A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a legal structure that allows you to set aside assets for a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits. Whether you need one depends on your family’s goals, the type of benefits your loved one receives, and how you want to structure long‑term support.

ABLE accounts allow individuals with qualifying disabilities to save money in a tax‑advantaged account without affecting certain benefits. They are simpler and more flexible than SNTs but have contribution limits and eligibility restrictions. Many families use both tools together.

Benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid have strict income and asset limits. Our planning ensures that financial support for your loved one is structured in a way that preserves eligibility while still providing quality of life enhancements.

Yes. While we don’t place families directly into housing, we regularly help clients understand their options and connect with the right resources. This may include coordinating with care managers, reviewing funding strategies, and helping you evaluate residential programs, supported living arrangements, or long‑term care options. Our role is to guide the financial and planning side while partnering with professionals who specialize in housing placement.

The definition of “disability” depends on the context as financial planning, government benefits, education services, and legal documents all use their own criteria. In general, a child may be considered to have a disability if a physical, cognitive, developmental, or mental‑health condition significantly limits daily functioning or requires ongoing support.

For financial and benefits planning, eligibility is usually based on how the condition affects your child’s ability to work, learn, or live independently, not on a specific diagnosis alone. Because each program has its own rules, we help families understand which definitions apply, what documentation may be needed, and how to navigate the process.

If you’re unsure how your child’s situation fits into these definitions, we can walk through it together and help you understand the relevant criteria for your planning goals.

Different systems use different criteria to determine whether someone is considered to have a disability. This can be confusing for families, because a child may qualify under one program but not another. Here’s a simple overview:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • SSI uses a federal definition focused on how a condition limits a person’s ability to work or, for children, how it limits daily functioning compared to peers. Medical documentation and functional limitations are key.

• Medicaid

  • Medicaid often follows SSI’s definition, but each state may have additional pathways or criteria. Eligibility can depend on income, assets, and level of care needed.

• School‑Based Services (IEP/504)

  • Education laws use their own definitions. A child may qualify for services if a disability affects learning or access to the school environment, even if they don’t meet SSI or Medicaid criteria.

• Legal and Estate Planning

  • Trusts, guardianship, and other legal documents may rely on broader or more flexible definitions, depending on the attorney’s guidance and the family’s goals.

Because each program evaluates disability differently, we help families understand which definitions apply to their situation and how to navigate the requirements for each.