We meet the lifetime legal needs of children and adults with disabilities, the elderly, and their families.
When you become financially eligible for Medicaid, the next step is to apply and it’s generally a straightforward process. You fill out an application with basic information about yourself and submit it to the county Job and Family Services (JFS) where you currently reside. However, the next steps are crucial and can become overwhelming. Be prepared to send JFS current…
Often, when working with clients on getting a plan in place for Mom, applying for Medicaid and getting her settled in the nursing home, I am asked, “Now what do I do to plan for and protect Dad?” We’ve preserved the home and maximized income and resources for him, but now what? Is he protected if anything else may happen?…
I work collaboratively with dozens of nursing home and assisted living facilities when clients need to apply for Medicaid. I find facility staff to be some of the most Medicaid-knowledgeable people in the world, but I’ve also seen too many cases where families relied on the facility to guide them through a Medicaid application, and big problems arose. Applying for…
It’s common for me to speak with families about Medicaid planning, and often, the idea of such planning is immediately dismissed as unnecessary because Mom and Dad “only” have $50,000 in savings, a house and a car. The family assumes that since there is only $50,000 in liquid assets to spend down, they need to spend that as quickly as…
With all the changes that have taken place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including social isolation and broken routines, we are finding that some people who were once “stable” and able to manage their daily affairs safely are now unable to do so. They may be eloping, refusing food or medication, or maybe even having thoughts of suicide. For some…
The COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for all of us. Economic, psychological, and most important, physical health is on the top of everyone’s mind during just about all waking hours. We must stay strong for our vulnerable and remember that with the right preparedness and planning, this too shall pass. Estate plans are vitally important to our overall preparedness and peace…
This is an unbelievable time. We are embarking on uncharted territory as COVID-19 affects everything from small businesses, to taxes, elections, sporting events, and even the supply and demand of toilet paper. With mandated school closures across Ohio and much of the country, families, administrators, and lawmakers are scrambling to put procedures together and are trying to figure out what…
.We find ourselves in unprecedented times, with schools closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It can be overwhelming and uncertain, but as your trusted advocate, I am here to help guide you through the process and provide the best information I can. Here is what I can tell you right now. This has never happened before, so…
Taking care of an elderly parent – even providing necessary supervision – can be the only thing keeping Mom or Dad out of assisted living or a nursing home. But providing that care can be a full-time endeavor for the caretaker, often requiring significant, life-changing decisions about their own income and living arrangements. The Medicaid rules are set up to…
In formulating an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your child with a disability, a good Evaluation Team Report (ETR) is crucial. The ETR drives the IEP, which allows your child to succeed in their educational environment. The following are some tips on how to use that ETR as your guide throughout the IEP process. Category of Eligibility Isn’t Everything: Sometimes,…