You want the best for your child's/ dependents lifetime care, but sometimes sufficient financial resources to meet those needs may not be available. The death of one or both parents or other caretaker can easily disrupt the continuation of your child's financial safety net.

Figuring out what your dependent is likely to need is tricky. Ask yourself: What type of life do you envision for the individual with special needs? How much money will he/she need for quality lifetime care?

Start answering the question by estimating your child's current monthly expenses (whether the costs are paid by you, private insurance, etc.). Annualize these costs. Then, assuming a modest interest rate, determine the lump sum amount you will need to produce that much income on an annual basis without depleting principal. Of course, this does not take inflation or other factors into consideration.

If you are just beginning to accumulate assets to fund a special needs trust, there are a variety of funding options. Discuss these options and which ones might be best for you with an insurance agent, financial planner or other financial professional who specializes in special needs trusts.

A special needs trust can contain personal property, such as artwork. Keep in mind, these assets may not be readily converted into cash. A value of a home also is susceptible to market fluctuation. Moreover, you may want the family home to stay in the family and not have to be sold to provide necessary care.

Investments, like mutual funds and stock, are another funding option. These types of options, however, do not generally provide a guaranteed amount of income due to market fluctuation and other factors. Retirement plans may offer another option. You may be able to name the trust as beneficiary for any death benefit provided by the plan.

Many special needs trusts are funded, at least in part, with some type of life insurance. Life insurance provides an alternative that can create an asset. Insurance proceeds are generally paid free of income tax and, as long as the estate is not named as beneficiary, usually outside probate. It also can be free of federal estate tax when properly structured, and it allows you to provide the cash needed to provide for your child with special needs, while keeping the rest of your estate intact for your other family members.

Here are descriptions of the basic types of life insurance.

Term life insurance offers protection that insures your family for a specified period of time-usually anywhere from one to 20 years. A term policy pays a benefit if you die during the period covered by the policy. If you stop paying premiums, the insurance stops. These policies do not build a cash value.

Whole life insurance or permanent insurance provides protection, as well as a cash value. Additionally, many companies pay policyholders an annual dividend. Dividends provide both flexibility and increased value to your life insurance policy. They can add more coverage to your overall insurance benefits and can build a sizable cash value. They are not, however, guaranteed. Of course, life insurance should not be purchased solely for accumulation. Its primary purpose is protection.

Universal life insurance is flexible. These policies are interest-sensitive and permit the owner to adjust the death benefit and/or premium payments, within limits, to fit the individual's situation. Your premiums are credited to an accumulation fund, from which costs are deducted and to which interest is then credited. As with whole life insurance, the cash value is yours. You may withdraw it or borrow against it at any time. Read your policy carefully to understand how loans and withdrawals affect the death benefit.

Variable life insurance is for those who want to tie the cash value of their life insurance policy to the performance of the financial markets. You decide among several investment options how your net premiums are to be invested. While monies invested in the investment options have potential for growth, such funds are subject to market risks including the loss of principal. In other words, some may make or lose money depending upon the performance of the market and the investment options you select.

Survivorship life insurance is a joint insurance policy taken out on the lives of two people that provides death benefits on the second death when the money is needed the most. Since the policy premium pays one death benefit, the premium can be substantially less than separate stand-alone policies. There are many types of survivorship life insurance policies. Check with your attorney and insurance agent to determine the policy that will best meet your needs.

Your individual needs and the needs of your child will help determine which type is best for you. Insurance policies often contain limitations, exclusions, reductions of benefits and terms for keeping them in force. Be sure to ask for full details regarding the policy and its costs.

Raising a child is expensive. Raising a child with disabilities is even more expensive. The unique supplies, equipment, treatments and procedures such a child needs can strain even families with significant personal assets. Fortunately, financial relief may be available. State and federal government programs, community resources, Social Security benefits, private foundations, medical insurance and special education resources provide aid. Consult city, county, state and federal agencies for help in answering financial aid questions.

Generally, government benefits are paid to a disabled dependent child, based on family income. But once a child turns 18, these benefits are awarded based on the child's own assets and income (even if the child is still living at home with the parents).

The most important public benefit programs are Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Medicaid is a state-administered, federally reimbursed program that pays for needed medical care for eligible persons. An applicant's medical diagnosis, finances and age are used in determining eligibility. To apply for benefits, contact your local Medicaid office or the state health department.

SSI is a federal program that provides income from the federal government to certain individuals with disabilities. Cash benefits are paid each month, up to the "Federal Benefit Rate." To apply for SSI, contact your local Social Security Administration office.

Eligibility for both of these programs is based on need, as well as disability. A person is not qualified to receive SSI if he or she has "countable resources" in excess of $2,000 or "countable income" in excess of the Federal Benefit Rate. Keep in mind that gifts or inheritance are "countable resources" and may reduce payments received or cause the child to lose SSI benefits for up to three years. Also, assets in a special needs trust may be claimed by Medicaid upon the death of the beneficiary if Medicaid paid benefits while the trust was in effect. Medicaid laws and the laws pertaining to special needs trusts vary from state to state. Contact your local Social Security Administration office for additional information.

