Ten Things to Know About Life Plans

If money is being left to an individual with a disability(ies), it is important that a Life Plan be developed.  Life does change and the Plan should be updated as needed or every five years or so and usually only requires a modification to the original Plan.  What are the important issues that should be addressed in a good Life Plan?

            It is important that the individuals and agencies who are working with the individual with a disability(ies) understand who they are working with and what are the realistic goals that may be accomplished.

1. The Players.  Who is important in the life of the person with a disability(ies)?  This will vary considerably with the individual, and the family and friends of the individual.  These would include:
   1. Person with a Disability(ies)
   1. Parents
   1. Guardian
   1. Trustee
   1. Important Contacts
   1. Involved Family Members
   1. Pets
   1. Friends
2. Personal Characteristics and Medical Information.
   1. Personal Characteristics.  Everybody is different.  Personal characteristics are important.
      1. General.  The goal is to try to keep the person with a disability(ies) safe and happy.
      1. Personality.  To make the person happy, we need to know something about their personality.
      1. Preferences.  We all have different preferences, often based on our abilities.
      1. Dislikes.  Try to avoid things that the individual dislikes.
      1. Interests.  Try to determine the interests of the individual with a disability(ies).
      1. Clothing and Sizes.  What kind of clothing does the individual prefer?  What sizes does the individual wear?
      1. Favorite Places.  Where does the individual like to spend time (i.e., restaurants, the zoo)?
   1. Medical Information.
      1. Physicians, Therapists and Specialists.  To keep the individual safe, it is important to know the physicians, therapists and specialists that could assist with the individual’s care.
      1. Prognosis.  It is important to know what the prognosis of the individual is so that proper treatment can be sought.
      1. Medical Coverage.  Does the individual have private medical insurance?  If not, is he or she covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
      1. Hospital.  If the individual is a regular visitor at a hospital, what is the name of that hospital?
      1. Pharmacy.  Does the individual or family have a preference for a pharmacy?
      1. Medications.  It is important to attach the list of medications to the plan.
      1. Allergies.  Does the individual have any medical or environmental allergies?
3. Public Benefits.  Does the individual with a disability(ies) receive public benefits?  Public benefits would include:
   1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
   1. Medicaid
   1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
   1. Medicare
   1. Section 8 Housing
   1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly Food Stamps)
   1. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
   1. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
   1. Disabled Adult Children Program (DAC)
   1. Group Home
   1. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
   1. New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
   1. Psychiatric
   1. Special Education
4. Abilities and Disabilities.  It is important to know the following about the person with a disability(ies):
   1. Limitations
   1. Extraordinary Powers
   1. Medical or Adaptive Equipment/Supplies
   1. Interaction with Others
   1. Stress
   1. Change
5. Housing.  Where does the individual with a disability(ies) live?  If he or she is living in the family home with parents, where will the individual live on the death of the parents or if the parents become so old and frail that they are no longer able to provide a home for the individual with a disability(ies)?
6. Employment.  Has the individual ever worked?  If so, what was the nature of the employment?  Does the individual work now or is he or she capable of work?
7. Transportation.  How does the individual get around?  Is he or she capable of driving?  Does he or she have, or able to obtain, an account with Uber or Lyft?  Are there family members who are willing and able to transport the individual?
8. Religion.  Does the individual participate in any organized religion?
9. Trust.  Is there a Special Need Trust in place to provide for the individual’s expenses to be paid?  If so, what is the amount of the trust funding?  Who is the Trustee?  Is there a Trust Protector?
10. Guardianship.  Is the individual currently subject to a guardianship?  If not, should he or she have a guardian appointed?  If so, who could serve as guardian and who could serve as successor guardian?