Empowering independent futures.
Benefits Navigation is here to guide you and your family. If you’re living with any type of disabling condition, we help you find, apply for, and maximize the public and private benefits and resources that can support your financial stability, independence, and quality of life.
We do more than just point you toward opportunities—we help you secure them.
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Essentials of Transition Planning Series
Transitioning into adulthood is a significant milestone. When individuals with disabilities turn 18, they face the reality of adulthood. We have created a comprehensive video guide for families to help you navigate the transition process and secure the necessary support for your loved ones.
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[Music playing]
Anna Maki >>
So you have a 17 year
old in high school, and you’re concerned
about them turning 18.
What are all the things that you need
to do
to prepare for this,
other than a really nice birthday party?
Well, you want to look
at Social Security benefits,
but we also need to look at services.
So every individual is going to need
income and health insurance.
But they’re also going to need services
depending on if they’re wanting to work
or just services to live independently
in the home and community.
So we want to talk about Social Security
benefits, Medicaid waivers,
other services like vocational
rehabilitation support, pre-employment
training, job readiness, supported
employment, services like that.
We also want to talk about things like
decision making, guardianship,
maybe power of attorney.
What’s going to be
the most appropriate option?
We need to think about the long term.
We need to talk about what happens
when you retire.
We need to to talk about what happens
when you as a parent, when you pass away.
And what are we doing in
terms of a supplemental needs trust
ABLE accounts, things like that.
So there’s a lot to think about
and a lot to do.
But join us for this series
and we’re going to walk through
all of these issues one by one.
[Music Playing]
Funding for this project is provided by:
Develop a roadmap to financial independence.
We work with you as partners to develop a roadmap towards financial stability, purpose and greater independence. We will review eligibility for multiple benefits and resources, including Social Security benefits and Medicaid Waivers. We will also discuss long-term issues like guardianship, ABLE accounts, Supplemental Needs Trusts, and Letters of Intent.
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[Lively music playing]
Alexander >> He is a child that’s very happy. He smiles a lot. He’s a good-natured child. William was born with a very rare genetic abnormality called duplication of chromosome 15, and it’s associated with severe developmental delay, mental retardation, autism, and generalized seizures—and he has all of that.
For someone who’s non-verbal, who has severe needs and needs to be watched constantly, there really just is not much in the way of public school resources that can accommodate him in any meaningful way.
Bobby Dodd was referred to us by Jacob’s Ladder. They mentioned to us, because he was in the public school system age, that Bobby Dodd is able to provide some resources and assistance for some of the needs that he requires.
Anna >> I first met Dr. Park when Will was turning 18. He was ready to apply for Social Security benefits and needed some guidance along that way, and also wanted to do some futures planning to map out what would the future look like.
Alexander >> Anna Maki—I cannot sing high enough praises for her—and she was very helpful and instrumental in allowing Will to get the benefits that he was available for. And even for people who may have college degrees, that process can be very intimidating. They really stepped up and came through at a time when we needed the help.
Also, prepared us as Will became an adult just recently.
Anna >> Dr. Park came back to BDI because Will was ready to age out of the school system. So when you’re looking at futures planning, sure you want to have Social Security benefits, and we did that. We had SSI, we had Medicaid as health insurance, but what about support services?
So the next big thing was to get those services for him. So, we worked together, we developed an advocacy strategy, we did a level of need assessment so that he was able to communicate Will’s needs to the DBHDD, and we were successful in securing NOW/ COMP waiver for Will.
Alexander >> We were on the waiting list for 10 years, but it feels finally good to obtain the waiver. And now we’re just kind of going through the process to, you know, put it in effect.
Anna >> I loved working with Dr. Park and his family. They really are wonderful care providers and models of what excellent parents are. The work that they’ve done on his behalf and their forward thinking for his future. He’s going to have a wonderful future. You know, he’s going to have all that he needs because he has all the benefits, but he has wonderful people in his life that are providing supports and encouragement to him every step of the way.
Alexander >> Thank you, Bobby Dodd, for all the help that you’ve given our family. It’s a wonderful asset to the community. Words don’t describe the positive effect they have on our community.
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How benefits navigation services can help you:
Social Security Benefits
Applying for Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be difficult, but we’re here to help you take control. We begin with a comprehensive review of your medical documentation, ensuring it aligns with the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book criteria. Our strategic approach is designed to meet SSI’s specific requirements, giving you a stronger application from the start. Whether you’re submitting your first application or challenging a denial, we’ll fight for the benefits you deserve.
Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers
We help you navigate complex programs and processes like Medicaid, including Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver. We assist in determining eligibility for and applying for Medicaid Waivers, like NOW COMP, Independent Care Waiver, and Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP).
Our assessments are designed to support your medical determination of disability and improve your chances of success.
Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent provides insight and guidance to those who will support your loved one in the future, because it will clearly articulate your hopes, concerns, wishes and dreams for your loved one.
Our consultants can assist in the development of a thorough Letter of Intent to serve as the foundation of a comprehensive life plan for your loved ones with disabilities.
For all inquiries regarding services, please call 678-365-0071 or send an email to empowers@bobbydodd.org.