Year-End Gifts to Family Members With Special Needs
Here are some things to consider when making holiday gifts to family members who are on public benefits.
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Law Office of
Eric M. Kearney, LLC
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Eric Kearney
- Jun 4, 2019
- 2 min
Gift Cards: A New Way to Contribute to ABLE Accounts
A Gift of Independence gift card is a new way to honor, celebrate, reward or support a member of your family, a friend, a co-worker or a nei
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Eric Kearney
- May 9, 2019
- 2 min
Invite Others to Contribute to the SNT
A standalone third party trust can be a great opportunity for other family members to make a lifetime (or testamentary) contribution to a di
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Eric Kearney
- Apr 10, 2019
- 3 min
IRA Distributions to Special Needs Trusts - Minimizing Income Taxes
For many parents, the majority of their savings is held in some kind of a retirement account, often an Individual Retirement Account...
70 views0 comments
Eric Kearney
- Feb 16, 2019
- 2 min
What Can a Special Needs Trust Pay For?
A special needs trust is designed to provide a person with a disability the funds to enhance her quality of life while at the same time...
102 views0 comments
Eric Kearney
- Jan 3, 2019
- 2 min
Pooled Trusts: Should You Consider Taking a Dip?
Most special needs trusts (SNTs) are set up to benefit one individual. But it’s possible to contribute to a trust where the funds of...
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Eric Kearney
- Jun 4, 2018
- 2 min
Social Security Provides Guidance on the Use of Prepaid Debit Cards by Special Needs Trust Beneficia
SSA recently issued new guidance regarding the use of prepaid debit cards like True Link with Special Needs Trusts. This marks the first tim
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Eric Kearney
- May 3, 2018
- 3 min
Can I pay for travel expenses out of a Special Needs Trust? Can I pay for Companion Care?
A frequent question I get as a special needs planner is “Can I pay for travel expenses out of a Special Needs Trust? What about companion ca
1,825 views0 comments
erickearney
- May 1, 2018
- 3 min
Highlights From the New POMS
Special Needs Planners are excited about the new POMS that the Social Security Administration released regarding Special Needs Trusts. Learn
255 views0 comments
Eric Kearney
- May 1, 2018
- 1 min
New SSA POMS on Special Needs Trusts Issued
New guidance from Social Security Administration regarding Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) has issued. Take a look at the provisions.
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Eric Kearney
- May 1, 2018
- 2 min
What Assets Are Not Counted When Applying for SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that helps people with disabilities and very low incomes pay for food, clothing...
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Eric Kearney
- Nov 3, 2017
- 2 min
ABLE account aggregate annual contribution raised to $15,000 nationally
The IRS has confirmed an increase to Section 2503, the federal gift tax exclusion. Section 529A(a)(2) of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Be
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erickearney
- Oct 8, 2017
- 2 min
Key Decisions in Setting Up a Special Needs Trust - Who will be the Trustee?
Simply defined, a trust is an agreement between two people -- a grantor who donates funds to the trust and a trustee who manages those...
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Eric Kearney
- Sep 13, 2017
- 1 min
CMS Guidance on ABLE Accounts
At long last the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had provided guidance to states on how to treat “ABLE” accounts in...
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Eric Kearney
- Aug 3, 2017
- 2 min
Is There a Difference Between "Supplemental" and "Special" Needs Trusts?
You may have heard the terms "special" needs trust and "supplemental" needs trust and wondered what the difference is. T
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erickearney
- Apr 1, 2017
- 3 min
How to Make Distributions to an SNT Beneficiary Without Disrupting Their SSI
When serving as the trustee of a special needs trust, it is crucial to be careful when making distributions for the benefit of the trust...
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erickearney
- Apr 1, 2017
- 1 min
Why It Is Important to Have an Attorney Who Focuses on Special Needs Trusts
Many attorneys create trusts, and some even create special needs trusts, often using pre-written templates. So why, you may ask, do you...
34 views0 comments
Eric Kearney
- Dec 13, 2016
- 1 min
Special Needs Fairness Act Passes
The Special Needs Fairness Act has been signed into law as part of the 21st Century Cures Act. Competent disabled individuals can now establ
36 views0 comments
erickearney
- Dec 8, 2016
- 1 min
Progress on the SNT Fairness Act
The Senate approved H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act, by a vote of 94 to 5. The...
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erickearney
- Dec 1, 2016
- 1 min
House Passes Health Package with SNT Fairness Act
The House passed H.R. 34 – 21st Century Cures Act, a major health care package that included the Special Needs Trust (SNT) Fairness Act (Sec
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