Financial Planning


Special Needs 101

Find basic information about financial well-being for individuals with special needs. Includes information about Able accounts, life care planning, Special Needs Trusts, and government benefits.

Visit the Special Needs Alliance (SNA) website

Money as You Grow

Activities that help children of all ages grow their money skills and habits.

Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website

Financial Well Being Tools

The National Disability Institute's free financial well-being tools can be downloaded. They can be used to help individuals, families, and community partners improve the financial well-being of people with disabilities.

Visit the National Disability Institute website

Debunking the Three Biggest Myths about Disability Benefits and Work

Some common misunderstandings about disability benefits are addressed in this document from the Social Security Administration.

Visit the Social Security Administration website

Disability Benefits SSDI

Basic information about how to apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is provided. The application is included.

Visit the Social Security Administration website

Habilitation Services

Habilitation Services is a program that provides supports to individuals with chronic mental illness to live as independently as possible in the community. The program is similar to Iowa's Home and Community Based (Waiver) Services (HCBS).

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

Finding and Applying for Scholarships

Information about applying for scholarships is provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid organization. It includes how to find scholarships and when to apply.

Visit the Federal Student Aid website

Special Needs Trusts

An introduction to Special Needs Trusts. Includes what they are, what types are available, why families should consider utilizing one and how they work from the Connect the Dots for Life financial firm.

Visit the Connect the Dots for Life website

Guardianship and Conservatorship in Iowa

The legal processes and responsibilities around guardianship, conservatorship and substitute decision making in Iowa are described by Iowa's Developmental Disabilities Council.

Visit the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council website

Complete Guide to Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Tips for applying for disability scholarships are outlined by Intuit. They also have additional sources of financial aid for students with disabilities.

Visit the Intuit website

Disability Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities from a variety of organizations are listed. Details and how to apply are included.

Visit the Scholarships.com website

Federal Student Aid

Understand how federal financial aid works, how to apply for aid and about loan repayment on the Federal Student Aid Website.

Visit the Federal Student Aid website

Iowa Disability Benefits Network

The Iowa Disability Benefits Network provides information that is easy to understand about disability benefits like SSI and SSDI.

Visit the Iowa Disability Benefits Network website

HCBS Rent Subsidy Program

Find information about the HCBS Rent Subsidy Program from The Iowa Finance Authority. The program provides financial help to people receiving HCBS waiver services who are on the waiting list for rental assistance.

Visit the Iowa Finance Authority website

Special Needs Trusts, Special Needs Planning and Guardianship

Experts in estate planning offer their expertise to families regarding special needs trusts, supported decision-making, alternatives to guardianship, healthcare proxies, power of attorney and more.

Visit The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel website

Youthood Website

Youthood is a virtual classroom-based transition tool for youth with disabilities that includes activities.

Visit the Youthood website

Transition Planning Guide- (MFP)

A transition planning guide with important questions and topics to consider for adulthood for any individual with a disability. Topics covered include physical and mental health, housing, transportation, education, employment, money management, social, leisure, community, family support and public safety.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

Suggest or Request a Resource

Searching for a resource but can't find it? Please fill out our form to let us know what information would be helpful to you.

Complete The Form

Transition to Adulthood Webinar Series

The University of Iowa's Child Health Specialty Clinics offers a webinar series on Transition Planning for families of youth with special needs. Topics include: School Transition Planning, Applying for Social Security, Estate Planning, Promoting Self Determination, A Youth and Parent Panel, Guardianship and Shared Decision Making, and a screening of the Intelligent Lives Documentary with Guided Discussion.

Visit the Child Health Specialty Clinics website

Secure Your Financial Future: A Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities

This comprehensive resource includes answers to frequently asked questions and additional websites, publications, and videos on topics like preparing, starting, maintaining, and changing a job.

Visit the Department of Labor website

Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) On Demand

WISE webinars provide information you can use on your path to financial independence through work. Discover programs, resources and information while learning about how Social Security's Ticket to Work Program can help.

Visit the Social Security Administration's website

Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA)

Iowa's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program supports people receiving disability benefits who want to work.

Visit the Iowa Work Incentives Planning and Assistance website

Should I Use a Special Needs Trust or an ABLE Account?

The differences between an ABLE Account and a Special Needs Trust are described to help families understand which option would best meet their needs.

View the resource from the ARC

Financial Resources for People With Disabilities

People with disabilities often face additional financial challenges due to the added expenses that can stem from their disabilities, such as the need for more health care and the cost of equipment required to maintain their independence. This website is full of information to support people with disabilities with money management.

Visit the Financial Resources for People with Disabilities webpage

ABLE Webinar Archives

An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account that can fund disability expenses. Learn about ABLE with this extensive list of recorded and upcoming webinars.

Go to the ABLE National Resource Center

ASK AN EXPERT: GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP

Jennifer Donovan - Public Guardian at Iowa Department on Aging covers Guardianship and Conservatorship and the changes effective 1/1/2020.

View the webinar

ASK AN EXPERT: ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP

Jennifer Donovan - Public Guardian at Iowa Department on Aging covers Alternatives to Guardianship.

View the webinar

A Caregiver's Toolkit

This toolkit from Prudential Insurance Company helps families of children with special needs understand some key planning considerations for estate planning needs.

View the Toolkit