<p>I have been working on post high school plans for my son. He is on track to graduate from high school with his peers at 18 in May of 2016. He does have an IEP and he is mainstreamed for most of his classes.</p>
<p>I really have no idea if he can handle going away to college. I am fairly certain that he can handle community college but maybe not beyond that. While there is nothing wrong with community college, he wants to go away. I don’t want to squash dreams and I don’t want to set him up for failure.</p>
<p>I signed my S up to tour the campus and the program on a no school day Monday in February. Hopefully we will be able to talk with a current student then. If we like what we see, then we will ask for recs from parents of current students. </p>
<p>On another note, I talked with an attorney today that specializes in getting SSDI for kids. She only gets paid if we win SSDI. She gets paid 25% of the initial lump sum payment, capped at $6000. She determined that our income was within the guidelines, though high enough that we may only get a partial settlement if we win. She agreed to take the case. I take that to mean she thinks we have a decent shot. If S gets the SSDI, then she will help us transition to adult SSDI when he turns 18. </p>
<p>this is great news for those with disabilities nearing the legal age of adulthood…allowing parents to save for their kids, much like a 529 plan…without jeopardizing SSI</p>
<p>Every now and then, not as often as I like, a law gets passed that makes sense. It makes me wonder why it wasn’t passed before, but that’s a grumpy thought so we’ll move along.</p>
<p>Wow, it’s about time! We were trying to figure out how to help our son save LEGALLY, and were hitting a brick wall. This is so awesome.</p>
<p>With all the reading I do about disabilities, how come I hadn’t heard ANYTHING about this?? I will tell our state NAMI people to spread the word!</p>
<p>So it looks like the ABLE act is a way for parents to get around the limits on supporting their adult disabled children. Previously, we were limited to giving our disabled son $14K a year. But now it seems like we can give him $14K directly, and also put $14K in his account. This is relevant for us because we’d like our son to live on his own, but housing is so expensive in our area, $1200/month and up for a studio apartment, that if we paid his rent we’d already be above the gift limit.</p>
<p>I hadn’t looked at it from that perspective as our DD lives with us and probably will for some time.
If i understand correctly, the ABLE acct will let us save money FOR HER but the balance in the acct will not make her ineligible for the SSI she receives. Currently, she cannot have more than $2000 in assets.</p>
<p>We’d like to contribute to her account but SHE could also safely contribute some SSI that is unused for other expenses and also her (small) earnings. Now, we are always aware of the need to watch her bank balance.
Obviosly, if she lives on her own, her expenses would increase and there would be no “extra” to save.</p>
Happy 2015 to my fellow CCers with children with special needs!
Alot of my resolutions for the new year revolve around investigating and pursuing additional options for our DD.
ESPECIALLY regarding employment and housing. And also helping her navigate safely (i hope) through her first somewhat serious romantic relationship.
so we’ll move along.</p>