The Voice^®

Regulations Governing ABLE Accounts
April 2022 - Vol. 16, Issue 3

SNA Public Policy: Advocating for Adult Children
March 2022 - Vol. 16, Issue 2

Naming a Special Needs Trust as Beneficiary of Your IRA or Retirement Plan
February 2022 - Vol. 16, Issue 1

Retaining SSI and Medicaid While Working
December 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 10

2021: Transferring Guardianship Across State Lines
November 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 9

The SECURE Act – How It Affects Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts
August 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 8

Individuals with Disabilities and the Animals Providing Them Services
June 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 7

Federal Employee Survivor Benefits for Children with Special Needs
May 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 6

Are You Really Ready? Realistic Planning for Parents and Other Caregivers
April 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 5

Filing a Tax Return for a Special Needs Trust:What a Trustee Needs to Know at Tax Time
March 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 4

SNA 2020 Public Policy Initiatives
March 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 3

Succession Planning for Guardians
February 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 2

Ten Reasons to Use a Stand-Alone Supplemental Needs Trust
January 2021 - Vol. 15, Issue 1

NURSING HOME VISITS BALANCING HELP AND HARM
December 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 14

DEAR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA…
November 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 13

What is a special needs trust anyway?
October 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 12

Special Needs Beneficiaries Can Be Explicitly Included in Estate Planning
September 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 11

The Pitfalls of Paying Family Members to Provide Care
August 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 10

What, Where, Why, and When must a Special Needs Trust Be Reported to Government Agencies?
August 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 9

Customizable Visa Card Offers Flexibility to Beneficiaries
July 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 8

Customizable Visa Card Aids Financial Independence
July 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 7

Special Needs Planning Benefits All Siblings
June 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 6

Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, and Individuals with Disabilities
May 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 5

Who Will Protect Your Child from You?
March 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 4

In-Kind Support and Maintenance – A Trap for the Unwary
March 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 3

Special Needs Estate Planning for Families with Special Needs: Top 10 Action Steps by Kristen M. Lewis
February 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 2

Mediation Promotes Relationships, Dignity and Choice
February 2020 - Vol. 14, Issue 1

Finding a Balance of Autonomy, Support, and Assistance: Using Supported Decision-Making Agreements and Powers of Attorney
December 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 7

How long do you have to work for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if you are 30 and younger?
December 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 6

Should a Special Needs Trust Pay for Medical Marijuana?
September 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 5

Preserving SSI When Divorcing Parents Have a Child with Disabilities
July 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 4

Financial Abuse of Individuals with Disabilities
April 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 3

Tax Law Changes for Those with Disabilities
March 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 2

Selecting a Trustee – Some Things to Consider
January 2019 - Vol. 13, Issue 1

Sometimes Less is More – Alternatives to Plenary Guardianship
October 2018 - Vol. 12, Issue 4

Recommended Books for the Special Needs Community, Second Installment
October 2018 - Vol. 12, Issue 3

SNT Beneficiaries on the Move: Third in a Series
May 2018 - Vol. 12, Issue 2

SNT Beneficiaries on the Move: Second in a Series
March 2018 - Vol. 12, Issue 1

SNT Beneficiaries on the Move: First in a Series
November 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 7

Two Different Types of Special Needs Trusts
September 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 6

Trust Protectors for Special Needs Trusts
August 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 5

The Social Security Administration’s Special Needs Trusts Review Process
June 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 4

Filing a Tax Return for a Special Needs Trust: What a Trustee Needs to Know at Tax Time
April 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 3

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) – How to Open an ABLE Account
March 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 2

The “Special Needs Trust Fairness Act” is Finally Law: Individuals with Disabilities Can Now Establish Their Own Trusts
February 2017 - Vol. 11, Issue 1

Transferring Guardianship Across State Lines
October 2016 - Vol. 10, Issue 5

SSI Rules for Students
July 2016 - Vol. 10, Issue 4

Political Advocacy by Parents of Children with Disabilities
June 2016 - Vol. 10, Issue 3

