At Shah & Associates, P.C., we are dedicated to helping families with special needs children or adults. We understand what you are going through and can design a comprehensive plan to cope with the financial, social and medical issues involved. In addition to helping you find the assistance you need now, we can show you how to ensure your special needs loved one will receive the care he or she needs when you are no longer able to provide that care yourself. The special needs plan we design and implement for you can:

• Alleviate your concerns about protecting your loved one’s eligibility for government benefits and SSI
• Maximize the amount of public and private assistance available to you
• Help you address the needs of other members of your family

To accomplish these goals, we take the time to gain an understanding of your primary concerns and goals for your special needs loved one. Then, we analyze your financial situation to determine what benefits are available to you and how we can maximize these benefits today and provide the best possible care for your special needs loved one in the years to come. Ultimately, we strive to provide you with the peace of mind that comes with having a properly designed and implemented plan in place for your special needs child or adult.

Special Needs Trusts

There are a number of special needs trusts available, but in general they seek to maintain eligibility for means tested government assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, while at the same time creating a fund to supplement services not provided by these programs. This can include benefits like additional education, travel expenses, repairs and upkeep on a residence, a wheelchair-accessible van, private dental and medical care not covered by Medicaid—in short, things that can improve your special needs loved one’s quality of life.

For a properly drafted and implemented special needs trust, along with a comprehensive special needs plan, you need an attorney with extensive experience in this complex and ever-changing area of the law. At Shah & Associates, P.C., we have helped many families with special needs planning. We welcome the opportunity to do the same for you.