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Secure Your Loved One’s Future

As an extension of our holistic wealth services, we offer special needs planning resources to guide those with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical challenges.
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Creating A Plan

What is Special Needs Planning?

If you have a loved one with special needs, you’ve probably heard this term before. But what does it mean? For our clients, we go further than simply managing investments by providing holistic planning, access to special needs resources, and connections to area experts.
A financial plan considers the role that income, expenses, savings, and goals play in achieving the highest and best quality of life for a special needs individual.
Legal structures like Special Needs Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney or even a Guardianship or Conservatorship provide a framework to manage finances and decisions for individuals with special needs, aiming to protect assets, secure benefits, and promote autonomy and dignity.
Government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offer vital financial support for those unable to support themselves, while often unlocking access to healthcare and community programs. Though navigating these benefits can be complex, they provide impactful assistance.
Healthcare expenses can heavily impact a financial plan, but special needs individuals may access additional resources. SSI recipients typically qualify for Medicaid, while SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare after two years. Medicare Supplement policies and Affordable Care Act coverage are also options to be considered in addition to or in lieu of Medicare or Medicaid.
Navigating education programs—from advocacy for Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans to exploring post-secondary opportunities—lays a strong foundation for a bright future for individuals with special needs.
Social change has expanded employment opportunities for individuals with special needs, but navigating resources can be challenging. Public and private programs help families find options for growth and community contribution.
As loved ones with special needs mature, options like semi-independent living or residential communities can offer safe environments to thrive, build skills, and establish roots beyond the family home.
Social connections are vital for the well-being of both special needs individuals and their caregivers, with private and public programs providing essential support to help them reach their full potential.

Planning for Every Stage of Life

Done properly, special needs planning helps you create a roadmap that can adapt to the evolving needs of your loved ones as they grow. At BIP Wealth, our team focuses on holistic plans that account for shifts in needs through time.

Childhood

  • Educational Advocacy
  • College Planning
  • Life Skills
  • Medicaid Eligibility
  • Estate Planning

Teenage Years

  • Educational Advocacy
  • College Planning
  • Life Skills
  • Transition Planning
  • Ongoing Estate Planning

Young Adults

  • Educational Advocacy
  • College Planning
  • Life Skills
  • Transition Planning
  • Vocational Considerations 
  • Residential Considerations
  • Social Security (SSI) Application
  • Medicaid Eligibility
  • Ongoing Estate Planning

Adulthood

  • Life Skills
  • Vocational Considerations 
  • Residential Considerations
  • Social Considerations
  • SSDI/Medicare Transitions
  • Ongoing Estate Planning

Aging Parents

  • Residential Transitions
  • Financial Implications
  • Social Considerations
  • Ongoing Estate Planning
Why BIP

The BIP Wealth Difference

Our special needs planning team helps you create plans that are sustainable to the unique needs of your loved one.
Andy Bunch, CFP, CPA

Andy Bunch CFP®, CFA®, ChSNC®

Personal Wealth Advisor
Sarah Watchko, J.D.

Sarah Watchko, J.D.

Estate Planning Advisor

Personalized Plans

No two special needs plans will look the same. As a result, our team takes the time to understand and address your individual needs.

Dedicated Support

Led by veteran Atlanta Estate and Special Needs Planning Advisor and formerly practicing attorney Sarah Watchko, our team will guide you through securing your loved one’s financial future by exploring strategies and coordinating with private attorneys and resource providers to help execute and implement your plan.

Experienced Guidance

Our team includes advisors who have personal experience with special needs planning within their own families, as well as years of experience helping others navigate the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a special needs trust?

A special needs trust ensures that assets passing to your special needs loved one do not interfere with eligibility for government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. A special needs trust also helps ensure that the assets are managed by the appropriate person and protects them from creditors.

Can I include a special needs trust in my will?

Yes. When creating your will or revocable living trust, you can add a special needs trust within that document. Alternatively, you can create a stand-alone trust. There are pros and cons to each option. Either can help ensure your loved ones receive the support they need after you are no longer here to support them.

How much money is enough for special needs planning?

This will depend on the unique needs and goals of your family. If you are planning for your child to attend a university, for example, it may require more investments during their childhood. Residential care needs and eligibility for government benefits also play an important role.

When should I implement a special needs plan?

It’s best to implement a special needs plan as soon as possible. Planning early ensures your loved one’s financial security, protects their eligibility for government benefits, and allows you to address life changes as they occur.
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