Several factors should be considered when establishing a third-party special needs trust (TPSNT) for a child with disabilities. When should the TPSNT be funded? How should the TPSNT be funded?
Wills and trusts are foundational estate planning tools. While each is used to distribute assets to beneficiaries, they do so in different ways. Each also has its own distinct uses and advantages.
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with disabilities.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program account owners will see a lower annual account maintenance fee on their April statements. The fee reduction is the result of the National ABLE Alliance surpassing 35,000 funded ABLE accounts.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed in March in the U.S. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
Nationally, the average rent for a basic studio or one-bedroom apartment exceeds the average SSI payment of $983 per month. Even in the cheapest rental market in the country — Dallas County, Mo. — rent for either a one-bedroom or efficiency would require 64% of a person's monthly SSI payment.
The Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion increased to $18,000 effective at the start of this month. The annual deposit limit for ABLE accounts is tied to that measure, so it will rise as well.
People with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income can expect to receive two payments this month, but one will be higher than the other.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.
National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Parents of adult children with disabilities know that their child's disability needs may change over the course of their lifetime. Planning for the future well-being of an adult child with disabilities is, therefore, a responsive, ongoing process.
The number of children with developmental disabilities is on the rise with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that nearly 1 in 11 kids are diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability or developmental delay.
Allegheny County has created a Whole-Home Repairs Program which began taking applications on May 30th, 2023. The program, administered by ACTION-Housing, has $12 million dollars available for grants for eligible Allegheny County homeowners.
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with disabilities.
Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and our partners work together to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
The Achieva Family Trust Benefits Counseling Program has received calls concerning the 2023 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments. Here is what individuals can expect with each benefit.
2023 is an exciting year for Achieva Family Trust. It marks our 25th year serving as corporate trustee for special needs trusts for people with disabilities!
A PA ABLE (Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience Act) Account is a useful tool that allows individuals with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing receipt of their government benefits.
In December 2022, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security account. This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later.
National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing a new rule designed to simplify the application and verification processes for people seeking coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program known as CHIP.
At Achieva Family Trust, we continue to promote the availability and benefits of ABLE accounts as another option for people with disabilities to save for the future. We have many trust beneficiaries who utilize ABLE accounts in conjunction with their Special Needs Trust.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries could see their monthly payments rise again next year by the largest amount in decades, experts say.
Two years ago, in June of 2020, we introduced you to Ava Allenberg, Amazing Ava as she is called by many. Ava loves to dance! Since Ava started dancing in the fall of 2019, she has inspired a handful of others to start dancing and to express themselves in ways that make them shine.
Our caring staff of Trust Administrators and Regional Trust Liaisons all have significant experience in the social service field, including supporting people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Mental Health diagnoses.