MetDESK ® Resources

 

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Why MetDESK®?

Planning Quiz

Special Needs Information

MetDESK® Newsletters

Motivation and Inspiration

Non-Profit Partners

 

 

Why MetDESK®?

MetDESK® is an organization dedicated to helping families secure both lifetime care and quality of life for their children or other dependents with special needs.

MetDESK®, MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids was founded in 1998 and is one of the first programs of its kind in the financial services industry. Since inception, the program has developed working relationships with five leading advocacy groups: Autism Society of America; The Arc, the country's largest volunteer-based organization devoted to issues affecting people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities; NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders); and National Down Syndrome Society.

MetDESK® can help you to take steps to provide lifetime quality care that your child or dependent with special needs requires. MetDESK's mission is to help families plan for the future of their children or other dependents with special needs, including preserving government benefits and providing insurance and other financial solutions which can help provide lifetime quality care.

Planning for the future of an individual with special needs requires in depth knowledge of the federal laws as they pertain to government benefit eligibility and legal documents such as special needs trusts and guardianships. There are important financial considerations as well for providing not just lifetime care, but quality of life.

The same holds true for dealing with issues of medical insurance authorizations for specialized services and products such as physical therapy and medical equipment. It is also true when it comes to knowledge of the special education laws which most often require you to become an active advocate and participant in your child's education plan.

In planning for the future of your child or dependant, remember that you are the primary expert, but you may also need to turn to a number of other experts for assistance on such things as special needs estate planning. Though many of these issues can seem overwhelming, it is important you take the time with those experts today to provide for your child's tomorrow.

 

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Planning Quiz:

How well have you planned for your child’s future?

Take this quiz!

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  1. Do you or your spouse have a vision of how your child will live if both of you are not around?
     
  2. Have you identified a guardian, conservator, or trustee for your child?
     
  3. Do you have a complete understanding of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) government benefits?
     
  4. Have you begun setting aside money for your child with special needs?
     
  5. Do you have a written Letter of Intent?
     
  6. Have any of your children, with or without special needs, been excluded in your will?
     
  7. Do you have a special needs or supplementary trust set up to preserve government benefits?
     
  8. Have you made provisions to fund these trusts with assets or insurance?
     
  9. Have you coordinated your special needs planning with other relatives?
     
  10. Have you done everything possible to protect your child's financial future?
     
  11. Have you planned where your special needs child will live if you are not around?
     
  12. Will your child be able to earn enough to care for him or herself?
     
  13. Will your child have adequate health insurance?
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If you are concerned with any of your answers to these questions, please feel free to contact us via email at arecck@metlife.com or phone at (860) 258-3812 and we would be more than happy to discuss your concerns with you.

 

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Special Needs Information

 

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MetDESK® Newsletters

 

Sept-Oct 2007 Issue "States Now Limited in their Authority to Recover Settlement Proceeds to Satisfy Medicaid Liens"

Nov-Dec 2007 Issue "Special Needs Trusts: Power Tools for Planners"

Jan-Feb 2008 Issue "National Down Syndrome Society" llll

Mar-Apr 2008 Issue "LA Goal"

May-Jun 2008 Issue "Huntington's Disease Society of America"

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Motivation and Inspiration

 

  • People First Language by Kathy Snow
  • My Three Wishes by John Cox
  • Special Kids Photography - Increasing the "face value" of special children
  • The My Hero Project - Mattie Stepanek
  • Success Stories
  • Sharing - Stories and tips by and for families with children with special needs of all kinds
  • Inspirational Stories from Families Like Yours
  • Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley 
  • The McAuliffe Family - A families journey with their daughter with down syndrome 

     

     

     

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     MetDESK's Non-Profit Partners

     MetDESK®, MetLife’s Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids, is proud of its working relationship with the leading advocacy groups including Autism Society of America, The ARC, NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), National Down Syndrome Society, United Cerebral Palsy, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, TASH, The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance and National Down Syndrome Congress.

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    The Autism Society of America is the oldest and largest grassroots organization within the autism community, with more than 200 chapters and serving over 20,000 individuals, families, professionals, and agencies. It is a leading source of education, information and referral about autism and has been the leader in advocacy and legislative initiatives for more than three decades. To learn more about the organization, visit its web site at www.autism-society.org.

    The Arc of the United States works to ensure that the over 7 million children and adults with mental impairments and related disabilities have the services and support they need to grow, develop and live communities across the country. The Arc has over 140,000 members within approximately 1,000 state and local chapters nationwide. Information of how to support The Arc of the United States can be found at the organization’s web site at www.thearc.org.

    The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the largest nongovernmental supporter of Down syndrome research in the U.S., works to increase public awareness about Down syndrome and discover its underlying causes through research, education and advocacy. Information on how to support NDSS can be found on the organization’s web site at www.ndss.org.

    National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) serves more than 25 million Americans affected by over 6,000 rare disorders. NORD provides patients and their families with easy to understand disease reports, peer networking, resource referrals, medication assistance program, technical assistance to new and established support groups, scientific research, and advocacy on legislative matters. Additional information on NORD can be found on the organization’s web site at www.rarediseases.org.

    United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on Cerebral Palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. www.ucp.org.

    The Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Inc. (HDSA) is a national non-profit voluntary health agency dedicated to finding a cure for Huntington’s Disease. They provide vital support, information and educational services to improve the lives of those affected by HD, offer resources and guidance for HD families through a national network of volunteer-based chapters and affiliates as well as through our HDSA centers of Excellence for Family Services and promote and support research to find a cure for HD. www.hdsa.org

    TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm.  TASH is an organization of members concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities.  They have over thirty chapters and members from thirty-four different countries and territories.  TASH's mission is to eliminate physical and social obstacles that prevent equity, diversity, and quality of life.  www.tash.org

    The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TS Alliance)  is the only national voluntary health organization for the genetic disorder known as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) -- is a membership-based organization; members have voting privileges at the organization's annual meeting.  It is also the lead organization for the funding of medical research related to TSC.  Such medical research has included the breakthrough discovery of two genes (TSC1 and TSC2) that are known to cause the disorder.  www.tsalliance.org

     National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Their mission is to provide information, advocacy, and support concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down Syndrome.  www.ndsccenter.org

     

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