| Elder Law Institute IX
Public Benefits in a Time of Diminishing Government Resources
Sponsored with the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Please Note: This course has already
been held.
Date: Friday, March 21, 2003
Location: Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA
Time: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Schedule/Agenda
Registration Information
Unable to attend but are interested in the course materials?
Purchase Here! |
|
Course Materials for Download
Emily_Starr_Slides.pdf
Community-based services are an important aspect of elder law practice, and yet we often under-utilize them in advice to our clients due to lack of knowledge of coverage, eligibility, and accessibility. Elder Law Institute IX provides in-depth analysis of the many community programs covering medical services, income programs, and residences with varying levels of care. You will learn about the unique qualification requirements of community programs and whether your clients can be eligible for housing programs. You will also hear about how self-settled and third party trusts have differing effects on community programs such as Supplemental Security Income and MassHealth eligibility, including the ways that the trusts are created and funded and the manner in which distributions are made on behalf of the recipient.
As an additional benefit, the Institute provides a live forum to discuss recent changes in federal and state estate tax law that have raised many questions and uncertainties regarding traditional forms of tax and benefit program planning. You will find out how to apply the changes to your practice in an interactive format that will explore the current listserve issues in a facilitated discussion. You will also be able to tap the collective wisdom of the panel and the other experienced attendees to grapple with tax issues involving use of life estates and drafting and redrafting your traditional trusts. This annual Institute is known for its in-depth treatment of topics that are critical to your practice. Don’t miss this opportunity to increase your knowledge base and test your understanding of new developments.
Attend and Learn:
- How community MassHealth eligibility can be changed to long term care coverage
- Tricks of the trade in calculating the new CSRA limits
- Step by step procedures to become eligible for community MassHealth spousal waivers
- How trust distributions affect SSI recipients
- How anyone who is disabled can become eligible for CommonHealth regardless of income and resources
- What veterans’ benefits are available from both state and federal programs and how to become eligible for each program
- What future MassHealth changes can be expected
- What you have to do to incorporate the changes in your estate tax-related trusts
| S C H E D U L E / A G E N D A |
| 9:00 |
Welcome & Introduction |
Harriet Onello, Chair, President, Massachusetts Chapter NAELA
Neal A. Winston, Moderator, Moschella & Winston, LLP, Somerville
|
| 9:10 |
Community Program Overview |
MassHealth - Eligibility, differences with long term care coverage, transition to long term care, waivers and services
Emily S. Starr, Esq., Ciota Starr & VanderLinden LLP, Worcester
Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC) - Eligibility, relationship to SSI, service providers, services covered
Paula A. Smith, Esq., Lian Zarrow Eynon & Shea, Worcester
CommonHealth - Eligibility including age groups, deductible, work, premiums, services covered, and relationship to MassHealth
Barbara D. Jackins, Esq., Belmont
Section 8 Housing - Eligibility, income counting, asset limitations, asset gifting, waiting lists and applications
John J. Ford, Esq., Neighborhood Legal Services, Lynn
|
| 11:00 |
Social Security, SSI, and Trusts |
| Eligibility and differences between the insurance and needs-based programs, relationship to Medicare and Medicaid, state variations, SSI and Special Needs Trusts, and Trust Distribution Management for SSI and Medicaid recipients
Linda L. Landry, Esq., Greater Boston Legal Services, Boston & Ken W. Shulman, Esq., Boston
|
| 12:45 |
Lunch (on your own) |
| |
| 1:45 |
Veterans' Benefits |
| Variety of programs offered, eligibility for each, differences between federal and state programs, services offered for each, where to get advocacy help
Mary Ellen McCarthy, Democratic Staff Director, Subcommittee on Benefits, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington D.C.
|
| 2:45 |
Open Forum on New Developments and How to Apply Them to Your Practice |
- Methods of Handling Late-breaking Medicaid Eligibility Planning Issues
- Massachusetts Estate Tax Issues Caused by State and Federal Law Changes (and Omissions)
Alex Moschella, Esq., Moschella & Winston, LLP, Somerville
Susan Atlas, Esq., Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, P.A., Manchester, NH
Hyman Darling, Esq., Bacon & Wilson, P.C., Springfield
|
| Date: |
|
Friday, March 21, 2003 |
| Tuition: |
|
Tuition is $199; $179 for attorneys admitted to the Bar after 2000, members of NAELA and education subscribers. Course book and refreshments included in the tuition charge. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Please submit a written request via fax 617-305-3099.
|
| Walk-Ins: |
|
Space is limited. Registrations at the door are welcome, but please register in advance to reserve a seat and your written course materials or call to confirm space availability.
|
| Refunds: |
|
Written requests for cancellations received via fax or email 24 hours prior to the program will be granted a refund, minus a $15 charge. If you cannot attend, you can send a substitute, otherwise you will receive the written course materials.
|
| Location: |
|
Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA
|
| Credit: |
|
Approved for CLE Credit in RI, NH, VT & ME. This course has also been approved for 6 hours of CE credit for Guardian ad Litem Categories I & Q of the Massachusetts Probate Court.
|
Special
Needs: |
|
If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please notify us as soon as possible.
|
Directions to the Law School.
|
Unable to attend but are interested in the course materials?
Purchase Here! |
|
|
Library 
