Updates on OPWDD Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Upstate Forum
By Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate, Littman Krooks LLP On February 13, 2018, the OPWDD Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board (“the Board”) held an Upstate Forum, which included the Hudson Valley via video-conference. The Board held a second forum in Manhattan on February 22, which included Long Island and Queens via video-conference. In November of…
Updates to New IDEA Website
by Arshi Pal, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Beginning April 30, 2018, the United States Department of Education has announced that the original “Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004“ website from 2004 will no longer be active. However, parents should not panic. Instead, any individual who visits the website will be redirected to the new Individuals with…
The Significance of the Pooled Trust Notification Law
By Erica M. Fitzgerald, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP On December 18, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the “Pooled Trust Notification Bill” into law. This law, which is set to take effect on June 18, 2018, requires plain language notification to Medicaid applicants and recipients of the availability of pooled trusts as a means of maintaining…
Building Resilience in Youth after Recent Storms and Other Adverse Events
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Many of us still lack power and heat after the storm and many schools are still not open. In addition, students and school staff are facing continued fear and anxiety after the Parkland, Florida shooting. For youth with disabilities, the changes in routines and the increased stress…
Letter to Our Clients Regarding Recent Tax Act
By Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP President Trump signed tax reform legislation, Public Law 115-97, generally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, into law on December 22, 2017. The Act is the most sweeping tax legislation to be enacted in decades. It is broad in scope, complicated, and will impact…
Update on Endrew F.
By Arshi Pal. Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Almost a year ago, in a seminal ruling, on March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States held that school districts must provide an education “reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child’s circumstances.” The Court was clear that…
Understand Basics of New FINRA Rules to Prevent Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Loved Ones
By Stacy Sadove, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP In a positive development for seniors and individuals with disabilities, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has just approved the adoption of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 2165 (Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults). Rule 2165 allows broker-dealers to place a temporary hold on disbursements…
Effects of the New Tax Law on Estate Planning
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017. The new law will have significant effects on estate planning. One major impact of the new law is on the gift and estate tax exemption. Previously, the exemption shielded the first $5 million in gifts during life…
New York State Commits $58.9 Million to Certified Housing Opportunities for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
By Arshi Pal, Esq., and Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate On December 18, 2017, New York State Governor, Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the State has awarded $58.9 million to 53 partner agencies, to create 83 certified residences for 459 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in the first phase of a multi-year initiative. New…
How to Qualify for Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid are different programs. Medicare provides health insurance for people age 65 and over, and Medicaid covers care for certain low-income individuals. However, it is possible to qualify for both programs at the same time, which is known as “dual eligibility.” There are about 11 million people who are dual eligible, including many…
