Protect Your Child’s Benefits Without Losing Sleep
Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts Explained — State by State, By a Parent Who’s Been There
I know why you’re here. Maybe you just learned your child qualifies for SSI or Medicaid. Maybe a grandparent wants to leave an inheritance. Maybe you’re terrified of making a mistake that costs your child everything.
You’re in the right place. After 15+ years navigating this system with my own child, I built this site to give you the answers I wish I’d had — clear, state-specific guidance without the $400/hour attorney fees (though I’ll help you find a good one when you need it).
🗺️ Find Your State’s Rules
Every state has different rules for Special Needs Trusts and ABLE accounts. Select your state below for specific guidance:
Or scroll down to browse all states in the footer
The Basics: What You Need to Know Today
💰 ABLE Account
Best for: Day-to-day expenses
2026 Limit: $19,000/year
Setup: Free, 15 minutes
Good for: Therapy, equipment, activities
📜 Special Needs Trust
Best for: Large assets
Limit: None
Setup: $2,000-$5,000 (attorney)
Good for: Inheritance, lawsuits, gifts
💡 Pro tip: Most families need BOTH. Use ABLE for quick access to $19K/year. Use an SNT for everything else. See the complete comparison →
Why Trust This Site?
I’m not a lawyer selling you services. I’m a parent who spent years learning these rules the hard way — including the mistakes. This site exists because I want your journey to be easier than mine.
Start Here
- Find your state above — get specific rules and tools
- Read ABLE vs SNT guide — understand your options
- Download free checklists — prepare for next steps
All information verified February 2026. I update this site quarterly as rules change.
Free Special Needs Planning Guides
Beyond state-specific rules, these comprehensive guides cover every aspect of protecting your child’s future. Written by a special needs parent, updated for 2026.
| Special Needs Trusts: The Complete Guide Everything you need to know — trust types, setup, costs, trustee selection, common mistakes, and how trusts protect SSI and Medicaid. |
| ABLE Accounts Explained Eligibility (including the 2026 age expansion to 46), contribution limits, qualified expenses, state programs, and how ABLE works alongside trusts. |
| Government Benefits: SSI, SSDI & Medicaid How each program works, coordination with trusts and ABLE accounts, work incentives, and navigating the age 18 transition. |
| Funding Strategies Life insurance, gifts, settlements, retirement accounts, estate integration — practical ways to fund your plan at any budget. |
| Letter of Intent The most important document most families skip. Section-by-section guide to capturing everything only you know about your child. |
| Life Planning: Guardianship, Housing & Transition Guardianship options and alternatives, housing choices, the age 18 cliff, employment, and building a life plan. |
| Parent Journeys Real questions and experiences from families like yours. The fears, the joys, and how planning tools connect to daily life. |