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Medicaid Recertification
By Joel Krooks, Esq. Prior to March 2020, Medicaid recipients had to recertify for Medicaid every year. However, from March 2020 to March 2023, Medicaid cases were automatically extended because of COVID-19 and the public health emergency. The public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023, and as recently as March 2023, Medicaid has been…
Why Using a Special Needs Attorney is Important
By: Amy C. O’Hara, CELA Special needs attorneys are important because they provide legal assistance and guidance to individuals with disabilities and their families. They have skilled knowledge and experience in disability law, which includes a complex set of federal and state laws, regulations, and court decisions that govern the rights of people with disabilities.…
What Parents Need to Know about the Special Education Process: 5 to 21
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) protects the rights of students with disabilities and requires the appropriate local agencies to identify, evaluate and refer children suspected of having a disability to determine eligibility for services. The IDEA protects students up to age 21 and in some cases, older. Transition to Committee…
LK Honors Mental Health Awareness Month and Sponsors NAMIWalks 2023
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq. May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Littman Krooks is proud to be a Bronze sponsor of NAMIWalks Westchester. The walk will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 9:00 a.m., at Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale, New York, the future site of the Westchester Healing Garden. NAMI is a grassroots organization…
17-A Guardianship and Advance Directives for Young Adult Children
By Joel Krooks, Esq. When a child turns 18 years old, under the law the child becomes a legal adult. This can be a stressful time for parents of children with special needs. Without guardianship in place or advance directives, it may become difficult for parents to continue advocating for their children. Parents with children…
April is Autism Awareness Month
By Jessica Saio, Law Clerk National Autism Awareness Month raises public awareness about autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) during the month of April. One of the many ways support is shown worldwide is through the Light it Up Blue campaign, initiated by the United Nations and nonprofit organization, Autism Speaks. Each year on April 2,…
Special Needs and Elder Law Proposed Legislation of Interest
By: Amy C. O’Hara, CELA I recently attended the Special Needs Alliance meeting. The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national organization comprised of attorneys committed to the practice of disability and public benefits law. This organization is by invitation only of which I have the privilege of serving as President Elect of their Board…
What Parents Need to Know about the Special Education Process for Young Children: Birth to 5
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq. When parents suspect that their child may have a disability, the process can be daunting and filled with many emotions. Some parents learn that their child has a disability at or near birth. Others suspect a disability when their child does not meet early developmental milestones. If you or a…
New Expansion on ABLE Eligibility
By Jessica Saio, Law Clerk This past December, Congress approved the ABLE Age Adjustment Act which expands eligibility for ABLE accounts by increasing the qualifying disability age from 26 to 46. This allows more individuals with disabilities to work and save money without the risk of losing government benefits. What is an ABLE Account? ABLE…
Estate Planning for the Special Needs Family
By Amy C. O’Hara, CELA Estate planning is important for every family for several reasons, however, it becomes critical if you have a child with a disability. In creating a well thought out estate plan you can ensure your child is protected both financially and personally. Part of your plan will include designating a guardian…