Ruthann P Lacey, PC

The Social Security Administration is expanding access to SSI by updating the definition of a public assistance household, improving eligibility and support for applicants.

More details here: https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-to-expand-access-to-ssi-program-by-updating-definition-of-a-public-assistance-household/.

Are you drowning in paperwork for your child? What documents are important to keep and how do you organize everything so you can find what you need quickly? Sitara Nayak, from Parent to Parent of GA, will help us understand the methods of categorizing and the skills we need to develop as well as how technology can help us!

May 15, 2024
7:00-8:00 PM Via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqdO6hqTsrGNwC3vCsn9yG7kt6hZ9Y_NRm #/registration

Government Programs for Children With Special Needs This post was authored by SNA member Johanna A. Pickel, LLM, JD. of Johanna A. Pickel LLC. in Kalispell, MT and Albuquerque, NM. She practices in the areas of estate planning, elder law, asset protection, special needs planning, Medicaid crisis planning, probate, and estate and trust administration....

SSI vs. SSDI: What Are These Benefits and How Do They Differ? SSI and SSDI are often misunderstood. Learn everything you need to know about how these two federal benefits programs, including how they differ, eligibility, pay out amounts, and how to apply.

See the Braves play!

Join us for a day of learning and fun with the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park! It’s free to eligible Georgia high school students with a disability. BDI will coordinate transportation to the Atlanta Braves Truist Park. Lunch and t-shirts will be provided for the event.

Deadline for sign-up is Friday, May 3, 2024.

Contact Monique Bell, [email protected], BDI Manager, Programs and Business Services for registration questions.

Effective September 30, 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer consider food when calculating In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) for SSI recipients. This change impacts both the One-Third Reduction Rule (VTR) and the Presumed Maximum Value Rule (PMV).
Here's a breakdown of the new rules:
What's Included in ISM Now: Only defined shelter expenses will be considered (rent, utilities, etc.). Food costs are excluded.
VTR: This rule applies when an SSI recipient lives with someone else and receives free shelter but all meals are provided. The benefit reduction remains at 1/3.
PMV: This applies when VTR doesn't and the recipient receives some ISM. The benefit reduction is now based on shelter costs only, not including food.
This is a significant change that will benefit many SSI recipients. Share this post to help raise awareness!

A recent study shows the importance of Medicaid benefits for individuals with Down Syndrome.

Study: Medicaid Critical for U.S. Adults With Down Syndrome Individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy for this population has dramatically increased to a median age of 57.

Play tennis? Consider volunteering! It’s a lot of fun!

We are on the hunt for Unified Partners for the Summer Olympics on May 24-26th hosted at Emory University. Please see attached for more details. Please consider volunteering and/or recruiting your tennis friends that you feel would be good partners for our athletes. This year is especially challenging as the event falls on Memorial Day weekend. Any recruiting help will be greatly appreciated!

Any questions, please email Helen at [email protected]

Good reading!

Ten Common Mistakes in Special Needs Planning 1. Failure to Start with a Life Care Plan. A life care plan can be designed by a professional, a parent, or another family member with the assistance of professionals. The life care plan should begin by identifying the future needs of the child with a disability and

Buying a House with a Third-Party Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Repayment

Buying a House with a Third-Party Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Repayment This post was authored by SNA member Leonard R. Anderson, Esq., a founding member of Barlow Anderson, LLC in Anchorage, Alaska. An SNA member since 2017, he focuses his practice on the areas of elder law, estate planning and probate, special needs planning, asset protection planning, and guardian/co...

Good advice!

What is the biggest mistake when applying for Social Security? Applying to early.

To maximize your chances of getting approved, get our newest ultimate guide to a smooth SSI application process at https://bobbydodd.org/your-ultimate-guide-to-a-smooth-ssi-application-process/

Financial Resources and Discounts for Students With Disabilities From the most important federal financial aid information to helpful deals to awesome free stuff.

A big THANK YOU to all of the awesome presenters at Friday’s Special Needs Trusts program, sponsored by Institute of Continuing Legal Education of the State Bar of Georgia: Bryn Poland with Mayo & Poland PLLC, Sarah Watchko with Hill & Watchko, LLC, Anna Maki with Bobby Dodd Institute, Rachel Baer with Commonwealth Community Trust (CCT), Karen Konvicka representing True Link Financial, Hillary Cranford with Andrew Merritt Reilly & Smith, and Roger Kirschenbaum with MendenFreiman. The result was an awesome 21st annual Special Needs Trust program!

Join Anita Gardner for a LIVE Webinar covering budgeting strategies for Special Needs Trust Funds.

In this session, you will learn:

- The importance of conducting a thorough needs assessment to identify and prioritize the unique expenses associated with healthcare, education, housing, transportation, therapy, and other essential services, while also enhancing the individual's quality of life.

- Creating a comprehensive budget that includes understanding income sources, expenses, and the allocation of funds for different categories.

- Strategies for maximizing government benefits while preserving public benefit eligibility, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, and how to navigate the complex rules and regulations governing these programs.

