Special Needs Law Group Blog
New CDC Materials Teach COVID-19 Safety Protocols to People with IDD
Communication is one of the most important tools for containing the spread of COVID-19. As the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to spread, reliable information about the disease and how to protect oneself and one’s community from infection are critically...
Senate Hearing on SSI Program That Traps Millions in Poverty
At a September 21 hearing on “Policy Options for Improving SSI,” a Senate subcommittee heard sometimes searing testimony that the Supplemental Security Insurance, SSI program is in desperate need of updating. SSI Program Traps Disabled People Into Poverty “While the...
The Perils and Pitfalls of Do-It-Yourself Special Needs Planning
Among the costs of caring for a dependent with special needs are the fees for professional advice. Some families are tempted to save on these costs by doing special needs planning on their own. This can be attractive because so much information is available online,...
Court Overturns FDA Ban on School’s Use of Electric Shock Devices
A federal appeals court has overturned a ban by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the use of electric shock devices (GED) used to moderate the behavior of people with disabilities. The 2-1 decision this summer by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit...
COVID Relief Payments Now Won’t Affect SSI Benefits or Eligibility At All
COVID relief payments will no longer affect an individual’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the benefit amount, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced. The assistance includes a long list of COVID relief payments, ranging from...
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