Change in ABLE Eligibility Ages
This month, Congress enacted a new law, expanding who is eligible to open an ABLE account. ABLE accounts are a kind of tax deferred …
New Help Line for Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Caregivers Can Call 833-NJ-ADULT (833-652-3858) Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced a new help line available to …
An Autistic Adult 50 Years of Age and Living in a Group Home is About to Inherit a Lot of Money: How Can the Family Protect It?
A colleague of mine was involved in a situation involving an autistic adult about 50 years old residing in a group home with a …
An Expert Medical Opinion is Required to Order an Involuntary Commitment
Recently, a NJ court entered a temporary order for the involuntary commitment of a young mother for inpatient treatment. A legal hearing to review …
All Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities Over the Age of 16 Will Be Eligible to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccination Soon
Gov. Murphy announced that individuals with an intellectual or developmental disabilities over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination …
Fighting for Discharge After Voluntary Commitment
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, this is a particularly difficult time. People are going into crisis …
Special Needs Trust, IRAs, and Child Support; How They Can All Work Together
IRA and a Special Needs Trust An individual retirement account or Inherited IRA can be owned by a person with a disability and also …
Learn the Basics of NJ’s ABLE Act as an Alternative to a Special Needs Trust
Introduction The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act enables independence and self-reliance for persons with disabilities. The Act allows the creation of an …
Savings for Individuals with Disabilities
One of the most frequent questions I get from a family with a family member with a disability is, can they have savings, and …
Social Security Appeals During COVID-19
In order for someone with a disability to receive services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities, they have to be eligible for Medicaid. The …
Accessing Special Needs Trust Funds for Respite Care
Special Needs Trusts are a kind of trust designed to preserve assets for a person with a disability, while making it possible for them …
If You Get SSI or Social Security, You Still Get a Stimulus Check
The Social Security Administration recently provided guidance on Economic Impact payment. If your family member receives SSI, and receives a stimulus payment, the Social …
Support Person Permitted to Accompany a Person with a Disability Who Needs be Hospitalized
On April 25, 2020, the Commissioner of the Department of Health issued a very important memorandum to New Jersey Hospitals. It is important because …
Protecting Your Family Members During COVID-19
People with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Group homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and state psychiatric facilities will not allow visitors. …
Supplemental Security Income and Stimulus Payments
The Social Security Administration has announced that all individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) will receive an Economic Impact Payment from the Treasury …
Emergency Psychiatric Services Available for New Jersey Residents During Emergency COVID-19 Lockdown
This week, New Jersey extended an important part of the way we provide services for people with disabilities. During the COVID-19 emergency, New Jersey …
NJ Launches New Program for Parents with Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder
New Jersey has launched a new program for families with a child with autism spectrum disorder. The new program allows any family with a …
Supplemental Security Income Recipients Will Receive Automatic COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
The Social Security Administration announced today that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments directly to their bank accounts …