- Importance of regularly monitoring and adjusting the budget to accommodate changing needs and circumstances.

Register at https://bobbydodd.org/bdi-empowers-webinar

I'm proud to be a member of the Special Needs Alliance. The SNA recently published a handbook that addresses legal issues that impact adults with disabilities. You can download your copy here!

What You Need to Know About Being an Adult with Disabilities What You Need to Know About Being an Adult with Disabilities: A Handbook for Self-Advocates, Parents, Guardians and Their Loved Ones Supportive services and legal arrangements are only part of a person’s transition to adulthood. Relationships, school, and housing involve additional perspectives th...

What is Elder Law, and why does it matter to you?
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/senior_lawyers/publications/voice_of_experience/2019/august-2019/what-is-elder-law-and-why-care/?fbclid=IwAR3AQPX4e7wC1IcfjAWY7_Vkd-JHE8wC1M0vuMrJYnlkjZJ6XFd4YQSxjac

What is Elder Law: And why do you care? A rapidly expanding field of practice known as Elder Law has become characterized by growth into areas of legal expertise beyond estate planning and senior resident rights. Learn how to serve the legal needs of America's largest age group.

2024 Annual Gift and Estate Tax Exemption Adjustments - Courtney Elder Law Associates With the arrival of the new year, revisions to the annual gift tax and estate tax exclusions will be going into effect, as recently announced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Gift Tax Exemption for 2024 Every calendar year, you can gift up to a certain amount to another individual (or individu...

Georgia attorneys -- Don't miss the annual ICLE Special Needs Trust program on February 2nd. We have a great line up of presenters and topics, for everyone from beginner to advanced. I hope to see you there!

Special Needs Trusts Special Needs Trusts

Apply today! The FOCUS Equipment Grant Application Deadline is January 15...just 10 DAYS AWAY!!! Visit https://focus-ga.org/program/equipment-grant-program/ to learn more and to apply.

FOCUS provides grants for children with disabilities who would benefit from the equipment to support participation in daily life. FOCUS Equipment Grants cover certain types of equipment not covered by private insurance or Medicaid. Parents or legal guardians of a with a medically fragile condition, age 21 or younger, with a primary residence in Georgia may apply for Equipment. Each application is reviewed by our Equipment Review Committee.

KB, GAPP, NOW/COMP ... if these acronyms do not look familiar, your family may not be getting all of the services and supports that they need to live a full and supported life.

Join Parent to Parent of Georgia as we partner with F.A.S.T (Family Autism Support Team) to present information regarding Medicaid Waiver Programs and Services. This course will include information on EPSDT, Katie Beckett, GAPP and a brief overview of CCSP, SOURCE, ICWP and NOW/COMP waivers.

Webinar: Georgia Medicaid Basics and an Overview of Home and Community-Based Services

Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Time: 12 pm - 1 pm

Register via the link below:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Georgia Medicaid Basics and an Overview of Home and Community-Based Services. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Join us as P2P in collaboration with F.A.S.T (Family Autism Support team) discuss Medicaid programs and services, including how to qualify for Medicaid based on a child’s disability or chronic health condition (Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver). This course will include information on EPSDT, GAPP, SOU...

Wow -- impressive numbers!

Latest Accenture Research Confirms Disability Inclusive Companies Are More Profitable New Research from Accenture shows that disability-inclusive companies outperform their competitors on every conceivable economic metric.

Curious about Georgia's Medicaid Waivers? Anna Maki with Bobby Dodd Institute is doing a virtual training on December 21st at 10:00. Register here:

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

What do you think? Is this a good idea?https://www.amazon.com/Airtag-Holder-Insoles-People-235mm-250mm/dp/B0BWYH6HQN/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?crid=D896Z23YNN4U&keywords=walkafit%2Bairtag%2Bshoe&qid=1696605469&sprefix=walkafit%2Bairtag%2Bshoe%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1-fkmr1&th=1&fbclid=IwAR3ZGMro0ZmX1IlPRRTKb0ndkZst1FVRw5H-Aetpl6ryiKW7d34es8_FjZM

https://www.fool.com/retirement/2023/10/02/3-reasons-to-seriously-consider-using-a-will-to-pa/?fbclid=IwAR25jW_GEYp6T5nPCKDJWUz9eEDZZga3nRPczyV6TdQfjJpZmtxaO56-VRg

3 Reasons to Seriously Consider Using a Will to Pass an Inheritance to Your Family | The Motley Fool A long legal history makes the will a sound choice for many.

Georgia teen with autism finds passion, business success with baking cheesecakes

https://www.alz.org/media/cacentral/dementia-care-45-the-power-of-ice-cream.pdf

www.alz.org

Do You Need a Trust? Estate Planning Q&A - Courtney Elder Law Associates According to the 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Survey by Caring.com, only 34 percent of Americans have an estate plan.  The primary reasons respondents gave for not participating in estate planning are: An estate plan is a comprehensive set of legal documents and strategies that organizes assets ...