12 minutes
The tools that exist Learn the main tools that let a person save, earn and keep coverage, and where the line falls between general knowledge and individual advice.
What you’ll be able to do Name the main tools that let a person with a disability save, earn and keep coverage, describe what each is for in general terms, and state which questions require a certified planner. Compare the responses to this question and explain your choice: What is the most useful response? Document a next step for The tools that exist: Find out which people you support have a tax-advantaged disability savings account, and whether the others have been told one exists. Knowing what exists is the staff role Staff who are not certified benefits planners should not tell a person what will happen to their benefits if they do a particular thing. That is individual advice, and getting it wrong has real costs. What staff can and should do is know that tools exist, describe them in general terms, correct beliefs that no such tools exist, and make the referral. A person who has never heard of a savings account that does not count against asset limits will never ask a planner about one.
The main tools, in general terms Tax-advantaged disability savings account
A savings account for people whose disability began before a set age, in which savings up to a limit are not counted toward asset limits for most programs. Withdrawals for qualified disability expenses, which are broad, are not taxed. The main answer to the saving problem for many people.
Special needs trust
A trust that holds money for a person's benefit without the money counting as their asset. Used for inheritances, settlements and gifts. Requires a lawyer to set up; several types exist with different rules.
Work incentives
Provisions across benefit programs that let a person earn without losing eligibility as fast as base rules imply: earnings disregards, trial work periods, expense deductions and others. Which apply depends on the person.
Medical assistance for employed people with disabilities
A Minnesota program that lets working people with disabilities keep medical assistance with a premium based on income, at income and asset levels well above the standard program. A central answer to the coverage fear.
Plan to achieve self-support
A written plan, approved by the benefits agency, that lets a person set aside income or resources toward a specific work goal without those amounts counting against benefits.
What you can say, and what needs a planner You can say That tools exist. What each is for in general. That many people in similar situations use them. That a planner can confirm the fit. That planning is free. How to reach one.
A planner should say Whether this person is eligible for a given tool. How a specific deposit, earning or purchase would affect their specific benefits. What sequence of steps to take. What to report and when. Anything with a number in it.
A lawyer should say Anything about trusts, inheritances, settlements or estate planning. Planners will often know who to refer to.
Make the referral routine What you can change You control whether benefits planning is something a person gets when a crisis forces it or something offered at every financial change: a job, a gift, a move, a marriage.
What to watch for Do not wait for the person to ask. People do not ask about tools they have never heard of.
Your next step Add a standard question to your planning conversation: has a benefits planner looked at your situation in the last year?
Carry this forward Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities let many people save without the savings being counted against asset limits, within annual and total limits.
Special needs trusts hold money for a person's benefit without counting as their asset, and they require a lawyer to set up.
Work incentives and Minnesota's medical assistance program for employed people with disabilities let many people earn and keep coverage; the specific fit requires a planner.
A flashcard set on the tools, an accordion on what requires a planner, a scenario decision and a knowledge check.
Find out which people you support have a tax-advantaged disability savings account, and whether the others have been told one exists.
Browse and download only. Course notes are not typed or saved on this page.
Reset this lesson
Previous lesson Next lesson Participation and course completion in this program do not count toward DHS-required training credits unless management, a director, or DHS leadership expressly approves an exception.
