THE IMPORTANCE OF A LIFE PLAN FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
by: Begley Law Group
Being the parent of a child with disabilities is certainly not easy. Things that parents should think about early on are:
- Who will care for my child when I am unable to do so?
- Where will my child live?
- What will be required to support my child to the standard of living I would like for him/her?
- Where will that money come from?
- Who are the important people in my child’s life?
- What are the important organizations in my child’s life?
- What are my child’s abilities and disabilities?
- What are my child’s likes and dislikes?
Public benefits are often helpful, if not essential, for a child with disabilities. They provide the services needed at no cost to the child with disabilities. These services include the following:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Medicare
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps)
- Federally Assisted Housing
- Low Income Heating & Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Disabled Adult Children (DAC)
- Many other benefits
What are the rules and regulations for each program?