What is Guardianship? As a child with cognitive disabilities nears his or her 18th birthday, parents often wonder whether they should seek guardianship over their child. The short answer to this question is, “it depends.”

A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that lets a physically or mentally ill person, or someone chronically disabled, have access to funding without potentially losing the benefits provided by public assistance programs.

A life care plan is a blueprint for providing the economic security and services that someone with special needs will require in order to live a fulfilling life, as independently as possible.

Having health insurance for children with disabilities or special health care needs is essential. And, as our children become adults, they have new options for getting that health insurance.

Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI is a federal benefits program through the Social Security Administration that offers monthly payments to people who have disabilities or special health care needs.

The Social Security Administration will periodically examine aspects of your life to determine whether or not you still qualify to receive benefits and that the amount of those benefits is still correct.