This guest post is from Benjamin Rubin.

When parents of a child with special needs get divorced there are many additional complications beyond a traditional divorce involving children. First and foremost, child support must be very carefully considered to ensure that there is no loss of benefits. Child support payments that are required to be paid by a parent in accordance with Illinois state law by Court order, may result in a reduction or the complete elimination of a child’s SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefit as well as the child’s Medicaid, which provides the child’s medical coverage, therapy, employment support, and home or residential support services (such as group homes) needed for the appropriate support for that child with special needs, and the custodial parent. For a child age 18 or older one hundred percent (100%) minus $20.00 of the child support payments ordered by Court, count as a reduction against SSI.

Government benefits can be protected, however, if the court order directs that child support payments are to be made to a “special version” of a Special Needs Trust for the sole benefit of that child, known as a self-settled special needs trust (also known as a 1st party, “pay-back,” OBRA, d4A, or d4C special needs trust). It’s important to note that this is different than the type of special needs trust most commonly established by parents for gifts and inheritances which is often called a 3^rd party special needs trust.

Support payments to a 1^st party special needs trust do not displace SSI, nor jeopardize Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver programs (such as group homes and day programs), greatly benefitting both parents and the child. It should be noted that for smaller child support payments (if total child support ordered is currently less than $14,000 per year) an ABLE account may be used. For more information about ABLE accounts please see ABLE article.

Again, for a child age 18 or older, one hundred percent (100%) minus $20.00 of the child support payment counts as a reduction against SSI; unless the court order provides that such support be paid irrevocably to an appropriate special needs trust or to an ABLE account in some cases (see above).

There are other considerations that have particular importance in the context of a child with special needs which should be discussed. First, health insurance coverage can be crucial. In Illinois it can be maintained by the parents of a child with special needs, in most cases, until the parents retire. Second, life insurance proceeds may be ordered by the court to be paid to a special needs trust, however, under current POMS (Social Security’s rules) and Medicaid regulations it does not need to go to a 1^st party special needs trust as is the case with child support. It is highly recommended that a special needs planning attorney be consulted on all of these matters.

NSPT offers services in Bucktown, Evanston, Deerfield, Lincolnwood, Glenview, Lake Bluff, Des Plaines, Hinsdale and Mequon. If you have questions or concerns about your child, we would love to help! Give us a call at (877) 486-4140 and speak to one of our Family Child Advocates!

Benjamin (Benji) Rubin’s older brother Mitchell has Autism and lives in a Clearbrook CILA. Benji graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law, Magna Cum Laude, received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, and currently is pursuing his Graduate Law Degree, an LLM (Tax), at Northwestern University. Benji, a partner in the law firm, joined the practice in 2010. Benji is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, a member of the Special Needs Alliance, is Vice Chairman of the American Bar Association Special Needs Planning Committee, serves as the President of SIBS (Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters), the Illinois chapter of the national Sibling Leadership Network, is a member of the Board of Directors of The Arc of Illinois, is a member of the Clearbrook Associate Board, and serves on the Advisory Council of Encompass(Encompass in partnership with Jewish Child & Family Services, Jewish United Fund, JVS Chicago, JCC Chicago, Keshet, and The Center for Enriched Living and Center for Independent Futures, seeks to provide adults with I/DD a full array of financially sustainable, community-based services and supports), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County) Foundation. Benji is also a Faculty Member for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). Having Mitchell as a brother profoundly shaped who Benji is today, and thus the type of law he chose to practice. His personal experiences as a sibling offer a unique perspective into the responsibilities that come with caring for a sibling with special needs. Now, as an adult, those sometimes present and future responsibilities he will have regarding his brother’s care are a concern that he shares with all brothers and sisters of individuals with special needs.