The questions have been piling up in Host Annette Hines’ inbox so it is time to do a Q&A session. Making sure the disabled community has access to all the information they need is key to Annette. This is one reason why in addition to being a successful attorney, Annette is a podcast host, speaker, author, and blogger.
As an attorney, Annette does have an ethical responsibility though to not engage in a client /attorney relationship with someone who is not a client. Since each case is vastly different, she is not able to give legal advice on a personal level. These question and answer sessions allow her to give general information on a specific topic. In this episode, Annette discusses Social Security, Transitions, and Supported Decision Making.
First Q & A Topic
The first topic covered is Social Security and how your payments can be impacted by work. Annette discusses SSI and SSDI, and how they are impacted differently by work income. Annette also discusses how you can use supports for work as well as how to possibly avoid getting kicked out of program eligibility. If you are looking for additional information, the Social Security website is a great resource.
Second Q & A Topic
Annette next goes into the topic of transitioning a young person with a disability into their next program. Covid created a huge problem last year when all programs went to a virtual format. Annette discusses how to find and get a sense of a program and how it may work for your child when you are unable to visit the program in person.
Final Q & A Topic
Annette’s final topic of the podcast is Supported Decision Making, which is very timely due to the state of Massachusetts recently reintroducing a statute regarding this. Annette discusses “Dignity of Risk” and how a disabled person may be able to use a Supported Decision-Making agreement to retain his/her legal rights.
For more information on these and other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here.
You can also join our free Facebook community for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!
Listen to the full episode here!
Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.