Special Needs Planning Timeline  

What should you educate yourself on?

  1. Create/Update a will
  • If parents do not have a will, the State of CT Laws of Intestacy (dying without a will), determine the distribution of their assets.
  1. Establish a Special Needs Trust (SNT)
  • Any assets left to the individual with Special Needs must be directed to the SNT in order to potentially keep their eligibility for government benefits.
  • Remember the trust does not have to be funded today.
  1. Change beneficiaries

         on existing life insurance and retirement plans to reflect your current plan. These assets do not pass through the Probate System (Will), but rather by beneficiary designation.

  1. Consider Life/Disability Insurance on parents to potentially protect family and explore 2nd to Die insurance to create a funding mechanism for the SNT.
  2. Consider a Letter of Intent, a blueprint of your child’s life that future caregivers can follow.
  3. Saving money in your childs name. Know the rules on dollar amounts as well as whos name the account is in. 
  1. Communicate your plan to other family members.

 

What needs to be done at age 18?

 

  1. Applying for Government Benefits

-     Social Security (SSI) SSA.Gov

-     Medicaid, potential access to services funded by DDS, DMHAS, Brain Injury etc.

-     CFC Community First Choice


2.  Consider applying for Guardianship / Conservatorship