Specialized medical treatment may be needed for individual with special needs, sometimes beginning in a neo-natal intensive care unit. Other times the need for such treatments arise much later as you or your pediatrician begin to notice developments that give rise to questions.

You need to take precautions to ensure that you make the most of your medical insurance coverage. Otherwise, you could be left holding the bill-or a large part of it.

Obtaining medical insurance authorization for specialized services and products, such as therapy or medical equipment, can be complicated. The following are tips to better manage your medical insurance and get much needed benefits paid:

"        Read your policy! If you have any questions about coverage, call your insurer and ask them to clarify exactly what is covered, under what conditions and at what rate. For example, traditional therapy services often do not take into account the specific needs of infants and children requiring therapeutic intervention. There also may be limits on therapy services.

"        Create a one-page summary of your policy provisions as well as one for limitations and exclusions. This summary can be given to the treating physician or therapist who will either be writing a report or speaking to an insurance company representative on your child's behalf.

"        Check the list of participating providers if you are part of a Preferred Provider Plan or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). You may be limited to using only providers within the network. Make sure there are professionals qualified to serve children and or adults with special needs. You may have the option of using out-of-network providers, but be required to pay more out of pocket. The out-of-network option may be useful if your child requires non-participating medical specialists such as pediatric therapists or neurosurgeons.

"        Speak with the same case manager or claims supervisor, if possible. When you call your insurance company, ask for the name and phone number of the representative and try to speak with that person every time. He or she may become familiar with the needs of your child and you will not have to repeat your child's story.

"        Request a case manager be assigned to you if your child has ongoing medical or therapy services. Working with the same people can provide continuity of services.

"        Include a photograph of your child when you submit a claim or begin your relationship with a case manager. Photos can personalize a case file, which might earn "special treatment" when trying to resolve problems that might arise.

"        Obtain prior authorization for therapy, prescriptions or equipment from your insurer. Call your case manager and ask if there is any procedure regarding prior authorization. Your insurer may require a letter of medical necessity, or the written prescription from your primary care physician.

"        Stay on top of your child's case. Document everything, from phone calls to faxes, and include dates. Send all correspondence by certified mail so you have a return receipt for documents you send. Call the insurer if you don't get a timely acknowledgment of your correspondence. Keep copies of everything.

"        Obtain a claim denial in writing. It should include the specific reason for denial. Insurance companies are legally obligated to provide this. Question denials, and if you believe the claim is valid, appeal the denial and resubmit the claim.

Making the most of your medical insurance can be time consuming and sometimes exasperating. However, being the parent of a child with special needs also means being his or her advocate. By being organized and proactive, you can give your child the best possible quality of life.

As a special needs parent, you can take steps to make sure your child gets the best education possible. To do so requires becoming an active advocate and participant in your child's educational plan. The first step is knowing the special education laws and what they provide.

Early intervention provides support for infants and young children who have disabilities or developmental delays. Early intervention services include but are not limited to identification and screening, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and physiotherapy. The services are provided for the purpose of lessening the effects of the conditions and enhancing the child's development. Early intervention can have significant impact on the child and the family by reducing the number of special services needed, reducing stress and frustration, and possibly making the child indistinguishable from mainstream classmates.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which amended the Education For All Handicapped Children Act, requires that children with disabilities receive:

1.        Free appropriate public education (for children ages 3-21).

2.        Education as close to home as possible with children who do not have disabilities.

3.        Supplemental services (such as speech therapy or a classroom aide) to complete their education.

4.        An assessment to determine the child's needs.

In order to assure that your child gets the best possible education, this law includes two protections: Individualized Education Program and Due Process.

An IEP is a written statement about your child's abilities and impairments required under the IDEA. It's developed by you, school district personnel and educational professionals who have evaluated your child's abilities. In some cases, the school nurse or primary health care provider should be included. The IEP must be revised at least annually for all children with disabilities.

Due process generally requires that no changes are made in a child's IEP without certain procedural protections. The scope of this is not absolute but due process provides a mechanism for resolution of disagreements.

Before entering an IEP meeting, parents should understand what their overall rights and responsibilities are:

You have the right to information about your child and the child's educational program. You have the responsibility for seeking and maintaining this information.

You have the right to review your child's records. You have the responsibility for asking questions when you do not understand terms in reports.

You have the right to be full partners in your child's educational program. You have the responsibility for becoming and remaining active members of the team.

You have the right to make suggestions or recommendations about your child's program or services. You have the responsibility for doing so.

You have the right to a vision for your child's future. You have the responsibility for helping your child achieve it.

Planning for your child is a daunting task. To do it right, you might be wise to turn to experts for help.

An attorney who specializes in estate planning for families with a child with special needs can help you establish a special needs trust. Insurance agents, financial planners, and other financial professionals who specialize in needs planning, guidance counselors and parents of other children with special needs also are good resources. In addition, there are countless organizations that offer different types of assistance. A sampling is shown on the reference section. Information on others can be found on the Internet or at the library.

It is important that you take the time today to provide for your child's tomorrow. You want to make sure that the ongoing care and needs of your child will be addressed no matter when you die.