Special Needs Trusts, letters of intent, and long-term financial planning — the tools families rely on.
First-party and third-party Special Needs Trusts both protect benefits eligibility — but they have very different rules, especially around Medicaid payback. Here's what distinguishes them and which applies to your situation.
When a disabled person turns 18, families often assume guardianship is the only option. It's not. Supported decision-making preserves legal rights while still providing the help a person needs.
A Special Needs Trust lets a person with a disability hold assets without losing SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Here's what an SNT is, the different types, how money can be spent, and when you actually need one.
A representative payee is a person or organization that receives and manages Social Security benefits on behalf of someone who needs help. Here's how payees are appointed, what they're required to do, and what your rights are.