Disabled Military Child Protection Act Policy Issued
May 2016 - Vol. 10, Issue 2

Income Taxes and Special Needs
March 2016 - Vol. 10, Issue 1

Representative Payee for Social Security Benefits
October 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 10

Distributions from Special Needs Trusts: In Kind Distributions, Credit Cards, Gift Cards, or Debit Cards
October 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 9

Telephone Scams Preying on Vulnerable Adults
August 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 8

Disabled Military Child Protection Act
August 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 7

Medicare Observation Status: Denying Medicare Coverage for Skilled Nursing Home Care
May 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 6

A Wake up Call for Professional Trustees and Parents
April 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 5

The ABLE Act – A New Tool for Special Needs Planning
April 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 4

Bullying of the Special Needs Child and What Parents Can Do
March 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 3

Recommended Books for the Special Needs Community
January 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 2

Summary of Disability Benefits
January 2015 - Vol. 9, Issue 1

Child Support for an Adult Child with Disabilities
December 2014 - Vol. 8, Issue 6

Naming a Special Needs Trust as Beneficiary of your IRA or Retirement Plan
August 2014 - Vol. 8, Issue 5

Considerations when Initiating or Settling a Personal Injury Action
July 2014 - Vol. 8, Issue 4

Tax Tips for Parents of a Child with Special Needs
April 2014 - Vol. 8, Issue 3

Filing a Tax Return for a Special Needs Trust: What a Trustee Needs to Know at Tax Time
March 2014 - Vol. 8, Issue 2

Special Needs Trusts And Home Ownership: A Trustee’s Concerns
January 2014 - Vol. 8, Issue 1

The Affordable Care Act and Its Impact on Individuals with Special Needs
December 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 9

When Medicaid or SSI Benefits are Denied or Terminated – Now What?
November 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 8

When A Family Member Serves As Trustee (Part II): The Devil Is In The Details
September 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 7

Letter of Intent
July 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 6

Does My Child Need a Guardianship?
June 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 5

Developing an Estate Plan for Parents of Children with Disabilities: A 15-Step Approach
May 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 4

Using Private Trustees to Administer Special Needs Trusts
March 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 3

Updating Your Special Needs Trust – Begin with a Self Review
January 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 2

Your Special Needs Trust (“SNT”) Defined
January 2013 - Vol. 7, Issue 1

SSI Overpayments: How Does It Happen and What Can One Do?
November 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 14

When a Family Member Serves as Trustee – “Fair and Honest Is Not Enough”
October 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 13

Special Needs Trusts and the Purchase of a Vehicle
September 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 12

SNAP! Food Assistance for Persons with Disabilities
August 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 11

Funding a Special Needs Trust with Life Insurance
July 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 10

Charitable Intentions – Uncharitable Results
July 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 9

Citizenship Status and Disability Benefits
June 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 8

Buying a House – More Questions
May 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 7

What Are You Waiting For?
April 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 6

Private Disability Insurance
March 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 5

Benefits for Special Needs Children of Civil Service Employees
March 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 4

Is a Qualified Disability Trust Appropriate?
February 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 3

A Short Primer on Trusts and Trust Taxation
January 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 2

Using Pooled Trusts In Estate Planning
January 2012 - Vol. 6, Issue 1

Dear Grandma and Grandpa…
December 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 21

Is There a Place for a Family Member with Special Needs in The Family Business?
November 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 20

Work History Requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance
November 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 19

How Work Can Affect Title II Disability Benefits Part II: Ticket to Work and Extension of Medicare and Medicaid Benefits
October 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 18

Title II Disability Work Rules Part I: Will I Lose My Disability Benefits if I Try to Work?
October 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 17

Special Needs Information on the Internet: Proceed with Caution
September 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 16

Utilizing the Spend Down Option to Maintain SSI and/or Medicaid Eligibility
August 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 14

Better Advocacy Through Acronyms
July 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 13

The Mission Project
June 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 11

Planning for Adult Children with Disabilities
June 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 10

Buying a House for a Special Needs Beneficiary: Proceed with Care!
May 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 9

Avoid This Common Banking Error
May 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 8

Decisions Arising with the Death of a Child
April 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 7

