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Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts
February 26, 2020 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm EST
About This Webinar
This presentation provides an overview of the different types of special needs trusts (self-settled, third-party, and pooled trusts) and explains the circumstances under which each type of trust could be beneficial. Topics of discussion include the items and services that can be paid for by special needs trusts, the relationship between shelter payments and certain government benefits, and general considerations for selecting an appropriate trustee.
The presenter explores the use of ABLE Accounts and describes the strengths and limitations of this special needs planning tool. The presentation compares the effectiveness of ABLE accounts versus special needs trusts in maintaining eligibility for needs-based government benefits, avoiding Medicaid paybacks, providing alternatives to guardianships, and offering long-term financial strategies for families wishing to provide for loved ones with special needs.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a better understanding of the different types of special needs trusts and when a Medicaid payback is required.
- Learn how ABLE accounts can be used in combination with or in place of special needs trusts.
- Discover strategies to receive the maximum SSI award—even when the SSI recipient lives at home and receives “in-kind support and maintenance.”
- Understand the critical need for long-term estate planning for individuals with special needs.
Presenter
Alison Packard
Packard Law Firm
San Antonio, Texas
Alison Packard is a special needs planning attorney with the Packard Law Firm in San Antonio, Texas. Her practice focuses on estate planning (including special needs trusts), guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, general probate work and government benefits eligibility. Alison’s passion for her practice comes from her personal life as the mother to a beautiful 28-year-old daughter with significant special needs. Alison knows what it means to fight for a child with disabilities. She understands the worry that parents have as they plan for children who will always need resources, supports and services. Alison finds great joy in helping others on this journey.
Continuing Education (CE) Credit
- Social Work, LPC, LMFT: Programming approval for 1.0 CE credits will be obtained for Social Work, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists from the University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Check with your state licensing agency for reciprocity and/or credit approval if licensed for other professions or in one of the following states: CO, FL, HI, IA, KS, KY, MI, NY, ND, OH, OK. This training will help social workers be better prepared to work with parents/guardians/caregivers of individuals with disabilities by providing them with the knowledge, information and resources on special needs trusts. Working in this area is complicated due to the infinite number of variables related to specific disabilities and government programs and services. (*Expires: 8/24/24)
- Case Manager: This program has been submitted to the Commission for Case Manager Certification for approval to provide board certified case managers with 1.0 clock hours. (*Expires: 8/24/23)
- Board Certified Patient Advocates: This program has been pre-approved by The Patient Advocate Certification Board to provide continuing education credit to Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPA). The course has been approved for a total of 1.0 CE contact hour, of which 0.0 are in the area of Ethics. (*Expires: 8/24/24)
- Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE): This program has been approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) for 1.0 CE credit for CFLE. (*Expires: 8/24/24)
- Certificates of Attendance are available for providers interested in documenting their training activities.
Event Materials
The Importance of Estate Planning for Military Families
Special Needs Trusts vs. ABLE Accounts (PDF)
Social Security and Disability 101
Medicare Changes in 2022: What Providers Need to Know
The Changing World of Medicaid
Photo Credit: iStock/Yana Tikhonova
