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 Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate The announcement on March 27, 2025 from HHS unveiling its “Transformation to Make America Healthy Again” indicated that President Trump’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2025 would close critical agencies serving people with disabilities, including the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Substance Abuse…

By Marion M. Walsh On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”). ED distributes $15 billion to support students with disabilities, to states every year and oversees everything from early intervention for young children with disabilities to vocational rehabilitation, in addition to ensuring that the…

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 Arshi Pal, Esq. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is an important document that lays out the foundation for a student with a disability’s education and supports. The Committee on Special Education (CSE) must convene annually to review the student’s IEP according to the student’s needs. Annual review season is upon us. Let’s get back…

By Brian L. Miller Every year, the New York State Department of Health updates the allowed income and resource limits for Medicaid applicants and recipients. For Medicaid applicants seeking community Medicaid benefits on or after January 1, 2025, individuals are allowed monthly income of $1,800 plus a $20 unearned income credit and are allowed to…

By Joel Krooks Ringing in the new year brings updated estate and gift tax exemption amounts for 2025. The federal estate and gift tax exemption have now risen to $13.99 million per person, allowing married couples the advantage of portability, effectively safeguarding $27.98 million from estate taxes upon death. The tax rate for gifts and…

By Joel Krooks, Esq. Many individuals and families understand the importance of having estate planning in place. However, just because you have your estate planning in place does not mean that you are done. Things change and it is important for you to review your estate planning documents to make sure that your goals and…

By Arshi Pal, Esq. The start of the new school year can be a bittersweet time for parents and students. Many will be excited for the new opportunities and lessons during the school year, whereas others may be sad to wave summer break goodbye. As children soak up the last few days of summer, parents…

For many individuals, their home is their most cherished asset. Whether it’s a co-op apartment, condo, or house, it often represents a lifetime of memories and is at times their most valuable investment. As people age, ensuring that the value of their home is preserved and passed down to their loved ones becomes a primary…