As the parent of child who has special needs, it is important to consider the options available with regard to financial resources. Because the government provides a variety of financial support services to the families of special needs children, it is important to protect your assets so as to prevent termination of government financial programs.
If you are the parent of a child with special needs, and your child’s Medicaid or Social Security Income, SSI, has been terminated, you may be at a loss as to what to do next. Because these programs are available at the federal, state, and even within your community, you may feel, at times, overwhelmed as you navigate through the issues. Even when initially applying for income and medical benefits for your special needs child, you may find the initial application is denied; this just seems to be the way of our government programs.
When faced with these challenges, it is important to meet with a financial advisor and attorney who specialize in the services and needs of special needs children. Because eligibility for every program varies, consulting with a specialist will ensure you are given every opportunity to achieve optimal outcomes as you apply for, and re-apply for, the varying federal, state and local community services. It will be important, however, that you are well prepared for the meeting as your attorney and financial planner will need to have all documents in order to ensure your child’s case is handled efficiently. One of the key pieces of documentation will be the initial denial letter, or termination letter, from the agency who has denied benefits. For example, if Medicaid has denied the services, then you will need to bring the letter from DHHS with you as the attorney and financial advisor will need to see the calculations used in making this denial of benefit determination.
Upon establishment of your financial case with an attorney, your child’s financial and medical needs will need to be closely updated. The attorney and financial advisor will work together to ensure all of your child’s assets are placed into the right special needs trusts as which time an appeal for Medicaid and SSI benefits will be made. This appeal process often results in a “fair hearing” that your attorney will attend on your behalf. It is during this process that your attorney will make an important request known as the “aid paid pending” or simply a request to continue to pay benefits while the appeal is in process.
Caring for a special needs child can be overwhelming in terms of medical needs. When compounded by complications involving denied or restricted Medicaid and SSI benefits, parents are often frustrated and do not know where to turn. If you are experiencing a complication involving denial of these benefits for your special needs child, consult an attorney and financial planner to begin the appeal, hearing and resumption of payment processes.
