Understanding Government Benefits and Entitlements for my child with special needs

Abilis is hosting a FREE information session - Understanding Government Benefits and Entitlements for my child with special needs on Thursday, October 17, 2019, from 7pm – 9pm.  The info session will be held at our headquarters located at 50 Glenville Street in Greenwich, CT.

Navigating government benefits for special needs financial planning can be intimidating.  Families may be unaware of the full range of options available to individuals with disabilities, or they may be confused about eligibility, assuming that they have too much income to consider means-based programs.

Our information session will provide an overview of government benefits, effects of employment income, and entitlements you should consider in the process of planning a lifetime of support for your loved ones with specials needs. Topics will address the following:

Means Tested Programs

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Plan (SNAP)
• Housing Choice Voucher Program

Non-Means Tested Programs

• Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
• Medicare

This information session is available for parents, caregivers, professionals, guardians, and advocates who are caring for children with special needs.

Open to the public and offered at no cost. Seats are limited and registration is required. Please register your spot.

Abilis Presenters:

Michael Beloff, CFP®, ChSNC®, CAP®, ChFC®, RICP®, Wealth Advisor, Stratos Wealth Management

Kim Trudden, Coordinator of Case Management, Abilis, LMSW

Michael Beloff

Michael has over fifteen years of financial services experience, enabling him to look at the complex issues facing families and small businesses from different perspectives to create strategies and tactics personalized for their specific opportunities, issues, needs, and goals.

In addition to earning the Certified Financial Planner ™ certification, Michael is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) and a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®).

Inspired by his son with Autism, Michael has become a Chartered Special Needs Consultant® with extensive training and continuing education on the complex topics and particular challenges of caring for a dependent with special needs, including the constant changes in federal and state laws. Michael's expertise and ability to educate and empower has made him a noted speaker on the topic of special needs planning at both national and local venues including the National Autism Association, the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress, the Autism Society of America, the US Autism and Asperger Association and COPAA. He has also appeared on CNN and in various publications including Financial Advisor magazine.

Michael is a board member and Treasurer of Abilis, a non-profit organization serving intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in lower Fairfield County, is a board member of SEEK CT and is a member of the First Selectman's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities in Greenwich. 

A graduate of SUNY Albany and Columbia Law School, Michael lives in Greenwich, CT with his wife Deborah and son Ben.

Kim Trudden

Kim graduated from the University of New England with a Masters in Social work.  Kim has been working with Abilis for 10 years.  Recently Kim completed the Community Work Incentives Counselor (CWIC) Training with the Social Security Administration.  As the Director of Case Management, Kim assists with overseeing each individuals IP planning with DDS and will provide Benefits Counseling with Ticket to Work participants.