Special Needs Hawaii Newsletters Archive
Special Needs Hawaii Newsletters Archive
Clicking on the newsletter hyperlinks on this web page will take you to the website of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP). Royal Alliance has no control over the posted content within the ASNP website.
The newsletters archived here are for historical purposes only, and economic, market, and legal conditions may have changed since these newsletters were originally made available. The information provided here should not be relied upon to make investment decisions.
2023 April SNH Newsletter
April 5th, 2023
In this issue: Using FMLA to care for a loved one with a disability, could the SSI "In-kind income" definition change, legal guardianship of an adult: rights and responsibilities, and what other benefits can I get with SSDI?
2023 March SNH Newsletter
March 10th, 2023
In this issue: What can an SN trust pay for without affecting SSI or medicaid, $25M award to help fund housing for people with disabilities, charities may now be named as SNT remainder beneficiaries, and what is a ward of the state?
2023 February SNH Newsletter
February 7th, 2023
In this issue: ABLE account age adjustment a bright spot in omnibus passage, should an SSI recipient refuse an inheritance, congress overlooks bill meant to up SSI recipient asset cap, and should my loved one with special needs use a true link card?
2023 January SNH Newsletter
January 6th, 2023
In this issue: How trustees of SN trusts are compensated, when does a person lack capacity in a guardianship, why are doctors failing to treat people with special needs, and sole benefits trust: qualify for Medicaid and aid a loved one.
2022 December SNH Newsletter
December 7th, 2022
In this issue: Can a person who receives disability benefits own a car, 3 changes you must report as an SSI recipient, Feds announce new strategy to support family caregivers, and what is the qualified disabled and working individuals program?
2022 November SNH Newsletter
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
2022 October SNH Newsletter
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.
2022 September SNH Newsletter
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.
2022 August SNH Newsletter
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?
2022 July SNH Newsletter
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?
2022 June SNH Newsletter
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?
2022 May SNH Newsletter
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?
2022 April SNH Newsletter
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.
2022 March SNH Newsletter
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.
2022 February SNH Newsletter
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.
2022 January SNH Newsletter
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?
2021 December SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 November SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 October SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 September SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 August SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 July SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 June SNH Newsletter
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?
2021 May SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 April SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 March SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 February SNH Newsletter
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.
2021 January SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 December SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 November SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 October SNH Newsletter
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
2020 September SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 August SNH Newsletter
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
2020 July SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 June SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 May SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 April SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 March SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 February SNH Newsletter
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.
2020 January SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 December SNH Newsletter
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Due to technological issues, we were unable to send out the SNH newsletter in time for this month.
2019 November SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 October SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 September SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 August SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 July SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 June SNH Newsletter
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.
2019 May SNH Newsletter
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
2019 April SNH Newsletter- The Inaugural Issue
APRIL 23, 2019
In this inaugural issue: Special needs trusts, kiddie tax changes, a new SSA proposal, and California gets sued over sidewalk use