Government Benefits Planning
Navigating government programs for special needs families can be confusing and challenging. Our special needs planners guide families through government benefits programs such as:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits
Medicaid waivers
Medicare special needs plans
HUD Housing Assistance
Food Assistance (SNAP Food Benefits)
Most individuals experiencing disabilities can benefit from utilizing government programs, but families are unaware of the benefits available, the eligibility rules and the process when applying.
Government Benefits for Special Needs Individuals
Our experienced team knows the in’s and out’s of navigating the complexities of government programs below and will map out a plan to get you where you and your loved one with a disability want to go.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes):
It is designed to help disabled individuals who have limited income and assets by providing cash payments to meet basic living requirements like food, clothing, and shelter.
We walk you through the process of applying, answering eligibility and application questions along the way.
If the application is accepted and benefit awarded, we will assist with the forward thinking planning to ensure benefits are maintained and never in jeopardy.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to your loved one experiencing disability if they are "insured," meaning they have a sufficient work history and paid Social Security taxes or allows a disabled adult child to draw a SSDI benefit from a parents work record.
Although very similar to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in many ways, Social Security Disability Insurance is NOT a means tested benefit.
We help you navigate the process of applying, including understanding eligibility requirements, application specific questions, and protection of this benefit if your loved one qualifies.
Medicaid waivers [in Oregon, Washington & Beyond]
Medicaid is the most important needs-based benefit. Period. An eligible individuals life will be improved 10 out of 10 times with Medicaid eligibility.
Medicaid is administered by each individual state and provides health coverage to Americans including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
We help you understand and utilize all the Medicaid funded services/programs available to you and your family.
We guide you through actionable steps including accessing the Developmental Disability (DD) Services program in your area, which acts as the “gate keeper” to many Medicaid funded services.
One of the big benefits of Medicaid? Personal support work hours that provides Medicaid funding to approved support workers to help support the individual experiencing disability learn the important activities of daily living.
Medicare special needs plans
A Medicare special needs plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage coordinated care plan specifically designed to provide targeted care and limit enrollment to special needs individuals. These plans require eligible individuals to receive care and services from doctors or hospitals in their Medicare SNP networks. We discuss with families the benefits, challenges and eligibility requirements.
HUD housing assistance
HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) housing provides shelter for America’s most vulnerable populations: the working poor, minorities, Native Americans, the elderly, the homeless, and people with disabilities.
HUD provides funding to develop and subsidize rental housing with the availability of supportive services for very low- and extremely low-income adults with disabilities.
We’ll help you understand who qualifies, provide HUD housing application assistance, and help locate HUD housing voucher locations.
Food Assistance (SNAP Food Benefits)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of individuals experiencing disability so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
If eligible, we help you apply, understand the benefits of the program and limitations of what qualifies as an eligible expense, and the mechanics of using this benefit like the Oregon Trail Card.
Who is eligible for government benefits?
Whether you and your family are new to diagnosis or you’re an experienced parent with years of knowledge and experience, it is critical to understand the importance of government benefits in a long term support plan.
Individuals with disabilities, whether physical, intellectual or developmental, may quality for certain government programs. Individuals must meet two different criteria to qualify:
Meet Social Security’s definition of disability as defined in Section 404.1505 of the Social Security Code of Federal Regulations
Be low in income and assets.
Each government benefit has unique eligibility requirements and your situation will need to be assessed on an individual basis. Since 2012, we’ve been helping special needs families navigate these programs for their loved ones-- we can help!
Ready for your complimentary special needs planning consultation?