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP) Under 2010’s Health Care Reform Law
April 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 6

The Pitfalls of Caregiver Employment: Paying, Withholding, and Reporting Requirements
March 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 5

The Impact of Special Needs Trusts on Eligibility for Subsidized Housing
March 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 4

The Other Special Need: Planning for Those with Severe Mental Illness
February 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 3

Comparing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
January 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 2

Special Benefits for Military Families — Elect With Care
January 2011 - Vol. 5, Issue 1

The Past, Present and Future of Community Living for Persons with Disabilities – A Christmas Carol
December 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 20

What Health Reform Means for Persons with Disabilities
December 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 19

Veteran’s Benefits
November 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 18

Dear Grandma and Grandpa…
November 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 17

Life Insurance on a Child with Special Needs: Benefits and Challenges
October 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 16

Planning Options With Retirement Benefits
September 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 15

Retirement Accounts and Government Benefits
September 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 14

Crummey Doesn’t Mean Lousy
August 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 13

Your Special Needs Trust Explained
August 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 12

Being Prepared For a Disaster
July 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 10

What happens when persons living with disabilities marry?
June 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 9

Housecleaning? Please Don’t Pitch These Records!
June 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 8

Signing the Social Security Application
May 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 7

Life Insurance and Children With a Disability
April 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 6

18, 19, 21 Candles on that Cake
March 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 4

Pooled Trusts for Individuals with Special Needs
March 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 5

Taxes and Special Needs Trusts
February 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 3

Estate Planning for People with Disabilities
January 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 2

Medicare Premium Rules Will Affect Some Large Trusts
January 2010 - Vol. 4, Issue 1

Advocacy for Parents of Children with Disabilities
December 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 11

The Secret of When Less Is More
December 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 10

Top Ten Tips When Planning For Special Needs
November 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 9

What Property May a Person Receiving SSI Own?
November 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 8

“I’m Glad She Did That”
August 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 7

Letter of Intent
June 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 6

The Military’s Survivor Benefit Plan and the Disabled Child
June 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 5

Special Needs Trusts and “Qualified Disability Trusts”
April 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 4

Generational Planning: When the Caregiver Needs Help
March 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 2

Planning for Multiple Generations
January 2009 - Vol. 3, Issue 1

Peering Into the Crystal Ball: Planning for Potential Disability
December 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 20

Choosing an Attorney to Help With Special Needs Planning
December 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 19

Is My Money Safe?
November 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 18

Alliance Praises Passage of ADA Amendments Act
September 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 17

Realistically Assessing an Exceptional Child’s Future
September 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 16

Planning Your Estate: When a “Simple Will” Won’t Suffice
August 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 15

Insurance and Other Concerns for Parent/Caregiver
August 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 14

Remembering Harriet McBryde Johnson
June 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 13

What to Pay Before Funding a Special Needs Trust
June 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 12

Economic Stimulus Payments and TV Converter Box Coupons
June 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 11

Our Readers’ (That Is, Your) Questions
May 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 10

An Introduction to "In-kind Support and Maintenance"
April 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 9

Income Tax Benefits for Families With Special Needs Children
April 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 8

Moving a Special Needs Trust to a New State
March 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 7

What Can a Special Needs Trust Pay For?
March 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 6

Structuring a Personal Injury Settlement
February 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 5

Beware of UTMA Accounts
February 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 4

Fixing a Flawed Special Needs Estate Plan
January 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 3

Questions About Setting Up a Special Needs Trust
January 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 1

Third Party Special Needs Trusts
January 2008 - Vol. 2, Issue 2

Managing Care: A Looming Perfect Storm
December 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 9

International Attention Focused on Disabilities
December 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 8

A Reader’s Question About Pooled Trusts
December 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 7

Subsidized Housing and Special Needs Trusts
November 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 6

Veterans and Special Needs Trusts
November 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 4

Non-Profit Organizations as Trustees of Special Needs Trusts
November 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 3

Estate Planning for Families With Special Needs Children
October 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 1

Alternatives to Litigation Special Needs Trusts
October 2007 - Vol. 1, Issue 2