Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is one of the most important — and misunderstood — disability benefits for families. In this episode, Jeff Llewellyn explains how SSI works, who qualifies, and why age 18 is a critical planning milestone for individuals with disabilities.

You’ll learn how income and asset limits apply, what changes when parental finances no longer count, and why SSI often becomes the gateway to adult Medicaid and long-term services. Jeff also covers common planning tools — including ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts — and explains how to avoid benefit reductions caused by In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM).

This episode is ideal for parents, caregivers, and professionals looking for clear, practical guidance on SSI eligibility, transition planning, and long-term financial stability.

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Brian Klazmer of Klazmer Financial Group for a deep conversation on how life and disability insurance really works for families with loved ones with special needs.

We unpack the essentials — from the structure of permanent vs. term coverage to advanced strategies like second-to-die policies, funding Special Needs Trusts, insuring caregivers, and coordinating coverage with SSI/Medicaid planning. Brian brings decades of experience and a clear, practical perspective families rarely get to hear.

You’ll learn:

• Why life insurance plays a unique role in special-needs financial planning
• Common mistakes families make when selecting coverage
• How to structure policies to support a Special Needs Trust
• The difference between insuring parents vs. siblings
• Underwriting considerations for families navigating disability
• When to review, replace, or reinforce existing coverage
• How life insurance integrates with your overall financial plan

Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or a professional serving families, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward with a safer, more sustainable plan.

Learn more about the Klazmer Financial Group (www.klazmerfinancial.com) and explore Rockwood Wealth Management (www.rockwoodwealth.com/special-needs-financial-planning).

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Stephanie Lee Jackson, founder of Practical Sanctuary to explore how the spaces we live in can help — or hinder — our nervous systems.

Stephanie designs sensory-smart interiors for families, caregivers, and individuals with special needs. Together, we talk about how intentional design can reduce overwhelm, support regulation, and create calm, functional environments that truly meet your family’s needs.

You’ll learn:
🏡 How light, texture, layout, and color affect your nervous system
🧠 Why designing with regulation in mind is essential for neurodivergent and special-needs individuals
💬 Simple changes families can make to create more supportive and soothing spaces
💗 How caregivers can benefit from environments that restore their energy

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or planner, this conversation will help you rethink the role of your home — not just as a place to live, but as part of your care system.

🔗 Learn more about Stephanie Lee Jackson:
🌐 Website: https://practicalsanctuary.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalsanctuary/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieleejacksonpracticalsanctuary/

About Secured Steps:
Hosted by Jeff Llewellyn, CFA®, CFP®, ChSNC®, Secured Steps is a series dedicated to helping families and professionals navigate life, money, and disability planning with clarity and confidence.
Learn more at https://rockwoodwealth.com/snfp

#SensoryDesign #Neurodiversity #SpecialNeedsFamilies #CaregiverWellbeing #HomeEnvironment #PracticalSanctuary #SecuredStepsPodcast #DisabilityPlanning

In this episode of the Secured Steps podcast, host Jeff Llewellyn engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Jack Hinman about the challenges faced by young adults, particularly those in the special needs community. They explore the intersection of personal and professional experiences, discussing the importance of family dynamics, developmental milestones, and the crisis of connection in today's youth. Dr. Hinman emphasizes the need for parents to encourage social skills and friendships while also addressing the significance of understanding attachment styles and increasing bandwidth for social interaction. The conversation concludes with success stories and strategies for coaching young adults to foster growth and resilience.

Connect with Jack:
https://engagelifenow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-hinman-engagelifenow

In this episode of Secured Steps, host Jeff Llewellyn speaks with author Catherine Zoratti about her journey as a parent of two boys, one neurotypical and one neurodiverse. They discuss the inspiration behind her book 'Hello Saturday', the importance of finding joy in unexpected places, and the challenges of defining 'typical' in parenting. Catherine shares insights on building connections with like-minded families, the significance of advocacy for neurodiverse children, and the balancing act of meeting the needs of siblings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care for parents and the value of children's literature in shaping perspectives.

You can purchase Hello Saturday here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJN14NJD/

Connect here:

https://nonverbalkids.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nonverbalkids/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/920212136370668117/

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn interviews Jennifer Gasner, an author and advocate for changing perceptions of people with disabilities. Jennifer shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease at 17 and how it transformed her life. She discusses her memoir, 'My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis,' and the importance of representation and understanding in the disability community. The conversation also touches on the writing process, the challenges of sharing personal stories, and advice for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities.

Check out her book at https://www.amazon.com/My-Unexpected-Life-Finding-Diagnosis/dp/B0CCCPG1ZJ

In this episode of Secured Steps, we dive into one of the most important — and often overwhelming — parts of planning for a loved one with disabilities: housing. Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or deep into decision-making, this conversation will give you clarity on the categories of housing, how funding works, and where to turn for trusted resources in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

What You’ll Learn:

• The different categories of housing available for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities — from group homes and supported apartments to private pay and transitional options.
• How public benefits like Medicaid, Social Security, and state programs interact with housing choices.
• The role of private funding, insurance, and creative planning strategies.
• Key resources for parents and caregivers in PA and NJ.

Resources Mentioned:

• Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP): https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs
  
  
• New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD): https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/
  
  
• The Arc of Pennsylvania: https://thearcpa.org
  
  
• The Arc of New Jersey: https://arcnj.org
  
  
• PA Housing Finance Agency: https://www.phfa.org
  
  
• NJ Housing Resource Center: https://www.njhrc.gov
  
  
• National Council on Independent Living: https://ncil.org

In this episode of Secured Steps, Jeff Llewellyn sits down with Janine Tang, a speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience helping children find their voice. They explore the power of early intervention tips and language development for kids, the impact of speech therapy, and why starting early can make all the difference.

Janine opens up about her personal journey as a speech-language pathologist and shares practical parent coaching strategies to help boost communication skills for kids—from everyday play to structured exercises. The conversation also touches on her book, Play Dumb & Sabotage, a hands-on guide for parents and caregivers looking to support child speech development at home.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode offers special needs parenting tips, insights for autism parenting, and actionable ideas for building your child’s language skills.

You can get your copy of Play Dumb & Sabotage here: https://a.co/d/8J7v5yc