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Special Needs Financial Planning in Connecticut

Special Needs Financial Planning for Families

Planning for a loved one with special needs involves more than saving and investing. Families often have questions about government benefits, financial support, future caregivers, and how decisions made today may affect their loved one in the years ahead.

At Capital Wealth Management, we work with families in Connecticut and across the country who are planning for a child or adult with disabilities. Whether you’re looking ahead for a young child, supporting an adult family member, or revisiting a plan already in place, we can help you understand your options and develop a financial plan based on your family’s needs.

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The Importance of Special Needs Financial Planning

One of the questions we hear most often

“What will happen to my loved one when I’m no longer here?”

It is an emotional question that deserves thoughtful planning.

Every family’s situation is different. Special needs financial planning can bring financial, legal, benefit, and caregiving considerations together around your loved one’s needs.

✓ Government benefit eligibility
✓ Financial support for a loved one
✓ Future caregivers, housing, and support
✓ Trusts and beneficiary designations
✓ Changes as parents and caregivers age
✓ Coordination with attorneys and other professionals

Working With a Special Needs Financial Planner

Tom Hine CFP CFS MBA

Tom Hine, CFP®, CFS®, MBA

CEO, CWM & Principal, RJFS

Schedule a Meeting with Tom

At Capital Wealth Management, our Special Needs Financial Planning services are led by Tom Hine, CFP®, CFS®, MBA .

Tom’s commitment to working with families supporting a child or adult with disabilities is both professional and personal. His sister, Amy, was born with an unbalanced chromosomal translocation that resulted in lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities. Growing up with Amy gave Tom a firsthand perspective on many of the financial questions families face.

More than 30 years of experience helping families connect special needs planning with their broader financial lives.
Coordinated planning with attorneys and other professionals when appropriate.
Ongoing guidance as family circumstances and planning needs change.

Key Parts of a Special Needs Financial Plan

Different planning tools may serve different purposes. Understanding how they work together can help families make more informed decisions about financial support, government benefits, and their loved one’s future.

Special Needs Trusts

A Special Needs Trust may provide financial support for a loved one with disabilities while helping preserve eligibility for certain government benefits.

Trust planning should be coordinated with an attorney and considered alongside the family’s broader estate and financial plans.

SSI & Medicaid Planning

Gifts, inheritances, and other financial decisions can sometimes affect eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and other programs.

Families may benefit from knowing how benefit programs, trusts, and financial planning decisions interact.

ABLE (529A) Accounts

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities and can be used for qualified disability-related expenses.

An ABLE account may complement other parts of a broader special needs financial plan.

Financial Planning for Children and Adults with Disabilities

The planning needs of a young child often look different from those of an adult with disabilities. Families may be preparing for adulthood, employment decisions, housing options, caregiving transitions, or retirement while continuing to support a loved one.

We work with Connecticut families at many stages of life, connecting financial decisions with their loved one’s evolving needs and long-term goals.

Planning Earlier

Benefits, savings, trusts, education, and support needs for a child with disabilities.

Preparing for Adulthood

Employment, housing, benefits, decision-making, and caregiving transitions.

Planning for the Years Ahead

Future caregivers, family retirement, estate planning, and long-term support.


Related Services

Financial Planning → Estate Planning → Life Insurance →

Special Needs Financial Planning Articles and Resources

Explore More Financial Insights →

Special Needs Financial Planning: Where Do You Start?

Planning for a loved one with special needs can be overwhelming. Learn how to balance benefits, trusts, and long-term financial strategies.

Read the article →

Don't Risk Losing Eligibility for Government Benefits

Navigating government benefits can be complex. Learn how Medicaid, SSI, and SSDI impact financial planning for individuals with disabilities.

Read the article →

Comparing Special Needs Trusts and 529A ABLE Accounts

Should you use a Special Needs Trust or a 529A ABLE account? Both offer financial benefits, but they serve different purposes.

Read the article →

How to Talk to Your Family About Special Needs Financial Planning

Learn how to talk about trusts, caregiving, and benefits, so your family can plan together for your loved one’s future.

Read the article →

Common Questions About Special Needs Financial Planning

What is special needs financial planning?

Special needs financial planning helps families coordinate financial resources, government benefits, trust planning, estate planning considerations, and long-term support strategies for a loved one with disabilities. 

Can an inheritance affect SSI or Medicaid eligibility?

In some situations, yes. Receiving an inheritance or other assets directly may affect eligibility for certain government benefits. Families often work with attorneys and financial professionals to explore planning strategies that may help avoid unintended consequences. 

What is the difference between a Special Needs Trust and an ABLE account?

Both can play an important role in a special needs plan, but they serve different purposes. A Special Needs Trust generally provides greater flexibility and funding capacity, while ABLE accounts offer tax-advantaged savings opportunities for qualified disability expenses. 

When should families begin special needs planning?

Many families benefit from beginning the planning process as early as possible, but it's never too late to start. We work with families who have young children as well as families caring for adult loved ones with disabilities.

What happens when parents or caregivers are no longer able to provide support?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear. Planning may involve trusts, future caregivers, trustees, estate planning strategies, and other long-term support arrangements designed to help ensure continuity of care. 

Can a financial advisor help coordinate with my attorney?

Yes. While we do not provide legal advice, we frequently work alongside attorneys and other professionals to help align financial planning considerations with a family's broader goals.

These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health and the type and amount of insurance purchased. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.