Special Needs News

Alternatives to placing people with mental illness in institutions has been evolving over the years. There has been an increase in advocacy for solutions such as community-based treatment, peer support, and supportive housing. However, an ongoing shortage of psychiatric beds in hospitals and other spaces for those with serious mental illness remains.

November is the month that Americans make sure our veterans know and feel the appreciation we have for their service. Taking care of veterans is important, but, sadly, the traditional resources available to servicemembers often fall short and can leave veterans to fend for themselves.

Qualifying people with disabilities can accumulate savings in a tax-free ABLE account without risking their means-tested public benefits. In 2024, the annual limit on how much money one can deposit into these accounts will rise to $18,000 per year.

Caregivers can suffer from a variety of physical and emotional burdens whether they are a part-time or full-time caregiver. They may deal with losing sleep, lack of an appetite, depression, exhaustion, increased anxiety, and compassion fatigue as they take care of their loved one’s needs. Of course, you love your family, but there comes a time when everyone needs a break.

My father is in a nursing home and receives Medicaid. My mother just passed away a month ago, and the nursing home informed me they will be requesting his disability income. I have a sister who also receives disability off of my dad, due to her having cerebral palsy since birth. Since she is a disabled adult child, can the nursing home still take his disability?

Can my disabled son keep his current medical plan that he has with Medicaid when he qualifies for Medicare early next year? My son is a Disabled Adult Child and is collecting SSI on the work record of my husband, who retired last year. He has an expensive monthly treatment that requires a special authorization with a nurse administering treatments monthly. I hate to have to switch medical plans for him and have to do all the authorizations again with a new company and possibly lose his current nurse.

Among adults aged 18 and older in the United States, estimates suggest that about 125,000 have Down syndrome. It remains the main genetic cause of intellectual disability that qualifies individuals automatically for Supplemental Security Income and, in turn, Medicaid. Yet very limited research exists on how adults with DS use Medicaid compared with other groups.

The announcement about the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2024 is now out, and it’s good news for disability benefits recipients.

I have named short-term and long-term guardians for a minor special needs child. My understanding is that will avoid guardianship proceedings in court. Can I do the same once the child is over 18, or do I have to go to court, where judge decides the guardian?

Some students need a tailored educational plan to make the most of their time in school. A 504 plan may be the best way for parents and guardians to support their child’s academic career and maximize their success.