ABCs of Disability Planning

By ABCs of Disability Planning

Frequently families like mine don't know what's available to help us, we're too focused on getting through our day-to-day. But even if we had time, we would need to know what to look for. It's my miss... more

99 ratings

FAQs about ABCs of Disability Planning:

How many episodes does ABCs of Disability Planning have?

The podcast currently has 357 episodes available.

ABCs of Disability Planning episodes:

September 20, 2021 What is Burial Insurance? Special Considerations w/ Brenda Hager
Website: https://www.specialconsiderations.com/home-page
Phone: (717) 846-4581 Direct | Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @SpecialConsiderations
Special Considerations is NOT an insurance company. They specialize in Funeral Expense Planning for individuals with Special Needs.
They offer burial insurance for anyone and everyone, regardless of disability. This is an important service for families. Many insurance companies will sell to someone with a disability. This means the family pays out of pocket.
You can have burial insurance and not hurt your SSI or Medicaid. The max is $15,000 in most states. It's not designed to grow cash value or replace lost income.
If you have specific questions about burial insurance or Special Considerations please reach out to Brenda, I interviewed her because I have found her to not be "salesy".
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
...more
31min
September 20, 2021 What is Burial Insurance? Special Considerations w/ Brenda Hager
Website: https://www.specialconsiderations.com/home-page
Phone: (717) 846-4581 Direct | Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @SpecialConsiderations
Special Considerations is NOT an insurance company. They specialize in Funeral Expense Planning for individuals with Special Needs.
They offer burial insurance for anyone and everyone, regardless of disability. This is an important service for families. Many insurance companies will sell to someone with a disability. This means the family pays out of pocket.
You can have burial insurance and not hurt your SSI or Medicaid. The max is $15,000 in most states. It's not designed to grow cash value or replace lost income.
If you have specific questions about burial insurance or Special Considerations please reach out to Brenda, I interviewed her because I have found her to not be "salesy".
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/support
...more
31min
September 13, 2021 Special Needs Planning with a focus on your values
Website: elizabethjlarson.com | Phone: (248) 722-7823
Email: [email protected] | Twitter: @EJLarson4
FB: @elizabethlarsonj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrM4rO-DKK_cSKcgtTOiZQ?view_as=subscriber
Elizabeth Larson is a Financial Consultant with a unique approach to helping families. She does "Values-Based Planning". This means she is interested in understanding what a goal means to someone. Not just what the goal is. Taking the extra time to understand the "why" helps both her and her clients have a much more meaningful engagement.
Elizabeth is no stranger to the disability community. She is the 4th child of 13 in her family. This includes four sisters with Down Syndrome. The special place Down Syndrome has in her heart is readily apparent. She is very active with GiGi's Playhouse - going so far as rappelling down a 26-story building to raise money!
Elizabeth doesn't try to be everything to everybody. In my opinion, this is one of her strengths. She is fantastic at helping individuals and couples really understand what matters. Elizabeth fosters conversations most of us avoid or take for granted. By focusing on this, and holding her clients accountable, she plays to her strengths.
Another strength she has is her network of professionals. Elizabeth recognizes she cannot be an "expert" in everything. However, she is familiar enough to know what is needed and which professional to connect with. This is an important skill for any professional, but especially for someone helping families plan their financial future.
Elizabeth is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners. This gives her access to some of the best special needs attorneys in the country. During our conversation, she recommends families use this resource to find an attorney or get their questions answered. Here is a link: https://specialneedsanswers.com/.
To paraphrase - "let the professionals do the heavy lifting so the families can do the living".
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
...more
27min
September 13, 2021 Special Needs Planning with a focus on your values
Website: elizabethjlarson.com | Phone: (248) 722-7823
Email: [email protected] | Twitter: @EJLarson4
FB: @elizabethlarsonj
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrM4rO-DKK_cSKcgtTOiZQ?view_as=subscriber
Elizabeth Larson is a Financial Consultant with a unique approach to helping families. She does "Values-Based Planning". This means she is interested in understanding what a goal means to someone. Not just what the goal is. Taking the extra time to understand the "why" helps both her and her clients have a much more meaningful engagement.
Elizabeth is no stranger to the disability community. She is the 4th child of 13 in her family. This includes four sisters with Down Syndrome. The special place Down Syndrome has in her heart is readily apparent. She is very active with GiGi's Playhouse - going so far as rappelling down a 26-story building to raise money!
Elizabeth doesn't try to be everything to everybody. In my opinion, this is one of her strengths. She is fantastic at helping individuals and couples really understand what matters. Elizabeth fosters conversations most of us avoid or take for granted. By focusing on this, and holding her clients accountable, she plays to her strengths.
Another strength she has is her network of professionals. Elizabeth recognizes she cannot be an "expert" in everything. However, she is familiar enough to know what is needed and which professional to connect with. This is an important skill for any professional, but especially for someone helping families plan their financial future.
Elizabeth is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners. This gives her access to some of the best special needs attorneys in the country. During our conversation, she recommends families use this resource to find an attorney or get their questions answered. Here is a link: https://specialneedsanswers.com/.
To paraphrase - "let the professionals do the heavy lifting so the families can do the living".
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/support
...more
27min
September 06, 2021 42: Wolf+ Friends with Carissa Tozzi & Gena Mann
https://members.wolfandfriends.com/?autojoin=1
Instagram: @wolfandfriends.app

