How Are Benefits for Disability (SSDI) Calculated?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal public assistance program that seeks to support people with disabilities. When applying for SSDI, many people want to know upfront how much they will be eligible to receive in benefits each month.

What You Should Know About Long-Term Care

June 20, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

Research shows that roughly one in seven adults aged 65 or older will need long-term care at some point in their later years. Meanwhile, tens of millions of Baby Boomers in the United States are growing older and living longer.

5 Ways to Update Your Estate Plan After a “Gray” Divorce

June 13, 2024
Tim Larson
Estate Planning, Our Blog, Wills & Trusts

Deciding to end a marriage as an older adult is increasingly common. If your marriage ended later in life, you could be part of the “gray” divorce trend. AARP reports that Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are...

Supplemental vs. Special Needs Trusts: Any Difference?

Have you heard the terms “special” needs trust and “supplemental” needs trust and wondered what the difference is? The simple answer is that there’s no difference. Whether supplemental or special, these trusts serve the same purpose of helping meet the needs...

A black phone shows the webpage for Medicaid.gov where the tagline says Keeping America Healthy with an American flag heart outlined by a blue stethoscope.

Undue Hardship and the Medicaid Penalty Period

May 30, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living

If you are planning to apply for Medicaid, you might not realize that you should think twice before transferring any of your assets. If you transfer assets within five years of applying for Medicaid, you could face a penalty period. During...

A ladies hand holds a silver pen in front off an iPad.

Securely Storing Your Legal Documents

Among your key estate planning documents are your will, living wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Securing these somewhere your survivors can easily access them is crucial. Consider storing other information, like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and medical records,...

Older gentleman wearing a white hat and black glasses is sitting in a wheelchair at a table. He is being passed a bowl of noodles from a lady.

Food Will No Longer Count as Income for SSI Recipients

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a major change regarding how it calculates In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) for recipients of Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. Beginning later this year, the SSA will no longer count “free food” as...

Healthcare worker in blue and white scrubs places a food tray with cereal and a white coffee mug in front of an older gentleman with silver hair wearing and ivory colored shirt.

Getting Help When Providing Care at Home for Aging Parents

May 9, 2024
Tim Larson
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Our Blog, Senior Living, Wills & Trusts

As they grow older, your parents may prefer to continue living in their home rather than moving to a long-term care facility. They are not alone in this; more than three-quarters of adults over the age of 50 say they...

Man in light blue shirt clutches his head and fist in frustration as he sits at a table with a laptop and papers in front of him.

A Useless Power of Attorney: Avoid Free Legal Documents

A power of attorney designates a trusted individual to make decisions or conduct transactions on your behalf. They could be related to personal finances, business operations, or medical needs and used for a single immediate purpose or an ongoing situation.

Do Personal Injury Settlements Affect SSI or SSDI Benefits?

The answer to how personal injury settlements affect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits depends on your specific situation. However, there is a general answer: SSDI – No, your settlement does not affect SSDI benefit payments. SSI...