Introduction If you get a settlement after an injury, you might wonder: do I have to report my settlement to Medicaid?...
Government Benefits Planning Resources
The Difference Between SSDI and SSI (and Why It Matters)
Introduction Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are government...
Who Qualifies for a Special Needs Trust?
Introduction Personal injury attorneys frequently call our office and ask who qualifies for a special needs trust....
An Outsourced Solution to Government Benefits Planning
Introduction Common questions we get from clients include: "Will I lose my Medicaid if I get a settlement?" and "Can...
How Does a Settlement Impact a Client’s Medicare Benefits?
Introduction Attorneys often ask us how a settlement check can impact a client's Medicare benefits. Medicare is an entitlement for people who are 65 years old or for people who have been deemed disabled. The latter group will receive Medicare benefits 2 years after the date they start receiving Social Security Disability Insurance. Since Medicare...
Medicaid: When a Settlement May Jeopardize Ongoing Eligibility
Introduction If you get a settlement after an injury, you might wonder: do I have to report my settlement to Medicaid? This is an important question. Your answer can affect your benefits and your future bills. This article explains the basics in simple terms. It covers personal injury settlement Medicaid rules, workers' comp settlement Medicaid...
The Difference Between SSDI and SSI (and Why It Matters)
Introduction Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are government benefits for clients with disabilities. However, clients may not know which one of the two they are receiving since the check they receive each month doesn’t specifically list which program the funds are from. Clients generally just know...
Who Qualifies for a Special Needs Trust?
Introduction Personal injury attorneys frequently call our office and ask who qualifies for a special needs trust. There are 3 requirements for an individual to be eligible for a special needs trust: The client must be 64 years old or younger. The client must be deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration. The client should be...
An Outsourced Solution to Government Benefits Planning
Introduction Common questions we get from clients include: "Will I lose my Medicaid if I get a settlement?" and "Can SSI find out about a settlement?" To address these, our firm has created a tool specifically for plaintiff attorneys and their settling clients to help determine if any special planning is needed in order for the clients to...
Can a Client Own a Home and Still Receive Medicaid / SSI?
A common question that we get from settlement clients and their attorneys is, “Can a client own a home and still receive Medicaid and SSI? And can a special needs trust own a home, or does the client have to own the home in his or her name?” The answer is generally, yes — a client can own a home and be eligible for Medicaid and SSI because a home...
If Your Client Receives SSI, Plan Ahead in Case of Settlement
Supplemental Security Income or SSI is a needs-based government benefit that many personal injury clients receive from the government. It is a safety net program that the federal government established to protect those in serious financial need. It is available in every state for clients that meet specific income guidelines and asset...
What Are a Plaintiff Attorney’s Obligations to Medicare When Settling a Case?
Introduction As a plaintiff attorney, it is important to understand your obligations to Medicare when settling a personal injury case. There are two parts to consider in Medicare's interests: the Medicare conditional lien and Medicare's future interest. First is the Medicare conditional lien, which is Medicare's right of recovery from the date of...
Will Receiving a Settlement Impact SSDI?
One question we often receive from personal injury plaintiff attorneys is: “Will receiving a settlement impact SSDI or SSI benefits?” This is a critical issue in settlement planning, because the consequences depend entirely on which Social Security program your client is enrolled in. Before dispersing any settlement funds, you must confirm...
Improve Your Case Intake Form for Smoother Settlements
Injury victims are increasingly relying on government programs like Medicaid, SSI, and Housing Benefits in order to make ends meet and get the medical care that they need. Clients often fail to inform their attorneys about the government benefits that they are receiving until after the case has settled, or during mediation negotiations. ...
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Our goal at Amicus Settlement Planners is to be the premier, comprehensive resource for plaintiffs and plaintiff attorneys nationwide for all of the financial and legal issues that arise at the time of settlement.
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