Medicaid Spend Down: Pay for More Than Just Medical Bills

Since the 1960s, Medicaid has provided health care coverage for low-income people across the United States. For millions of seniors, Medicaid offers financial assistance, helping them to cover the cost of long-term care services. Today, this joint federal-state...

What Is Medicaid, and How Does Medicaid Work?

Medicaid is a public benefits program that provides health insurance to low-income children, seniors, and people with disabilities. In addition, it covers care in a nursing home for those who qualify. Different states may have different names for the program. For...

Up to $7,500 Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled

Low-income seniors and people with disabilities may be missing out on a tax credit that could reduce their tax liability by up to $7,500 this tax season. To qualify for the Senior Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled, individuals must either be above age 65 or...

Federal Program Helps Nursing Home Residents Move Home

Once someone enters a nursing home, it isn’t always easy to move out again. While some residents may prefer nursing home care to living on their own, others would rather be independent. For residents who want to move out but need some assistance to live on their...

The SECURE Act & SECURE Act 2.0: Effects on Special Needs Planning

The SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act, passed at the end of 2019, changed a number of rules regarding inherited IRAs, making it more difficult for most beneficiaries to save on taxes by “stretching” distributions over many...

Key Decisions in Setting Up a Special Needs Trust

Simply defined, a trust is an agreement between two people — a grantor who donates funds to the trust and a trustee who manages those funds according to the grantor’s wishes, which are laid out in a trust document. The funds in the trust are typically used...

Medicaid Planning Protects Your Home

Your most valuable property may be your home, which is true for many people. You likely want your children to inherit that value when you pass away. However, you may also have concerns about planning for the future, especially if your health declines and you need...

Thinking About & Securing You Legacy

Worrying about your legacy is a personal choice, and individuals may have different reasons for considering the impact they leave on the world. From financial security of loved ones, preserving memories, passing down family traditions, community influence, and being...

Should I Maintain a Property Likely to Be Taken By Medicaid?

Question: My sister is in a nursing home for the rest of her life, and I have POA. Her care is paid by Medicaid. We pay utilities and property taxes on her vacant trailer to maintain it. Medicaid wants us to use our sister’s small income to pay the nursing home...