Legal Help for Families that Have Children
with Disabilities
Disability Law Center of Massachusetts
800-872-9992, www.dlc-ma.org
Advocates in Massachusetts Special Needs Advocacy Network
www.spanmass.org, 508-655-7999
Children's Law Center of Massachusetts:
Lynn: 781-581-1977
Lawrence: 978-888-0634
Roxbury: 617-541-0904
A list of some advocates in Massachusetts are at www.spanmass.org
508-655-7999
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Tax Time and Disabilities: By John Mahoney, Massachusetts licensed and certified financial planner.
Most people with disabilities will need to file a return based on earned and unearned income.
Beneficiaries and trustees of special needs trusts may have additional filing requirements. Below are some tax ideas that could save time and money.
Not all income you receive may be considered taxable. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are not considered taxable income. If a beneficiary receives only Social Security Disability Insurance payments (SSDI), and no other income from any other source, then those SSDI benefits are probably not taxable either. Funds paid through a qualified dependent assistance care program are not included as taxable income, up to certain limits.
Special deductions for people with disabilities. This depends on the level of impairment, and requires a sit-down with your estate attorney or accountant.
Certain tax credits can help people with disabilities and their relatives. For example, you may qualify for a child and dependent care tax credit related to the care of a child or other dependent person with disabilities. Tax refunds from an Earned Income Tax Credit will not count against the taxpayer for purposes of determining SSI or Medicaid eligibility.
Tax rules for the trustees of special needs trusts vary. This depends on the type of trust created. As a very general rule, income generated by a trust designed to hold a person with special needs' own funds (first person trust) is typically considered to be taxable income attributable to the trust beneficiary, regardless of whether the income is actually distributed from the trust. Again, this requires a sit down with your accountant or tax attorney.
Before making any decisions, always consult with a certified special needs advisor, estate planner with special needs expertise, or a CPA with trust experience for information and advice on your particular situation.
To contact John Mahoney, call 978-394-3724 or johnmahoneyfa@gmail.com
Special Needs and The Fixed Income Trap: By John Mahoney, a Massachusetts licensed and certified financial planner.
Many of today's families living with special needs may have fixed-income investments that initially pay enough interest to satisfy their monthly obligations. But over time, the rising costs of daily living will surpass the investor's fixed income.
At that point, unexpected medical therapies, assistive technology equipment or an emergency, will force the family to drain the original money or principal investment. The remaining funds will then pay even less income, putting the family into a downward spiral of diminishing income and decreasing principal. And that is a fixed income trap.
Families facing a future of medical and caring costs need to plan ahead to develop an income strategy to grow their investment income year after year.
John Mahoney has 20 years experience as a licensed, certified financial advisor consulting to families of children, teens and young adults with special needs, and currently practices in the State of Massachusetts.
All information in this column is solely the opinion of the writer. SPED Child and Teen www.spedchildmass.com is in no way responsible or liable for decisions individuals make or have made based on the opinions stated above. Always consult with a financial professional before making any decisions. |
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Massachusetts Disability Law Conferences and Workshops
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 Procedure Lite & Updates in Special Education Law - Free: November 30, 2011, Danvers, MA, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Repre-
sentatives of Kotin, Crabtree and Strong will discuss the Procedures Lite contract between schools and parents that waives special education procedural rights. Parents waive the right to convene an IEP meeting, develop an IEP, receive progress notes, and request annual evaluations. Parents also waive the right to enforce these rights and seek compensatory services and damages. Learn more about Procedure Lite before the school district proposes this for your child. Seating will be limited. RSVP to 978-624-2324 or lpuccia@ne-arc.org. Partially funded and hosted by the Northeast Arc Educational Advocacy and the United Way.
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference: October 27, 2011 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Leominster MA. The Wrightslaw Conference is for parents, educators, health care providers, advocates and attorneys who represent children with disabilities in special education. Topics include Extended School Year, Private Placements, Mediation, Appeals, Evaluations and IEPS, Litigation, Advocacy, Developing a Plan an much more. Attendees will receive copies of Wrightslaw: All About IEPs, Wrightslaw:Special Education Law, 2nd Edition, and Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition. Fees and registration apply. Register at www.autismresourcecentral.org Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts 508-298-1605
Financial Support - Autism Only: Some organizations offer grants to help families of children on the autism spectrum who are in financial crisis. Grants can go through a vendor for biomedical treatments, supplements or therapies for the child with autism.
The Autism Alliance of MetroWest, through a grant from The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, offers Funding specifically for lower to moderate income families and families in crisis. Families must live in Metrowest and meet the guidelines for financial, distressing, catastrophic events, or single parents, multi child diagnosis homes, parents health issues, etc. For more information, contact 508-652-9900, or http://www.autismalliance.org
South Norfolk County Arc Family Autism Center has been given a grant from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism to distribute to families for social skills and respite care for individuals ages 3-22 diagnosed on the autism spectrum who are not eligible for DMR Family Support Funding. Deadline is March 31st, 2009. Contact www.sncarc.org/images/grantannouncement09.pdf
National Autism Association:
www.nationalautismassociation.
org/helpinghand.php
Act-Today for Autism:
www.act-today.org/grants2.html
Autism Family Resources:
www.autismfamilyresources.org/
needassistance2.htmUnited HealthCare Children’s Foundation:
www.uhccf.org
Grants from The Danny Foundation: The Danny Foundation at times has limited funding up to $500 for organizations, individuals, families and professionals who care for, educate, diagnosis or treat individuals with autism. To request more information, send a note with either your e-mail address or a stamped self addressed envelope to: Janet Abrahamson, Chairperson 119 Glendale Road, Sharon, MA 02067-1431.
special edu
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New Health Care Legislation - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Visit the health reform section of the White House's Web site
Health Care for All: 617-350-7279
(MassHealth Customer Service Center 1-800-841-2900)
MassHealth website: www.mass.gov
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership: 1-800-495-0086 or www.masspartnership.com
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The Massachusetts Family-to-Family Health Information Center, is a FREE parent-run project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, that advises families on how to receive benefits and to qualify and apply for MassHealth. In addition, they assist families with children and youth with special healthcare needs in accessing public and private health insurance benefits, community resources, offer a listserv, an annual family conference, conference calls, and host workshops about healthcare financing. Visit www.massfamilyvoices.org, or contact project director Beth Dworetzky at 1-800-331-0688, ext. 210 or massfv@fcsn.org.
The Catastrophic Illness in Children's Relief Fund
at www.mass.gov/cicrf
617-994-9818, TTY:617-624-5992, or Kathy.Patisteas@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. www.mass.gov/mddc/cefp/index.htmp provides funds of up to $500.00 per year for legal residents of Massachusetts with developmental disabilities and/or a family member/guardian to attend conferences or other events. Applications must be received and approved before the event. Contact Harold Lieberman 617-770-7676, ext. 115 or Harold.Lieberman@state.ma.us
SSI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal Income Benefits Program of the Social Security Administration, which can be available to families with disabled or blind children. To see if your child is eligible, call 1-800-882-1435, or visit www.mass.gov/dph/fch/dshn.
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NSTAR Financial Assistance:
- Fuel Assistance Program
- Arrearage Management Program
- Good Neighbor Energy Fund
- 65 Plus & Double Notice Protection
- Payment Plans
For more information contact NSTAR or call 1-800-592-2000
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