Finances and Services

Assets

Our assets include:

• checking and savings accounts in both Sharon's and my name at Citizen's First National Bank in Dumont (account number 52-270635-5)
• a 401(k) account with AT&T in my name
• an IRA account in Sharon's name, a retirement account in my name, and college accounts in Elizabeth's, Annette's, and Derek's names (Henry Sussman has details on all these accounts)

Life Insurance

Daniel has no life insurance. He needs no life insurance because has no dependents. It is critically important that Daniel not be the owner of any life insurance that has a cash value (such as whole life), because its cash value is an asset that could make him ineligible for government and AT&T benefits.

We have the following policies on our lives:

• Sharon and I both have Group Life insurance policies through AT&T.
• We have a "second-to-die" insurance policy through Prudential. Mark Franklin of Franklin Insurance Agency of 101 Howell Lane, in Teaneck NJ (201-854-1010) sold us this policy that can be used to fund the Lee Family Trust. Henry Sussman arranged for us to get the policy through Mark.

We have ensured that Daniel is not the beneficiary on any of these policies to retain his eligibility for benefits.

Services and Benefits

Department of Developmental Disabilities

Daniel is eligible to receive reimbursements for certain expenditures from the New Jersey State Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) at 100 Hamilton Plaza, 7th floor, Paterson, NJ 07505 (973-977-4004). The DDD offers services and money to families of disabled members. Eligibility is not based on income and Daniel is already registered with the DDD. Sharon manages our relationship with the DDD, and her file is contained in the file drawer of her desk in the family room.

In March of 2001, Sharon wrote a letter to Clark Kellog (973-967-2199), our DDD case manager, requesting monetary assistance with diapers, summer camp, and retroactive assistance for past years of diapers and camp, which we received.

Each year, new requests can be made for reimbursement for camp. You can call Clark for clarification and procedures. The DDD also offers respite care, and might be especially eager to offer respite care in the event that Sharon and I are deceased and other caregivers are struggling mightily to fill in the gaps. We haven't researched it, but Daniel's orthotics and his Meaningful Movements dance class might be covered as well. The agency may offer other services-it is best to call Clark to ask. Sharon also has a file called "Daniel's bicycle" in her desk drawer. The two parts of the bicycle configuration we want are circled. Sharon has not yet written to the DDD about the possibility of having the bicycle covered monetarily.

After Daniel completes school at age 21, he may be eligible for DDD adult day care programs, if he is unable to work full-time. These programs have long waiting lists, so applying for the right ones is a critical part of Daniel's plan for transition from school to adulthood.

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation

At age 21, Daniel may also be eligible for work preparation and supported work programs sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The employment programs can include training and funding for businesses to support the disabled workers, or may take the form of a sheltered workshop, which is an employment locale designed for people with disabilities. This is an important part of transition planning as Daniel prepares to leave school.

Social Security

Daniel is not eligible for any Social Security benefits at this time. Under current law, he will be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when he turns eighteen.

In order to retain eligibility, Daniel should not have any assets in his name. All assets held on Daniel's behalf should be placed in the Lee Family Trust. If Daniel exceeds the asset limits in effect at the time, he could lose all SSI benefits. In addition, if Daniel is found to have owned excessive assets while receiving government benefits, he could be held liable to repay all of the illegal benefits collected. It is imperative that Daniel have no assets in his name.

At age 18, Daniel becomes eligible for a monthly stipend from SSI. Because Daniel is not capable of managing his money, he needs a representative payee ("rep payee") to be assigned. We think that the guardian should act as the rep payee because SSI requires that all of the money be accounted for, a day-to-day record keeping task best left to someone with constant access to Daniel. All SSI benefits must be spent for Daniel's needs and any excess money must be saved for Daniel's benefit (all of which must be documented and reported). There is a $2,000 limit to the amount of assets Daniel is allowed to have, however, so do not save more than $2,000 or he will lose his benefits.

As long as Daniel is eligible for SSI, he is also eligible for Medicaid, the federal program of health coverage for people under certain income and asset levels. Depending on AT&T's Health Plan at the time, it may be important to have Medicaid coverage as well. It could be that Medicaid would be Daniel's primary coverage with AT&T supplementing what Medicaid does not cover. If Medicaid coverage is important, you should apply for Daniel when he turns 18.

Expenses

Obviously, we cover all of Daniel's expenses at present. When he turns eighteen and begins receiving government benefits, he should have food and rent payments deducted from his check. Daniel's health care is paid for by my AT&T benefits.