Protecting SSI and Medicaid Benefits After an Inheritance or Other Windfall | Special Needs Planning

Safeguard SSI and Medicaid upon settlement or inheritance. Learn strategies to preserve benefits and ensure financial security for individuals with disabilities. Receiving an unexpected inheritance can jeopardize vital public benefits like SSI and Medicaid for individuals with disabilities. In this webinar, Michele Fuller — a nationally recognized expert in settlement and special needs planning — explains how to protect benefits after receiving a windfall, including strategies like ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and proper spend-down techniques. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or professional advocate, this session provides essential insights to secure your loved one's financial future without sacrificing critical public benefits. Learn more about Advocacy, Inc.'s mission to empower individuals with disabilities at https://www.advocacysnt.org. 📌 Need expert help? Visit https://www.advocacysnt.org for resources, consultations, and upcoming webinars. 🔔 Subscribe for monthly webinars on settlement planning, special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and protecting disability benefits. ✅ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:11 Overview 2:26 Benefits Chart 6:08 SSI & Medicaid Eligibility 8:55 Types of SSI Income 11:18 Impact on SSI & Medicaid 13:37 Who has Legal Authority? 16:10 When is a Guardian Needed? 18:45 Guardian vs. Conservatorship Chart 21:27 Guardianship Impact on Financial Management 22:58 What is Power of Attorney 25:36 Guardianship vs. POA Snapshot 27:13 I Love ABLE Accounts! 33:20 One of My Favorite Tools: Special Needs Trusts 39:14 Spend-Down: Strategic Use of Funds 42:03 Spending Down Rent and PMV Reduction 42:51 Scenario: Minor Receiving Inheritance 46:35 Scenario: 18-Year Old Adult Receiving Inheritance w/o Guardian 48:32 Scenario: What About a 40-Year Old Adult? 50:26 Scenario: Adult Receiving Inheritance w/ Guardian 55:19 Scenario: Mom Wants to Name Child as Beneficiary of Life Insurance 56:44 What’s the biggest mistake families make after receiving an inheritance?