Our SpecialCare Planners are financial services professionals who have a focus on special needs planning.
You want the best for your dependent’s lifetime care, but sometimes sufficient financial resources to meet those needs may not be available. The death of one or both caregivers can easily disrupt the continuation of the dependent’s financial safety net.
Additionally, the unique supplies, equipment, and treatments your dependent needs can strain even families with significant personal assets. Fortunately, financial relief may be available. State and federal government programs, community resources, Social Security benefits, private foundations, medical insurance, and special education
resources may be able to provide some aid.
A SpecialCare Planner can assist families in determining how much money may be needed to provide for lifetime quality care for loved ones with special needs, financial strategies to achieve goals, and ways to protect future eligibility for government benefits.
Addressing legal issues is a crucial step in planning for the future. Creating and planning your estate is vital to meeting your dependent’s lifetime needs. These issues fall into three main categories: wills, special needs trusts, guardianship or alternatives to guardianship. It’s important to work with an attorney who is qualified, experienced, and involved in the area of special needs.
Specialized medical treatment may be needed for individuals with special needs. This can begin in a neo-natal intensive care unit, and other times the need for such treatments arise much later in life. Precautions should be made to make the most out of medical insurance coverages whenever possible. Otherwise, you could be left
holding the bill – or a large part of it.
Knowledge of special education laws and what they provide is the first step in ensuring your dependent with special needs gets the best education possible. It can include Early Intervention, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Program, Transition from School to Adult Life, and Due Process. Actively participating and being an advocate in your dependent’s educational
plan will help with their future successes.
“I thought there was no better way to be the best dad to a child with special needs than to surround myself with other parents whose journey struck a familiar chord”