Public Law 113–295, also known as The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act), was enacted December 19, 2014. The ABLE Act provides individuals with special needs and disabilities to save money for disability related expenses in tax-free savings accounts while preserving their needs-based government benefits. Modeled on 529 college savings plans, ABLE.. read more →
In September 2015, Y.M. was declared an incapacitated person, and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) was appointed as Y.M.’s guardian. Y.M. was a resident of Hudson View nursing home. The month after its appointment as guardian, OPG filed a Medicaid application on behalf of Y.M. After the application was denied, Hudson View filed.. read more →
On January 7, 2016, R.P.’s stepdaughter applied for Medicaid on R.P.’s behalf. At the time, the case worker asked the stepdaughter to supply certain additional information. However, the stepdaughter testified that the caseworker did not give her a written notice requesting information. According to Medicaid, it then sent a February 22, 106 letter to the.. read more →
After suffering a stroke and spending a period of time in a rehabilitation facility, A.K. was discharged to her home, where she spent the following two years prior to moving to a long-term care facility. Her daughter lived with her for the two-year period. A.K. attended a therapeutic day care program. The daughter worked outside.. read more →
My law office presents this Peace of Mind Checklist as a tool readers can use to organize their thoughts about and plans for the future, and to identify the vital estate documents readers need to reach their goals. The law office staff encourages you to share this checklist with others and discuss it with your close.. read more →
For additional information concerning NJ elder law and special needs planning visit: NJ Elder Law and Estate Planning Services read more →
Elder Law, Estate/Trust Planning and Special Needs Law Firm REVEALED In New YouTube Video … All In 34 Seconds
New YouTube Video about the Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli The Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli is committed to protecting the legal rights and financial resources of seniors, the disabled and their families, and families in conflict. We provide legal services in the areas of elder law, estate planning, trust administration, special.. read more →
R.S. transferred her one-third interest in a house she owned jointly with her daughter and son-in-law to her daughter. Less than five years later, R.S. applied for Medicaid, and asserted that the transfer was exempt under Medicaid’s “caregiver child” exception to the rules prohibiting any transfers of assets within five years of the Medicaid application.. read more →
The video posted above informs viewers of the legal issues facing seniors, and the importance of seeking assistance with these issues from a Certified Elder Law Attorney. The video also describes the role of the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) in the certification process. The video that will be aired nationally on PBS affiliates. NELF, a.. read more →
Between April 2, 2018 and April 11, 2018, the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, issued six separate opinions involving Medicaid. While this is unusual, what is even more striking is that all six cases involve the same appellate court panel, and the same attorney representing each of the appellants. In these cases, the law.. read more →
After J.C. was admitted to a nursing facility, her son, S.C., submitted an application to the Camden County Board of Social Services for Medicaid benefits on her behalf. The county welfare board notified J.C. that she was eligible for long-term care benefits but her transfer of assets for less than full market value during the.. read more →
A.S.’s nephew and power of attorney designated Senior Planning Services (“SPS”) as A.S.’s authorized representative for establishing Medicaid eligibility. In SPS filed a Medicaid application, which was denied for excess resources on December 10, 2012. After SPS filed a request for a fair hearing but before the fair hearing was scheduled, A.S. died, and SPS.. read more →
There were three Medicaid applications filed on behalf of E.M. The first was filed in 2012 by his daughter, after his admission to a subacute care center. At the time, E.M. was suffering from dementia and was on a ventilator and feeding tube. This Medicaid application was denied for failure to provide documents to Medicaid,.. read more →
D.G. was declared legally incapacitated, and her son was appointed as her guardian. Her son designated an attorney from the firm of Peluso, Castelluci & Weintraub as D.G.’s representative for purposes of a Medicaid application. The attorney filed a Medicaid application in April 2013. In July 2013, D.G.’s son (her guardian) died unexpectedly. D.G.’s daughter.. read more →
After A.S. entered a nursing home, her son T.S. applied for Medicaid benefits on her behalf, listing A.S.’s sister’s address on the application. In June 2013, because the necessary financial information was not provided, Medicaid notified T.S. that the application was dismissed, and that T.S. had a right to request a fair hearing. However, T.S… read more →
On February 1, 2016, a Medicaid application was filed on behalf of W.S. by Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare as his authorized representative. On June 21, 2016, the application was denied for failure to provide information necessary to make an eligibility determination. The information outstanding consisted of bank statements from an ING Direct account… read more →
Our law firm has created a number of Legal Guides for our clients and website guests to provide a better understanding of important and often complex legal subjects. The Legal Guides are offered free of charge. One of the Legal Guides available to the public discusses The Basic Rules of Medicaid Eligibility. For practical purposes, in.. read more →
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act allows people with disabilities who became disabled before they turned 26 to set aside up to $15,000 per year in tax-free savings accounts without affecting his or her eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This money can come from the disabled individual.. read more →
Because K.K. was a legal permanent resident (LPR) of the United States before August 22, 1996, the Superior Court, Appellate Division, reversed a Medical denial based on the agency’s error in finding that the applicant “had not been a permanent resident for five years or more.” K.K. v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services,.. read more →
Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published Transmittal No. 74, revising Part 05 of SSA’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS) covering Resource Exclusions in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program pertaining to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Accounts. In the introduction to the new ABLE POMS, SSA said: Background This transmittal includes the current published guidance.. read more →
For additional information concerning special needs trusts and disability planning, visit: NJ Special Needs Trusts and Disability Planning read more →
Join us, at our Law Office at 242 St. Paul Street, Westfield, NJ Free Seminar on Paying for Long-Term Care Friday, April 20th, at two (2) convenient times: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., or 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Many factors — illness, incapacity and the need for long-term care — can leave a family’s finances in disarray. Fortunately,.. read more →
Our law firm has created a number of Legal Guides for our clients and website guests to provide a better understanding of important and oftentimes complex legal subjects. The Legal Guides are offered free of charge. One of the Legal Guides available to the public discusses Special Needs Trusts and Special Needs Planning. Parents of children.. read more →
Upcoming Presentation on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts for Community Access Unlimited
Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. (http://VanarelliLaw.com/) will provide an overview of the use of Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) by disabled persons so as to prevent an applicant’s financial assets and income from impacting eligibility for needs-based public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Section 8 Housing and.. read more →
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