Financial challenges related to people with autism to include government programs (Supplemental Security Income SSI), savings accounts, wills, financial planning for therapies and potentially a lifetime of care.
My 30-year old brother, Edward, has autism. He lives with my parents, and they are not in the best of health. I am 45 years old, and I have two other siblings. We all have families and are all concerned about what will happen when my brother is no longer able to live with my […]
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Question: My son is 17.5 years old and we are not sure if we should move forward with Guardianship. Do you have any advice on how to make that decision? For some families the question of attaining Guardianship for their child with autism at age 18 is an easy one, simply based on their child’s […]
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Question: “We have been saving for our son, who has Autism, in a 529 college plan since he was born. He is now 16 years old, and it appears as though he will not have the ability to attend college and use that money. He is our youngest child, and all of our other children […]
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Question: “I created a Special Needs Trust several years ago, but now my son has an ABLE account. Do I still need a Special Needs Trust?” I have been asked this question quite often since the ABLE accounts were passed into law and became available. The quick answer is, “Absolutely, you still need a Special […]
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A newly published study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the number of children diagnosed with a developmental disability has “increased significantly” in recent years. This means that more children (and eventual adults) will be applying for services funded by an ever-changing government benefits system. In September 2019, Tennessee became […]
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My 11-year-old son played his last Little League “fall ball” game in late October. He was happy to report to me that he had two good hits and pitched two innings. He was sad when he reported to me a tag he made that the umpire called “safe.” My son had the ball under control […]
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Question: As the holidays are upon us, my son will be receiving cash as holiday gifts from grandparents and aunts and uncles. We are currently preparing to ensure he can receive government benefits as he will be turning 18 in February. Will these gifts be a problem for him being able to qualify for government […]
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Let’s first define “why” you would want either type of account. One of the main reasons families create a Special Needs Trust and open an ABLE account is because these are the only two accounts in which your child with autism can have money in excess of $2,000 and still qualify for government benefits such […]
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Parents of adult disabled children have a greater reason than most to fear their death. What will happen to my child? How can people of modest means plan for those 20 or 40 years between our death and the death of that adult child? What if the child’s abilities cannot be readily translated into gainful […]
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How to apply for autism grants Applying for grants can seem like a daunting process. Don’t let paperwork, reference letters, and the waiting game discourage you from filling out an application. As an increasing volume of research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is published, public awareness is rising, and services—including grants—are more readily available than […]
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Could you describe the changes in the ABLE account rules that were brought about by the new federal tax legislation? As most of you know, the ABLE Act was passed back at the end of 2014 and paved the way for individuals diagnosed with a disability before the age of 26 to save money without […]
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Question: “We have three children, and only one of our children has autism. How do we know the amount of money we need to provide for each of our children?” It is very common to feel uneasy about determining the amount of money that your child with autism may need for a lifetime of support […]
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Question: “My husband and I have been researching special needs trust, and we have realized there are multiple types. Would you mind describing the types of special needs trusts that exist and the reasons for each? Answer: You are correct. Special Needs Trust is a broad term that can comprise various types of trusts. We […]
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Question: It is the beginning of a new year, I want to start saving for my child’s future, and I heard quite a bit about the ABLE Accounts. Is an ABLE a good account to begin saving in for my child’s future? — Abigail Saving for your child’s future is a great step in helping […]
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If you are the parent, caregiver or representative of a child younger than 18 who has disabilities, there are many possible government benefits that you and they could be eligible to receive. In addition, an adult who became disabled in childhood prior to age 22 might also be eligible for benefits as well. Supplemental Security […]
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I was so proud when one of my recently-graduated students with autism got a job at his family-run jewelry store. When I visited him there, he was the only one working, and a few customers were browsing. I was interested in purchasing a necklace, so he took out a few large trays of jewelry which […]
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Question: “I am in the military and heard there is a new benefit for military retirees that can help my child with autism. Is this true? If so, what is it?” – Jerry The simple answer to your question is YES. For those individuals who have served our country for their career in one of […]
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rQuestion: “My father is going through early onset Alzheimer’s and I am watching the financial and emotional stress it is taking on him and my mother. I can only imagine if that happened to my wife and I while we trying to care for our son with autism. What can we do? — Rick Answer: […]
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Retirement planning is an important area of an individual’s and a family’s life. Proper planning will allow for a better life and one that is usually more enjoyable. For most folks in the United States, retirement planning includes saving as much money as they can in their 401(k) and maximizing their monthly social security payment. […]
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Question: “As 2016 begins, I am thinking again about planning for my son and his future with special needs. He is 14 years old, and at this time we are not sure how much support he will need in the future. His mother and I feel so overwhelmed, but we just don’t know where to […]
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Tom asks, “I know there was a question regarding guardianship in a prior issue. Based upon the questions that were posed in your answer, I am not sure if my daughter will need guardianship, but she may still need some protection. Are there any alternatives to guardianship?” Tom, thank you for your question. Your question […]
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Question: I have a Special Needs Trust for my son; however, I am not funding it at this time. I just have not been able to find the extra money in our budget to fund the special needs trust, especially after we save for our own retirement. What is the best way to fund a […]
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How to Get Paid for Helping a Disabled Child in the Home by Leslie Burby Instructions Call or visit your state’s disability state council. To find your state’s disability council click the link – http://www.nacdd.org/about-nacdd/council-listings-map.aspx#Connecticut Get the grant application forms that fit you and your family’s specific needs from the Vocational Rehabilitation and Public […]
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