While creating a financial plan and establishing a specialized trust are central to preparing for your child's future, planners also advise families to write down their intentions and expectations in a special document.

When serving as the trustee of a special needs trust, it is crucial to be careful when making distributions for the benefit of the trust beneficiary.  This is particularly true if the beneficiary receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

Individuals with disabilities under age 65 often face obstacles in purchasing Medigap insurance that older Medicare beneficiaries do not face.  In many states, Medigap policies are either not available to younger beneficiaries due to their age or the premiums are too costly.

Sixteen states now have ABLE programs, which allow people with disabilities to set aside up to $14,000 a year in tax-free savings accounts without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.