Carissa and Gena are moms who have children with disabilities. They understand things become more expensive when they are sold for use by someone with a disability. They created an environment where moms can share their "life hacks".

Wolf+ Friends is much more than a social media site like Facebook. It's a place where moms can educate themselves and talk to experts without the pressure of being "sold to". The goal, in a non-pandemic world, is to foster community through in-person meetups. Carissa reminds us you "get out what you give in".

Wolf+Friends is the award-winning community network designed to inspire, educate, and motivate special-needs parents + their children to live happier, healthier, and empowered lives.

MEET parents who are raising children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, developmental delays + differences, mental health issues, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorders—in a private, judgment-free space.

CONNECT with their network of specialists. Includes developmental and behavioral pediatricians, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, behaviorists, psychiatrists, psychologists, art therapists, feeding therapists, social skills therapists + more.

ATTEND unlimited events, meetups, classes, courses + workshops hosted by their network of special needs providers, special guests, and parents in their community.

DISCOVER & shop expert-recommended products to support your child's unique developmental needs.

ACCESS a carefully curated selection of trusted resources, articles, podcasts, videos + more.

BE part of a support system like no other!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases
For more information about Special Needs Navigator you can find us here:
Schedule your free consult: https://meetings.hubspot.com/eric1021
Web: https://www.specialneedsnavigator.us/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @SpecNeedsNav
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Special-Needs-Navigator
---
This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
---
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning/message
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning/support
...more
20min
August 30, 2021 What do Daily Money Managers do - Vera Kurlantzick
Mindful Money Management
Vera Kurlantzick, MS, CDMM®
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 367-2859
Website: https://mindfulforyou.com/
When I first learned about Daily Money Managers I thought only rich people worked with them. This isn't true. I invited Vera Kurlantzick to explain what Daily Money Managers do. I believe they can help families w/ disabilities.
Daily Money Managers do much more than help people pay bills. Vera's examples include sorting mail and managing transitions. It can be when you get divorced or moves out on your own. Not all Financial Advisors help their clients budget. And not everyone can afford to work with a Financial Advisor.
Working with a Daily Money Manager to get your bill pay set up can be the first step to living independently. If there are concerns about continued payments or false charges, the Daily Money Manager can check in monthly. They can work with Guardians and/or Trustees.
In the video, we talk about a sibling being a Trustee and the Daily Money Manager helping the person with the disability manage their daily expenses. The Daily Money Manager would do this by helping them use their ABLE account.
Another example is hiring a Daily Money Manager to help you gather all the documents you need to file for SSI or SSDI. This can be a complicated, and frustrating, process. The Daily Money Manager can help you sort and organize your paperwork before you submit it. They can make sure you have copies of everything. Some may be able to help you complete the application.
I've come to think of Daily Money Managers as specialized personal assistants. We can all use help in our day-to-day lives. Daily Money Managers are NOT Financial Advisors. They have very different roles.
They can help you create and stick to a spending plan. Daily Money Managers are also NOT attorneys. They can help you organize your paperwork. They will not give you legal advice.
Thinking about hiring a Daily Money Manager? Do your homework. Do you know someone who has used one? Ask them what it was like. You need to be able to trust this person. Ask how they work. Do they do things FOR you or WITH you? This is an important distinction.
There is a certification available from the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM). Even if not certified, you'll want a Daily Money Manager who is a member. Membership requires a background check, so you'll know at least they've been vetted. The AADMM website also has a tool to search for Daily Money Managers in your area. You can find it here: https://secure.aadmm.com/find-a-dmm/
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
...more
32min
August 30, 2021 What do Daily Money Managers do - Vera Kurlantzick
Mindful Money Management
Vera Kurlantzick, MS, CDMM®
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 367-2859
Website: https://mindfulforyou.com/
When I first learned about Daily Money Managers I thought only rich people worked with them. This isn't true. I invited Vera Kurlantzick to explain what Daily Money Managers do. I believe they can help families w/ disabilities.
