By: Jessica Saio As the holiday season unfolds, we often find ourselves gathering with family, reflecting on the past year, and planning for the future. These moments are a powerful reminder to consider the long-term well-being of our aging family members, relatives with special needs, and other loved ones who may require extra care and…

By Joel Krooks For individuals with disabilities, maintaining access to public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid is essential. However, receiving an inheritance or financial gift can unintentionally jeopardize eligibility for these benefits. This is where a Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) comes in. What Is a Supplemental Needs Trust? A Supplemental Needs Trust…

By: Jessica Saio Special Needs Trusts or SNTs are an essential tool to care for children and adults with disabilities while protecting important public benefits such as Social Security and Medicaid. There are several types of SNTs, usually categorized as first party, pooled, and third party SNTs. It is important to determine which type of…

By Jessica A. Saio The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released new data highlighting that the number of employed individuals with disabilities has hit a record high. In 2023, 22.5% of individuals with disabilities had jobs, which is an increase from 2022. Since COVID-19, more job opportunities have emerged, and benefits such as…

This issue of The Voice® is written by fellow SNA member Rachel Trafton, Esq. of Maine Elder Law Firm LLC in Bangor, Maine. The firm focuses exclusively on the legal needs of aging Mainers and people with disabilities, including special needs planning, long-term care planning and estate and trust administration.

Attorney Trafton’s article appears in the March 2024 – Vol. 18, Issue 3 edition of Special Needs Alliance’s The Voice®.

By Joel Krooks, Esq. Individuals with disabilities can now contribute $18,000 annually to their ABLE account, an increase from the $17,000 limit in 2023. Money in an ABLE account can be used toward qualified disability expenses, which include education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, health, funeral and burial, basic living expenses and legal fees. An…

By Amy C. O’Hara, CELA 17-A guardianship, a legal mechanism in New York State designed to provide protection and support for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, has come under scrutiny in recent years. Most recently, a lawsuit filed by Disabilities Rights New York has raised questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the 17-A…

By: Sandi Rosenbaum As same-aged peers move on to college and toward independent living and financial self-sufficiency, many young adults continue to reside with their parents. For some, this is strictly a financial matter, as many young people working full time cannot afford to live on their own or are saving money toward a future…

By Jessica A. Saio Social Security Income (SSI) provides money to approximately eight million people, including many individuals with disabilities, to help afford daily living. The federal government has had the same rules in place for over thirty years regarding how much money people can earn, save, and have in their bank accounts if they…

In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, navigating the intricacies of Medicaid benefits can be particularly challenging, especially for working individuals with disabilities. As attorneys licensed in New York and experienced in Elder Law and Special Needs Planning, our firm strives to provide clarity and guidance to empower individuals with disabilities to secure the essential Medicaid…