study finds health benefits for people with Medigap coverage, and Medicaid funding changes cause concern for disability advocates.

MAY 20, 2019

In this issue: Invite others to contribute to your trust, possible monitoring of social media accounts, tax breaks for day care, and Michael Avenatti gets charged for embezzling money meant for a Special Needs Trust