Government benefits are some of the most important—and confusing—resources available to families supporting a loved one with disabilities. In this episode of Secured Steps, host Jeff Llewellyn of Rockwood Wealth Management breaks down the alphabet soup of programs like SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Community Waivers in plain English.

You'll learn:

• Who qualifies for SSI and how it's calculated
• How earned and unearned income affects monthly benefits
• The ins and outs of the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit under SSDI
• Why Medicaid waivers matter and how to avoid losing eligibility
• Common pitfalls to watch out for—and how to avoid them

Whether your child is nearing age 18 or already navigating adult services, this episode will help you take clearer, more confident steps forward.

📍 For more resources and guidance, visit rockwoodwealth.com/snfp.

If you’re caring for a loved one with special needs, you’ve probably heard about ABLE accounts—but do you know how they actually work, or how they can protect eligibility for benefits like SSI and Medicaid?

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn of Rockwood Wealth Management breaks down everything you need to know about ABLE accounts—Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts—and how they fit into a comprehensive special needs financial plan.

You'll learn:

• Who qualifies for an ABLE account (including age and disability criteria)
• 2025 contribution limits and how the ABLE to Work provision expands savings potential
• What counts as a Qualified Disability Expense (QDE)
• How ABLE accounts interact with SSI and Medicaid rules—including the $100,000 balance limit
• Key differences between ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts, and how they complement each other
• Common mistakes to avoid

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this episode will equip you with practical guidance to make the most of one of the most powerful tools in special needs planning.