President of the Special Needs Alliance "Improving the Medicaid Program for Beneficiaries" A hearing by the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health United States House of Representatives Friday, September 18, 2015 Statement of Richard A. Courtney, CELA* CAP** President of the Special Needs Alliance "Improving the Medicaid Program for Beneficiaries" Committee on Energy [...]
SNA attorneys have ongoing involvement with a wide array of issues faced by individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them. Below is a sampling of posts from member blogs and newsletters. Supported Decision-Making: A Model Alternative to Guardianship? Supported decision-making is an approach to enabling individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to control the [...]
By Neal A. Winston, CELA According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), over seven million individuals currently require assistance with their monthly SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Dependents Insurance (RSDI) benefits. For that reason, SSA has the Representative Payee Program, through which it authorizes family members, friends, government agencies, and [...]
Special Needs Planning for Moving to a New State By Wendy H. Sheinberg, CELA No one enjoys moving; it's hard work and involves lots of detail (not to mention all of those boxes). Managing the transition for someone with special needs can be difficult; it's wise to begin planning as soon as you begin seriously [...]
By Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy, The Arc Aging parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) often worry about what the future will hold for their sons and daughters, and many families need support and guidance to plan for the future. Recognizing this growing need, The Arc decided to take action. [...]
By Joanne Marcus, MSW, Executive Director, Commonwealth Community Trust The first months, or even years, after receiving the diagnosis are filled with unexpected questions and challenges when you have a loved one with special needs. “Here-and-now” needs like healthcare, therapy, education and other immediate needs can quickly take priority over future planning, which is understandable. [...]
By Sally L. Schoffstall, CELA During this mid-term election year, there are urgent issues at stake that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Budget battles at every level of government threaten Medicaid, SSDI, Medicare and other programs that are essential to their quality of life. Special education continues to face resource challenges. Yet [...]
Mental Illness Awareness Month A Largely Unaddressed Epidemic Laurie Hanson, Esq., October 13, 2013 The Do’s and Don’ts When Hiring an Employee with Special Needs Amy Goodman, Co-Director, Autism Now, September 22, 2013 Key Considerations for Special Needs Planning Morningstar.com, September 16, 2013 Looming Budget Deadlines Threaten Safety Net By Bridget Swartz and Morris Klein, [...]
Why use a Special Needs Alliance attorney? Because our attorneys understand how complicated it is to help someone with disabilities build a life that's grounded in dignity, personal choice and financial security. They stay abreast of ever-shifting state and federal public benefit systems, they are active members of the special needs community and they can [...]
Special needs attorneys are well positioned to advise trustees, personal injury attorneys, structured settlement brokers and estate planners on the intricacies of disability and public benefits law. These are evolving areas of practice, and professionals who are unfamiliar with them risk liability for inadequately addressing client needs. Trustees Administering a special needs trust (SNT) involves [...]