ANNOUNCEMENTS – Program Vacancies
See the attached Adult Day Service/Vocational Vacancy Announcement List and Agency flyers for current program openings as well as MSC vacancies.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
AHRC has a new program, Job Seekers, whose aim is to prepare recent DOE graduates to transition into SEMP (Supported Employment) or ESEMP (Enhanced Supported Employment) within 2 years. The program has 12 participants with 4 staff. They work intensely on skills needed for full-time employment, including travel training. For additional information or to make a referral contact Fran Davis, 212-803-7355.
PICC is opening a new day habilitation site in May located at 17 W. 17th St. between 5th and 6th Aves. To make a referral contact Yoong Lee at 212-480-9169
YAI has announced its Spring schedule for the Family Support Series for caregivers of people on the autism spectrum. Please refer to the attached flyer for dates, topics and contact. Sessions are free of charge, but pre-registration is required. YAI also has openings for classes at the Autism Center. See the attached flyer for a list of the available classes. Call 1-888-YAI-AUTISM for more information.
Disability Mentoring Day will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, this year to coincide with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This is a national effort to promote career development for students. It is sponsored in part the by the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. For more information please read the attached flyer.
UPDATE – 2011 GRADUATES
The Department of Education Transition Coordinators made the following reports:
P79 – Gloria Johnson , TC
35 graduates – 4 have plans with selected agencies; 2 others have declined transition services; the rest are at different stages of transition process; no anticipated problems
P226 – Irene Kawamura, TC
12 graduates – 2 have definite plans; others are in process, no expected problems.
The Transition Coordinators from P721 and P138 were unable to attend the meeting, but the transition process with both schools appears to be progressing smoothly.
GUEST SPEAKER – David Cutner, Esq., Lamson & Cutner, P.C. – Trusts and Medicaid
The sole practice of the law firm of Lamson & Cutner is representing the elderly and the disabled populations. They specialize in assisting individuals to access Medicaid and to plan for the future while ensuring all NY state and city regulations are followed.
Mr. Cutner addressed the concerns once an individual with a developmental disability reaches the age of 18.
– person can access SSI. If eligible, Medicaid comes automatically
– assets cannot exceed $2,000 for SSI eligibility
– ways to assist with keeping assets within allowable SSI limits
• First Party Supplemental Needs Trust
• Uses funds of disabled person to create trust – can be from an inheritance, gift, settlement, etc.
• Person must be under age 65
• Person must be disabled
• Trust must be created by parent, grandparent, guardian or court; a trustee to manage the trust is named
• Trust does not jeopardize SSI and Medicaid
• It is a pay back trust – as long as person is alive the money is used for their benefit – upon their death, Medicaid has first claim on remainder of trust funds
• Avoids problems going forward because future money can be added.
• Pooled Income Trust
• For someone who has surplus income, for example, benefits received from a disabled parent or from the death of a parent
• To be eligible for Medicaid an individual cannot have a monthly income greater than $787.00. If a person’s income exceeds this amount a Pooled Trust can be established with an authorized not-for-profit organization. The excess income is sent to the trust monthly by the trustee. This money can be used for the benefit of the individual in whose name the trust is set-up.
• Parents cannot be the trustee of a Pooled Income Trust.
• Only the trustee can write checks on trust funds, the not-for-profit essentially becomes the bill paying service.
• Only limitation is that payments from the trust must be for the benefit of the individual. Payments can include rent, food, etc.
• Third Party Supplemental Needs Trust
• Funded by money coming from someone other than disabled person
• A good alternative for someone who wants to will or gift money to a person with a disability
• For persons of any age
• No pay back to Medicaid, gifter can name other beneficiaries in case of person’s death
• Trust terms can be written into a will or can be set up while person gifting money is still living
• The trust can also benefit parents – by putting money into the Third Party Trust, the money is no longer in parent’s name and may help them become eligible for Medicaid
– items to keep in mind
• Any money not specifically named in a will, either through insurance policies, bank accounts, etc., that names a person as beneficiary is considered a monetary asset for that person.
• Working individuals who exceed the allowable income for Medicaid can consider the Medicaid-Buy In for Medicaid eligibility
• Parents can set up trusts without the assistance of a lawyer
For further information about trusts, Medicaid or Medicare eligibility, or future planning you may contact David Cutner at 212-447-8690.
Committee Co-Chairs: Kathy Kelly – AHRC – 212-780-2724, kathy.kelly@ahrcnyc.org
Kathy Beiser – Esperanza – 212 928-5810, ext. 103, kbeiser@esperanzacenter.net
Minutes Submitted by: Kathy Beiser
NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 9:30am
UCP – NYC, 122 East 23rd St.