Thursday, September 14, 2017

Parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities often carry heavy loads. From the very first steps of the special needs journey, parents are faced with an overload of information. They are responsible for making huge decisions that impact the future of their family member with a disability, as well as the family as a whole. This responsibility can be overwhelming and exhausting.

If this is how you feel – stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed – don’t worry. Most (if not all) parents who have a child or children with special needs feel the same. It is this feeling, in fact, that inspired the creation of M&L Special Needs Planning. Our primary goal is to help you simplify – as much as possible – the complex journey of special needs. We pride ourselves on providing current, reliable, and relevant information to parents who need guidance, and we will continue to work to be the go-to resource for all things special-needs related.

As a part of the commitment to helping families with special needs stay informed and make good planning choices, M&L staff have designed a series of workshops on a variety of topics related to special needs planning. This fall (October 2017), M&L will be hosting two of these workshops: Understanding SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare, and Navigating the Financial World of the Special Needs Family.

Understanding SSI/Medicaid and SSDI/Medicare: October 4th, 2017

Understanding SSI/Medicaid & SSDI/Medicare is designed to help families reach a greater understanding of the types of government benefits programs available. These benefits are explained in clear, concise language – we spend time discussing what exactly the government benefits and programs are, their importance, when to apply, how to apply, how to qualify, and how much money the individual with special needs may receive. We will discuss the process of transitioning between SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), and how to keep Medicaid and/or Medicare without SSI or SSDI. We also briefly touch on work incentives, and how they assist beneficiaries with their employment efforts.

This presentation can provide clarity to those struggling with these issues and ensure that you possess the information and resources needed to secure valuable government benefits. M&L staff helps families apply for SSI and SSDI, and has had success overturning appeals.

This seminar will take place Wednesday, October 4th 2017 from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Treatment and Learning Center in Rockville, MD. If you are interested in attending, please follow this link to register and for directions to the venue.

Navigating the Financial World of the Special Needs Family – October 25th. 2017

Many people often ask us, “What is the key to special needs planning?” Well, there is no easy answer to that question. Each family is unique, with individual goals and challenges, resources and expenses. It is impossible to come with a one size fits all solution, or “guide to” special needs planning. Navigating the Financial World of the Family with Special Needs is a workshop that is designed to provide valuable financial planning information and tips to families with special needs, which families can then use to plan for their own unique situations.

As well as providing families with the information needed to financially plan for the future, this workshop also serves another important purpose: it covers topics that can often be uncomfortable to consider, but are essential to any sort of long-term financial or legal plan. For example, we discuss providing for the individual with special needs after the parents are gone, i.e. through insurance concepts, special needs trust, and housing opportunities.  Planning for the financial (and other) ramifications of “solo care” in the event of a death of a spouse/partner is explored. We also touch on legal and estate issues, the Special Needs Trust, as well as the Letter of Intent. Finally, we discuss how completing our Comprehensive Special Needs Financial Life Plan will enable you to be proactive in planning for the entire family’s financial future.

The seminar will take place Wednesday, October 25th from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Treatment and Learning Center in Rockville, MD. Follow this link to register and for directions to the venue.

For more information on these seminars, or special needs financial planning in general please visit M&L Special Needs Planning’s website, www.specialneedsplanning.net