Navigating a Unique & Often Confusing Process Special needs planning is a unique process Special needs planning is a unique process Parents must search out accurate information and sound guidance Parents must search out accurate information and sound guidance

Designing an effective special needs plan for your child involves working through a number of factors and making some difficult decisions. The goal of this workshop is to provide you with seven core concepts that you’ll ultimately need to become familiar with and make informed decisions surrounding.

1. Social Security Education & Application Key Notes: Application in most cases can be made beginning at age 18 Federal Regulation Restricts Assets for Someone on SSI to $2,000 or Less

Social Security… continued What does social security provide? What does social security provide? Can vary by individual, but may provide access to: Can vary by individual, but may provide access to: Monthly cash stipend Monthly cash stipend Access to housing Access to housing Qualification for medicaid Qualification for medicaid Job coaching Job coaching Social skills training Social skills training … and much more by case … and much more by case

2. Self Determination & Advocacy At age 18 your child is an adult and your access to information will end To gain access to information (medically, financially and otherwise) actions are necessary

Guardianships & Alternatives Guardianship Guardianship Limited Guardianship Limited Guardianship Durable Powers Durable Powers Self Determination & Advocacy … continued

3. Basic Legal Plan Will What does a will do? What does a will do? 1 – Establishes a guardian for our children (under age 18) 1 – Establishes a guardian for our children (under age 18) 2 – Directs where our “stuff” goes 2 – Directs where our “stuff” goes Rep is not an attorney. Rep will help review the documents and recommend a local attorney that specialized in Estate Planning. Estate Planning can involve a complex web of tax rules and regulations. You should consider the counsel of an experienced estate planning professional before implementing any strategy.

Basic Legal Plan… continued Trust What does a trust do different from a will? What does a trust do different from a will? Avoids probate Avoids probate Moves our “stuff in a backpack” Moves our “stuff in a backpack” Rep is not an attorney. Rep will help review the documents and recommend a local attorney that specialized in Estate Planning. Estate Planning can involve a complex web of tax rules and regulations. You should consider the counsel of an experienced estate planning professional before implementing any strategy.

4. Special Needs Trust How does it protect my child’s ability to benefit from governmental assistance? How does it protect my child’s ability to benefit from governmental assistance? What can it offer in terms of supplemental resources? What can it offer in terms of supplemental resources? What are the restrictions? What are the restrictions? Rep is not an attorney. Rep will help review the documents and recommend a local attorney that specialized in Estate Planning. Estate Planning can involve a complex web of tax rules and regulations. You should consider the counsel of an experienced estate planning professional before implementing any strategy.

Special Needs Trust… continued Funding: Our Planning is Different Parents’ Childhood Time Line Death of Both Parents Parents’ Current Working Years Parents’ Retirement Years Preparation for working years. Time spent raising children, preparing for retirement and setting up long term care of children. Time spent in retirement and preparing for long term care of children. Time needed to raise and support the special needs child

5. Continuity of Care Guide Do you have a plan to educate future guardians? Do you have a plan to educate future guardians? Is there a written blueprint that guides the next caregiver? Is there a written blueprint that guides the next caregiver?

6. Post-Education Planning Educational Options Educational Options Traditional post secondary education Traditional post secondary education Non-traditional Non-traditional Employment Options Employment Options Income Income Social outlet Social outlet Quality of life issues Quality of life issues

Post-Education Planning… continued Ticket-to-Work Program Ticket-to-Work Program Ages Ages Employment Network Employment Network Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) Goal: training, services, business startup, school, equipment/tools, transportation Goal: training, services, business startup, school, equipment/tools, transportation Allow to save for goals Allow to save for goals

7. Independent Living / Living Arrangements Group Home – professional vs private Group Home – professional vs private Home Living – professional vs no support Home Living – professional vs no support Community Living – apartment, residential Community Living – apartment, residential Goal: Transition before parents can no longer provide care Goal: Transition before parents can no longer provide care

Are You Prepared? Planning for your child’s future is one of the most important tasks you will ever be given. Planning for your child’s future is one of the most important tasks you will ever be given. Special needs planning is unique. Special needs planning is unique. It is imperative that professionals involved with this work are experts in the field of special needs planning. It is imperative that professionals involved with this work are experts in the field of special needs planning.

How Do You Start? Commit to yourself that you are going to begin Commit to yourself that you are going to begin Utilize a process with professional guidance Utilize a process with professional guidance