The Financial and Legal planning for Special Needs are an important piece, but only one piece to the Special Needs “puzzle.” The families we serve have loved ones with a wide array of disabilities, and as such, there are differing benefits and supports available from the town, state and Federal governments which may be available. These various supports and benefits often are the cornerstone of the plan for care, as they provide many essential tools needed to create and maintain a fulfilling life for the special needs children and adults of these families.  

Financial planners working with such families need to understand these benefits and supports, guide their clients as they navigate through the very difficult terrain of benefit qualification, and help the family utilize the available resources to best support their special needs family members.

This seminar will encompass a broad understanding of the following areas:

• Education – what to expect {and not expect} from your town.
• Housing & Transportation
• Vocational & Day Programs
• Social & Recreational Benefits
• Agency supports and benefits from Social Security, Medicaid {Mass Health}, Medicare, EOHHS, etc.
• Caregiving

The biggest problem facing special needs families, you will learn, is the disparate and convoluted nature of the Federal, State and Local Programs which may offer benefits or supports to a special needs family member, and the “successful” family – the one who is able to secure “maximum” benefits – typically needs to be a strong personal advocate for their special needs member. 

This panel discussion will be moderated by Perry M. Smith, JD, LL.M., CLU, ChFC, CFP®