Saarthiसारथी

Planning ahead

Secure their future, then live today

A short checklist. Complete each step once, review it every few years, and then put your energy back into today with your child.

In the USA

  1. Write a will. Name a guardian for your child while they are under 18, and leave their share of your estate to a trust, not to them directly. Money left directly can end their eligibility for SSI and Medicaid.
  2. Set up a special needs trust. This is the legal name; it is also called a supplemental needs trust. It holds money for your child's extra needs without affecting SSI or Medicaid. Find a specialist attorney
  3. Open an ABLE account. It gives your child tax-advantaged savings to spend on everyday needs. Up to $100,000 does not count towards SSI limits, and since January 2026 anyone whose disability began before age 46 can open one. Compare state plans
  4. Plan for age 18. At 18, your child becomes a legal adult. Choose the least restrictive support that keeps them safe: supported decision-making, powers of attorney, or guardianship. Options in Virginia
  5. Apply for SSI at 18. From 18, only your child's own income and savings count, so many young adults qualify. Social Security: SSI

In India

  1. Write a will. Name a guardian and a trustee for your child. The National Trust's Local Level Committee may consider a guardian named in a parent's will.
  2. Apply for legal guardianship. For adults with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or multiple disabilities, apply to the Local Level Committee in your district under the National Trust Act. The National Trust
  3. Set up a private trust. A trust can hold money and property for your child's lifetime. A lawyer can draft one to suit your family.
  4. Register for benefits. Get a UDID disability card, and enrol in the National Trust's Niramaya health insurance scheme. Apply for a UDID card

Living elsewhere? The same steps apply in most countries. Ask a local disability lawyer which forms you need.

For every family

  1. Write a letter of intent. It is not a legal document, but it may be the most useful one you leave: your child's routines, likes, fears, health needs, how they communicate and what calms them. Update it every year.
  2. Tell the people who matter. Make sure the guardian, trustee and close family know where your documents are and what you hope for.

Please note: this page is a starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ between states and countries, so work with a lawyer who specialises in disability planning.