Special Needs Planning

Planning for a lifetime of care and financial support of a loved one requires a different and very coordinated approach. Siclari Legal helps families create plans that protect access to benefits while also providing financial support, care structure, and long-term security for their loved one over the course of their lifetime.

 

Keeping in mind that Medicaid eligibility is required DDD eligibility, great care is required to be sure a secure plan is in place. Services through the DDD include residential support, day programs, employment and vocational services, and in-home support and can evolve over the course of decades as needs change — so your plan may also need to evolve. We help plan for that too.

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Specifically, we help families to:

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• Plan for, obtain, and maintain Medicaid eligibility

• Coordinate eligibility with DDD services

• Prevent disqualification by carefully structuring assets and income

• Develop a long-term strategy for care and support.

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When to Start Special Needs Planning

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Families begin to work with us at different stages, thought the sooner the better. Situations that prompt them to our involvement include: 

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• When a child receives a diagnosis

• Within 6 months to a year before an 18th birthday 

• When a parent, grandparent, or other relative is planning their own estate

• A significant injury or situation resulting in a disability

• After receiving notification of an inheritance or legal settlement

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Each situation presents different considerations and strategies, but at the end of the day the main goal is to provide care and financial support for your loved one without disrupting the benefits they need.

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A Coordinated Approach with a Long-term Lense

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Special needs planning is not a stand-alone category. We work with families to develop a special needs plan, we weave it into other types of plans: estate planning, guardianship or alternatives to guardianship, Medicaid planning, and future estate planning. We take a coordinated approach to ensure everything works together today and in the future.

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Financial Tools for People with Special Needs

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We help families incorporate supplemental (special needs) trust planning while we guide them in forming an estate plan. This also involves:

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• Naming trustees and decision-makers

• Coordinating the designation of beneficiaries

• Planning for long-term care and support

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There are various financial mechanisms for people with special needs.  These involve: special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Medicaid. It is important to note that these programs have strict income and asset limits, therefore even well-intentioned financial decisions can create unintended consequences (for more details on these financial mechanisms, click here).

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We take special needs planning very seriously. We understand the seriousness of the situation and will design a plan alongside you, addressing all questions and concerns. Together we can plan so that families can feel confident and have peace of mind. Request your Special Needs Planning consultation by filling out the form below or by calling the office at 908.335.9601. 

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