Resources for Special Needs Families
Understanding the Role of a Financial Advisor for Families with Disabilities
Read Time: 5 min When you are raising or supporting a family member with disabilities, financial planning takes on an entirely different dimension. It is no longer just about retirement timelines or college savings goals. It becomes about lifetime security,...
Spring Pruning for Special Needs Parents
This month we a lucky enough to feature an article by Carinne Mossa the founder of It Takes a Village Special Needs Parent Coaching LLC. Read more about Carinne at the end of this article and be sure to check out their website! Read Time: 5 min As warmer weather...
What to Do with Retirement Accounts When Planning for a Dependent with Disabilities
Read Time: 5 min Planning for retirement is complex on its own. When you are also planning for a dependent with disabilities, the decisions surrounding retirement accounts carry even greater weight. IRAs and 401(k)s are often among a family’s largest assets....
Tax Benefits and Deductions for Families of Children with Disabilities
Read Time: 5 min Understanding How to Maximize Financial Support Through the Tax System Caring for a child with disabilities presents unique challenges, not only emotionally and physically but also financially. Fortunately, the U.S. tax system offers a variety of...
Maximizing Your Social Security: Strategies to Implement and Know Your Options
Read Time: 7 min For many retirees, Social Security is the foundation of their retirement income. While it was never designed to replace a full paycheck, the timing and strategy behind when and how you claim benefits can have a meaningful impact on your long-term...
Finding the Right Therapists: Tips for Special Needs Families
Read Time: 4 min Finding the right therapist for a child with special needs can feel overwhelming. With so many options and specialties, families often wonder where to start and what truly matters in their search. The right therapist doesn’t just support the...
Understanding Virginia’s Medicaid Waivers for Individuals with Disabilities
Read Time: 8 min Navigating the world of disability services can be overwhelming, especially when trying to understand what support is available and how to access it. Medicaid waivers are programs under Virginia’s Medicaid system (via DMAS and DBHDS) that allow...
Where to Start the Disability Benefits Process for Your Child – by Tanusha Thuraisingam, Esq.
Read Time: 10 min While the process of applying for Disability Benefits for child has not changed at this time, the process can be slower due to the current cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA). We also understand that applying for Disability...
Back-to-School Checklist for Special Needs Parents
Read Time: 5 Min Preparing for back-to-school season can be a busy and emotional time for families with children who have disabilities. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help special needs parents stay organized and ensure a smooth transition to the school...
Are you working on improving Independent Life Skills?
Read Time: 5 Min Helping young adults with disabilities build independent living skills is one of the most empowering steps families can take toward preparing for adulthood. From managing daily routines to navigating technology and advocating for their needs,...
Major Federal Updates to ABLE Accounts
Read Time: 5 Min ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience and was created in 2014 by the ABLE Act. An ABLE account is very much like a 529 plan however, however there are some key differences The purpose of the ABLE account is to allow families to set aside...
Using Micro Boards to Manage Special Needs Trusts
A Micro Board is made up of no more than 5 to 7 people who collaborate to manage various aspects of a person’s life, such as health care, employment, education, and financial planning. The group works together to create and maintain a long-term plan, with each member bringing their expertise and perspective to the table.
Creating a Financial Strategy for Your Child with Special Needs
READ TIME: 5 MIN Every family is different, which means that each of us must create financial strategies with our particular circumstances in mind. This is especially true for families caring for children with special needs. Parents often need to consider the...
Gifting, Legacy, and Trust: Using the Holidays to Build a Meaningful Future
READ TIME: 5 MIN The holiday season is a time of warmth, family, and giving. While many people focus on presents that bring immediate joy, there is an opportunity to make gifts that last far beyond the holiday season. Gifting with an eye toward legacy can have lasting...
Enhancing Independence: Assistive Technologies for Adults with Disabilities
READ TIME: 7 MIN Living independently is a goal that many adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities strive to achieve. Thanks to the rapid advancement in assistive technologies, this dream is becoming more attainable. From smart devices, to...
Navigating IEPs and Back-to-School: Essential Tips for Parents of Children with Disabilities
READ TIME: 5 MIN As the new school year approaches, parents of children with disabilities face unique challenges. From ensuring that your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is up-to-date to preparing them for the transition back to school, there are...
Housing for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
READ TIME: 7 MIN There are many things to take into consideration when looking at housing options for our adult loved ones with developmental disabilities beyond how you are going to fund/pay for their housing. Housing for adults with disabilities has two other...
The Intricacies of Virginia’s Medicaid Waiver Programs
READ TIME: 8 MIN The Medicaid Waiver program throughout the United States is incredibly complex. While Medicaid is a Federal Program, it is run by each individual state. This makes it confusing to fully understand all the ins and outs of the various states. ...
SECURE Act 2.0: How Will It Impact You?
READ TIME: 5 MIN Most Americans have an ongoing fear of living beyond the money they’ve saved for their retirement years. And it’s not an irrational fear. There is, in fact, an actual lack of retirement preparedness among Americans, and it’s drawn the attention...
Celebrating Disability Pride!
READ TIME: 5 MIN If you are familiar with me or have browsed my website, which I encourage you to do if you have stumbled across me for the first time, you know that I am passionate about working with the Special Needs/Disabled Community. I am a Chartered...
The Nuts and Bolts of Special Needs Trust Administration
READ TIME: 10 MIN As many of you already know not only am I a Financial Advisor and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant, but I am also a Special Needs Mom. In 2022 we launched our Special Needs Binder and email series. My goal is to continue supporting this...
Turning 18 with Special Needs (Part 2)
READ TIME: 5 MIN Last month I talked about things you need to consider when your child turns 18, Your Child Is Considered An Adult. Now What? (part 1). This month I would like to look at additional considerations you will need to look at if your child has special...
Your Child Is Considered An Adult. Now What? (part 1)
READ TIME: 3 MIN As you may know from my social media and blogs, I have a freshman in college this year and a high school senior. By February I will have two 18 year old children. This is an important milestone to be celebrated, but there are so many changes in...
What is an ABLE Account and Do I Need One?
READ TIME: 4 MIN You may have heard of an ABLE account but what exactly is it? ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience and was created in 2014 by the ABLE Act. An ABLE account is very much like a 529 plan however, there are some key differences we will...
Planning for the Unexpected for Special Needs Families
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES READ TIME: 4 MIN So, when I am asked to describe myself the first word that always comes to mind is I am a mom. I am a soccer mom, a dance mom, a gym mom, a golf mom, a mom who owns her own business and yes, a special needs mom. My brother...
Special Needs Parents: Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Take Care of Your Child, Applies to Finances As Well!
SPECIAL NEEDS READ TIME: 2 MIN When we are boarding an airplane, we have all heard the flight attendant remind us to put on our air masks first, before helping other passengers. This common safety reminder is heard so often it does not always register with us. ...
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