Special needs conditions vary in severity with some people able to work and even live independently while others cannot do these things.
Parents with special needs children know they need to find ways to ensure their kids receive the appropriate level of care and financial support even after the parents have died.
Many factors to evaluate
When looking ahead to the needs a child with a disability may have over the course of their life, a parent must take many things into consideration. Forbes explains these include the level to which their child may function independently, the projected or potential medical complications associated with their condition, coexisting medical conditions that may exacerbate or complicate health care needs, and more. This evaluation should guide the planning process for what type of trust or other tools to utilize.
Family conversations
Fidelity Investments recommends that parents openly discuss their special needs child’s long-term planning with other family members who may be involved in the child’s life. This includes siblings, stepsiblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and others who are most likely to still be alive after the parents have passed away.
Balancing private and public options
Many social assistance programs exist that provide financial benefits to persons with disabilities or special needs. When developing a plan for a special needs child’s life, moms and dads should educate themselves about the various government programs available to maximize these resources as well. A special needs trust, for example, should be created in such a way so as to avoid preventing the special needs child from receiving the funds they may qualify for from public options like Social Security Disability Insurance.
