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SSI and SSDI Claims
Special Education Advocacy

Disclosing Disabilities in the Workplace

Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Whether to disclose an invisible disability to a potential employer poses a challenge.  Disability information is confidential and potential employees may be concerned about discrimination during the hiring process if they disclose a disability.  While both employees and employers can benefit from disclosure and understanding, disclosing can also…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

New Federal Law Helps Protect Seniors

Bipartisan legislation was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump to protect seniors from financial exploitation. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act passed Congress as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act and was signed into law on October 18, 2017. The legislation, authored by U.S. Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas…

Special Needs Planning

ABLE Account Update for 2018

In our earlier blog post, ABLE Accounts: What You Need to Know, we discussed what an ABLE Account is, who can contribute and some of the many benefits it can provide. Starting in the 2018 tax year, the Internal Revenue Service has increased the total annual contribution per ABLE Account from $14,000 to $15,000. By…

Employee Disability Benefit
Special Education Advocacy

Proposed Legislation Would Weaken Americans with Disabilities Act

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has provided strong protections to people with disabilities, vastly improving the accessibility of buildings. Stores, restaurants and other businesses built ramps and made other accessibility changes because the law required the changes and the owners knew that courts would…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

New Elder Abuse Protections in New York State

A bill signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in September requires state agencies to create guidelines that will assist healthcare providers in identifying elder abuse. The law calls for the development of screening tools, questions that healthcare providers can ask, and other resources they can use to report abuse or seek additional assistance. The…

College Transition
Special Education Advocacy

New Investigation Shows that NYC Students are not Receiving Services Under RSA Voucher Program

Most students with disabilities require related services to make progress towards their educational goals. A student’s Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) documents the related services that the student’s IEP team recommends. The School District must ensure that the student receives the full mandate of services. Frequently, and particularly within the New York City Department of Education, the…

Corporate & Securities

Have Reservations? How to Choose the Right Entity and Financing for your Restaurant

If you’re thinking of starting, purchasing or expanding a restaurant, you will likely need some capital. Although you do have a menu of options to choose from, you will need to make sure you order up the right structure to fit your financing needs. The Restaurant Roundtable Series consisted of Citrin Cooperman CPAs & Practice…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

IRS Increases Annual Exclusion for Gifts

By: Amy C. O’Hara, CELA, Partner, Littman Krooks LLP December 31st will be upon us before we know it.  As estate planning attorneys, now is the time of year we work with clients to evaluate their wealth transfer strategies prior to year-end and for the coming year. Effective January 1, 2018, the IRS has confirmed…

Special Needs Planning

ABLE Accounts: What You Need to Know

By Ryan J. Byrnes, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP The purpose of the ABLE program is to assist individuals with disabilities with saving funds in accounts to better enhance their quality of life. The program is intended to supplement, not supplant, government entitlements, such as Medicaid and SSI. Distributions from the account can be used to…

Special Education Law
Special Education Advocacy

DeVos Rescinds 72 Guidance Documents for Students with Disabilities

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP On October 2, 2017, the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) rescinded 72 Guidance Documents which explained regulatory obligations of school districts for students with disabilities. This rescission  has caused a public outcry due to its suddenness and lack of…