Daily Money Managers do much more than help people pay bills. Vera's examples include sorting mail and managing transitions. It can be when you get divorced or moves out on your own. Not all Financial Advisors help their clients budget. And not everyone can afford to work with a Financial Advisor.
Working with a Daily Money Manager to get your bill pay set up can be the first step to living independently. If there are concerns about continued payments or false charges, the Daily Money Manager can check in monthly. They can work with Guardians and/or Trustees.
In the video, we talk about a sibling being a Trustee and the Daily Money Manager helping the person with the disability manage their daily expenses. The Daily Money Manager would do this by helping them use their ABLE account.
Another example is hiring a Daily Money Manager to help you gather all the documents you need to file for SSI or SSDI. This can be a complicated, and frustrating, process. The Daily Money Manager can help you sort and organize your paperwork before you submit it. They can make sure you have copies of everything. Some may be able to help you complete the application.
I've come to think of Daily Money Managers as specialized personal assistants. We can all use help in our day-to-day lives. Daily Money Managers are NOT Financial Advisors. They have very different roles.
They can help you create and stick to a spending plan. Daily Money Managers are also NOT attorneys. They can help you organize your paperwork. They will not give you legal advice.
Thinking about hiring a Daily Money Manager? Do your homework. Do you know someone who has used one? Ask them what it was like. You need to be able to trust this person. Ask how they work. Do they do things FOR you or WITH you? This is an important distinction.
There is a certification available from the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM). Even if not certified, you'll want a Daily Money Manager who is a member. Membership requires a background check, so you'll know at least they've been vetted. The AADMM website also has a tool to search for Daily Money Managers in your area. You can find it here: https://secure.aadmm.com/find-a-dmm/
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/support
...more
32min
August 23, 2021 Tax Considerations when you have a Special Need Trust - Leo Rotman
Website: https://www.riverfg.com/Our-Founder-and-Firm.1.htm
Email: [email protected] (preferred)
Phone: 781-398-1351
Facebook: @RiverFG
Leo Rotman is a Financial Advisor and Founder of River Financial Group, LLC. He's also a dad, he's walked the walk and understands firsthand the challenges we face as parents. His firm works exclusively with families and individuals who have disabilities.
Before you determine how to fund a Trust you need to know what you need to pay for. Step 1 of planning is understanding what your objectives are. What do you want for your child? This is a moving target. Your goals will change as your child ages. Especially if your child gains independence.
Leo shares a few ways you can fund a Special Needs Trust. You can put just about anything into a Special Needs Trust. He uses an analogy of putting gas into a car. Some assets, like cash, are very efficient and flexible, your "high octane gas". Others, like pre-tax retirement accounts, are much less efficient or "low octane".
Pre-tax retirement accounts, like 401(k)s and Traditional IRAs, have required minimum distributions. This means the money HAS to come out at some point. When you are alive, they have to start by the time you turn 72 (2020). When you die there are different rules. It's important to understand these rules and take them into account when you plan.
The money coming from these accounts will be taxed as income. All Trusts, not just Special Needs Trusts, pay taxes at the highest rate. In 2020 this was 37%. They reach this level at a much lower level than people do. In 2020 the threshold to reach the 37% tax bracket was $12,950 of income. Roth retirement accounts do not pay ANY income taxes. Brokerage accounts will pay capital gains tax on the gains.
Life insurance death benefits are typically tax-free. They are also "perfectly timed with the need". Leo explains this means the insurance provides the death benefit when it's needed most. Leo very briefly touches on the different types of life insurance. This will be its own episode.
Having life insurance can give you permission to spend your money (retirement accounts) on yourself. You know there will be money available when you die. I don't think I would've started my business if I didn't have the life insurance I have. It gives me the confidence I need to put the money I'm earning back into the business, rather than saving it for my son. I know my son will be provided for as long as I can pay the insurance premiums.
The point of this discussion is to stress the importance of planning. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said "if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." This is still true, over 300 years later.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
...more
35min
August 23, 2021 Tax Considerations when you have a Special Need Trust - Leo Rotman
