Special Needs
Parents of children with special needs face enough challenges; financial stability doesn’t have to be one of them!
CEO, Scott Zuckerman, ChFC®, CLU®, CFS® is a Chartered Special Needs Consultant, (ChSNC®) Providing adequate resources to cover the needs of two generations is best left to the experience of a Chartered Financial Consultant who has achieved the ChSNC® credentials. Financial professionals who achieve the ChSNC® designation have already completed advanced financial planning designations and an additional 120 hours of course study at the American College. This training allows the ChSNC® professional to offer advice in estate and tax planning concepts, special needs trusts, government programs, (SSI, Medicaid) and the emotional dynamics of working with people with disabilities and their families. In addition, it gives the consultant a clear focus on the special programs tailored to the specific needs of the child.
Just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20 year-olds will become disabled before they retire,[1] and approximately 13% of children have a developmental disability, ranging from mild disabilities such as speech and language impairments to serious developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and autism.[2] There are over 36 million American’s classified as being disabled; about 12% of the total population. More than 50% of those disabled American’s are in their working years, from 18-64.[3]
Scott’s interest in this specialized area of financial planning stems from having a family member with special needs. Watching his family struggle to meet the unique financial demands of a special needs child led him to pursue this course of study. Recognizing that families may not be aware of the resources available to them, Scott has undergone extensive training to address this and to further diversify his firm’s value to his clients and the overall community. So many families don’t have a trusted resource to assist them with many of their needs.
Common questions that special needs families often have are:
- How do I deal with giving or receiving gifts for a child with special needs?
- What government assistance is available on local and federal levels?
- How do I deal with guardianship issues?
- Should I establish a trust?
- What is a letter of intent and should one be created?
- What kind of attorney deals with special needs and do I really need one?
- How do I plan using life insurance and investments?
- What is going to happen to my child when I’m no longer here?
With our ChSNC® credentials, Wexford Financial Strategies continues to develop relationships within the community. Scott Zuckerman, is one of the founders of the largest Special Needs Expo in the tri-state area named, Special Needs Expos.
[1] . SocialSecurity Administsration, Fact Sheet March 18,2011
[2] . http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
[3] . U.S. Census Bureau
Wexford Financial Strategies and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or services. Please consult your legal advisor regarding your specific situation.
