Sheri R. Abrams's Blog, page 8

Special Needs Issues: Special Needs Planning and the Absentee Parent

Not all families come from storybooks or primetime television. Not every parent remains in his or her child’s life, which can be very painful for both the child and the other parent. This can create financial issues too, since the other parent is gone but maybe still living. This can create unique issues with special needs planning and determining eligibility for benefits. This is where a Virginia Special Needs Planning lawyer can be especially beneficial. If you’re not sure, or simply don’t...

Important Information for Fairfax County Residents!

Fairfax County has finally opened up their waiting list for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV).

The waiting list will only be open from January 29, 2019 at 8:00 AM until February 4, 2019 at 11:59 PM.

It is very important that you get on this waiting list during this time since this waiting list was last opened in 2007.

For more information visit the Fairfax County Housing and Community Development website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/housing/waitlist

Original article: Important Information for Fairfax...

The Government Shutdown: How Does it Affect Social Security?

With the federal government partially shutdown, Social Security disability clients wonder how it will affect their cases and payments. The good news is that those who already receive Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) should continue receiving any payments owed to them and any pending cases should proceed.  However, some delays may occur due to worker furloughs.

The current partial federal government shutdown involves appropriations for nine federal departments...

When Rheumatoid Arthritis Becomes a Disability

Arthritis is a term used to describe a medical condition where a person’s joints are inflamed. Inflamed joints cause stiffness, soreness and swelling.  One type of arthritis is inflammatory or Rheumatoid arthritis, which is actually a systemic disease capable of affecting your entire body including your cardiovascular or respiratory systems.  If someone with rheumatoid arthritis doesn’t get treated, this autoimmune disease can cause permanent damage.

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disability?

A d...

Scammers Make Fake Social Security Calls!

Beware of fake Social Security calls!

If you get a call that looks like it’s from the Social Security Administration (SSA), think twice. Scammers are spoofing SSA’s 1-800 customer service number to try to get your personal information. Spoofing means that scammers can call from anywhere, but they make your caller ID show a different number – often one that looks legit. Here are few things you should know about these so-called SSA calls.

These scam calls are happening across the nation, accord...

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Special Needs Planning Attorney in Virginia

When you have a child with special needs or disabilities, there are many decisions that need to be made regarding his or her future security and physical care. All parents want to protect their children, and those who have kids with disabilities will find that they must take extra steps to achieve their goals.  Working with a special needs planning attorney in Virginia who focuses on this area of the law and understands your family’s unique needs can make all the difference.

To ensure that yo...

Protect Your Child With Disabilities by Creating a Special Needs Trust in Virginia

Protect Your Child With Disabilities by Creating a Special Needs Trust in Virginia

When your child with disabilities turns 18, he or she may become eligible for Federal benefits for the first time. Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicaid can open new doors for your child with special needs. However, your family must now be especially careful when structuring an estate and legal plan, as one wrong financial move can cause these benefits to be lost…

Avoid the Biggest M...

Probably the #1 Question I Receive is “How Can I Receive More Money From SSI?”

“How Can I Receive More Money From SSI?”

The amount of money individuals and married couples receive through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is very low. That is why many people wonder if they or perhaps their disabled child who is over age 18  can somehow have their monthly payouts increased.  If the disabled person is  already receiving the maximum amount in benefits, the  answer is “no.” This amount is a fixed number and there is no way to appeal to the Social Security Administration (S...

Use this Helpful Checklist When Planning for Your Adult Disabled Child in Virginia

Planning for the future is a wise idea for all of us. However, if you have a child who is disabled and will soon turn 18, it is essential to plan now because soon he or she will become an adult in the eyes of the law and you will no longer have a say over personal or health matters.

Fortunately, there are legal steps you can take to maintain your control over your adult child’s affairs, no matter what your child’s age is. Some steps require court intervention, and some can be completed with...

4 Benefits of Special Needs Planning That You May Not Know

I’ve written many times regarding the importance of planning if you have a child with disabilities. Frankly, I have tried to make it very clear that it is dangerous to leave a disabled person an inheritance outright. Doing so could jeopardize the disabled individual’s access to critical government benefits.  You may not know that there are benefits of special needs planning that go beyond government benefits.

It is essential to establish a Special Needs Trust if you or any other person is goi...