Website: https://www.riverfg.com/Our-Founder-and-Firm.1.htm
Email: [email protected] (preferred)
Phone: 781-398-1351
Facebook: @RiverFG
Leo Rotman is a Financial Advisor and Founder of River Financial Group, LLC. He's also a dad, he's walked the walk and understands firsthand the challenges we face as parents. His firm works exclusively with families and individuals who have disabilities.
Before you determine how to fund a Trust you need to know what you need to pay for. Step 1 of planning is understanding what your objectives are. What do you want for your child? This is a moving target. Your goals will change as your child ages. Especially if your child gains independence.
Leo shares a few ways you can fund a Special Needs Trust. You can put just about anything into a Special Needs Trust. He uses an analogy of putting gas into a car. Some assets, like cash, are very efficient and flexible, your "high octane gas". Others, like pre-tax retirement accounts, are much less efficient or "low octane".
Pre-tax retirement accounts, like 401(k)s and Traditional IRAs, have required minimum distributions. This means the money HAS to come out at some point. When you are alive, they have to start by the time you turn 72 (2020). When you die there are different rules. It's important to understand these rules and take them into account when you plan.
The money coming from these accounts will be taxed as income. All Trusts, not just Special Needs Trusts, pay taxes at the highest rate. In 2020 this was 37%. They reach this level at a much lower level than people do. In 2020 the threshold to reach the 37% tax bracket was $12,950 of income. Roth retirement accounts do not pay ANY income taxes. Brokerage accounts will pay capital gains tax on the gains.
Life insurance death benefits are typically tax-free. They are also "perfectly timed with the need". Leo explains this means the insurance provides the death benefit when it's needed most. Leo very briefly touches on the different types of life insurance. This will be its own episode.
Having life insurance can give you permission to spend your money (retirement accounts) on yourself. You know there will be money available when you die. I don't think I would've started my business if I didn't have the life insurance I have. It gives me the confidence I need to put the money I'm earning back into the business, rather than saving it for my son. I know my son will be provided for as long as I can pay the insurance premiums.
The point of this discussion is to stress the importance of planning. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said "if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." This is still true, over 300 years later.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abcs-disability-planning/support
...more
35min
August 16, 2021 Fusion Academy - Olga Marable
Website: https://www.fusionacademy.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 855-333-7075
Facebook: @fusionacademy
Twitter: @FusionAcademy
Olga Marable is the Director of Outreach for Maryland's Fusion Academy campuses. She explains who Fusion is and what makes them different. They use a "Love, Motivate, Teach" method. Their students stay engaged. No matter where you live, I encourage you to sign up for Olga's virtual lunch & learns - email her for more information.
Students have a 1 to 1 relationship with their teachers. After every class, there is an hour set aside for "Homework Cafe". I think it's a fantastic model. It beats the heck out of me doing work on the school bus ride home or in study hall (or not at all).
There are ~ 51 campuses around the country. Your child can also go to the global campus. It is a private pay school. Some children struggling in public schools may use Fusion as a nonpublic placement. You can use a 529 or ABLE account to pay. 529 account limits are $10k/year.
Olga shares who would not be successful with Fusion. It made sense to me. If a child is not at least to grade 6 academically; can't work independently, or has aggressive tendencies Fusion may not be a good fit.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
For more information about True North Disability Planning you can find us here:
Web: https://truenorthdisabilityplanning.com/
Blog - https://ejorgensenwordpresscom.wordpress.com
Podcast (ABC's of Disability Planning) - https://anchor.fm/abcs-disability-planning
Waypoints - https://waypoints.substack.com/
Facebook: @TrueNorthDisabilityPlanning
Twitter: @NeedsNavigator
Resource store (free downloads too) - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/True-North-Disability-Planning
...more
25min

FAQs about ABCs of Disability Planning:

How many episodes does ABCs of Disability Planning have?

The podcast currently has 357 episodes available.

More shows like ABCs of Disability Planning

Pod Save America

86,340 Listeners

Share ABCs of Disability Planning

Sign up to save your podcasts

ABCs of Disability Planning

FAQs about ABCs of Disability Planning:

How many episodes does ABCs of Disability Planning have?

ABCs of Disability Planning episodes:

FAQs about ABCs of Disability Planning:

How many episodes does ABCs of Disability Planning have?

More shows like ABCs of Disability Planning

Pod Save America