June 2024

Dads, We Celebrate You.

Last month, I wrote about the constant thread of isolation that mothers of special needs kids feel. While I wrote the essay to mothers in honor of Mother’s Day, it was equally directed to fathers in a parenthetical way. I often wonder if the journey for fathers might be a bit more lonely and isolating than for us moms. Let me explain.

While the support resources for special needs parents are limited overall, resources for moms far outnumber those specifically for fathers. Why is this? My best guess is that it’s a numbers game - in general, women have more robust social networks than men do, make friends more easily, and overall have more opportunities for connection than men do...

Mark Your Calendars!

The Options Fair 2024

@ GLENBARD NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

5:30pm-8:00pm

The Options Fair offers students with an IEP or 504 Plan and their families an opportunity to meet with colleges/universities, college experience programs, trade schools, and agencies that can provide services after high school.

Please see the website for more information: https://optionsfair.org/

BEST (Business and Education for Students in Transition) Fair

@ NILES NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, SKOKIE

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

7:00pm-8:30pm

This in-person resource fair is for students with special needs, their parents/guardians, and professionals.

Please see the flyer for more information.

Go To Our Events Page

Learning Library

How Are Benefits for SSDI Calculated?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal public assistance program that seeks to support people with disabilities. When applying for SSDI, many people want to know upfront how much they will be eligible to receive in benefits each month. An individual on a fixed income who can’t work because of a disability needs this information to ensure they will have sufficient income.

Independent Living Options for People With Disabilities

People with disabilities, regardless of age, often face barriers to living on their own. However, a variety of community-based independent living options options present an alternative to long-term care facilities, helping individuals with disabilities maintain autonomy.

Social Security Overpayment Rules Changing Under New Leader

With a new commissioner at the helm, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been announcing several policy changes in recent weeks. For example, one such shift in policy includes a decision to remove food from countable income for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

In late March 2024, the SSA also issued news regarding the way it handles social security overpayment rules to Social Security recipients.

Spotlight on Alysse Dahlgren

Whether you love or hate cicadas, we know you will agree that this sketch by our friend Alysse is a stunning rendering of these extraordinary creatures.

Thank you Alysse for this beautiful gift of your time and talent!

What Our Clients Are Saying...

“So thankful to Clancy & Associates for working with us to prepare a Special Needs Trust for our son. I had been dreading this process and the expertise and information Katie provided made it a thousand times easier than I expected. I feel that partnering with this firm is one of the best decisions we have made for our family.” -S.R.