New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finances

National

National

Federal Financial Assistance

• What Federal Financial Assistance is available for people with Disabilities?
• If I earned income, can I receive money back on my income taxes even though I received Social Security or SSI Payments?
• Where can I find help with my income taxes?

Financial Planning

• How do I structure a will and trust for my child with special needs?

Utility Bills

• I am having difficulty paying my monthly utility bills. How can I prevent late charges or disconnection of services of electricity, gas or other utilities?

State Listings

Wisconsin

• How can I contact the Wisconsin Electric Power Company Early Identification Program to apply to a payment program to prevent late charges and disconnection of my utilities?

National

• A: There are two basic federal programs that provide direct and continuing financial assistance to people with disabilities:
• Social Security and Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• For more information on these programs see Pocket Guide to Federal Help for Individuals with Disabilities
• For information about applying, appealing for SSI, go to Disability Secrets.com which provides tips, advice, explanations and answers for working with Social Security. Meeting the definition of disability used by Social Security, applying and qualifying for monthly or past due disability benefits, and appealing disability denials are some of the topics on this informative website.
• The federal government through the Internal Revenue Service also allows Tax Benefits for the individual with disability or his or her parents. When you compute your income tax there are many allowable expenses that can be deducted from income provided you itemize deductions on Schedule A. Some of the deductible items may include:
• Adaptive equipment for mobility or using the telephone.
• Medical equipment.
• Installation of special adaptive equipment for the home.
• Payments to a special school.
• Tax Credit for care.
• For more information on what items you can specifically be allowed deductions, contact the "Federal Tax Information and Forms" number listed under the "Internal Revenue Service" in your telephone directory.

Q: If I earned income, can I receive money back on my income taxes even though I recieved Social Security or SSI Payments

A: Yes! Many people with disabilities may not owe tax or not earn enough money to file tax returns but they may be missing out on receiving money back from the government for their earned income. People with disabilities can qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The person with a disability or family must meet the following requirements:
• 1. The person earned income, not including Social Security or SSI.
• 2. Makes less than the qualifying amount allowed, less than $11230 for the single person living alone, married couple without children, $12230, working parent with adult disabled child who lives with parent and household income is less than $29666 and so on.
• 3. You can claim EITC, even if no income tax is shown on the Employer W-2 Wage and Tax Statement
• 4. You will receive a check for $386 or more depending on your situation.
• 5. This refund will not count as an asset or income for SSI purposes.
• 6. If you did not file in prior years, returns for EITC can still be filed within three years of the original due date. There is no penalty for filing late if the government owes you money. To obtain prior returns call (800)TAX-FORM.

Q: Where can I find help with my income taxes.

• A: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling For the Elderly provide free tax preparation for people with disabilities. For more information call the IRS at Free File is provided through the IRS on-line. A Tax Wizard will help you find a company. Enter the company's website and prepare and file your federal return without charge.

Financial Planning

• A: When you are faced with the inevitable time when you as parent or guardian may not be around for your child with special needs, remember although they may not be able to handle their own finances, the individual with special needs can be included in the financial plans.

  Here are some tips for financial planning:

  • Select a caring person to manage your special needs trust.
  • The structure of a trust should allow the child to qualify from programs such as Title 19 or other public funds.

  For more information visit the ARC (Advocates for Retarded Citizens)and their guide on Future Planning: Making Financial Arrangements with a Trust by Rick Berkobien and Theresa Varnet.

Utility Bills

Q: How can I contact the Wisconsin Electric Power Company Early Identification Program to apply to a payment program to prevent late charges and disconnection of my utilities?

• A: To contact the Wisconsin Electric Power Company for the Early Identification Program to set up a payment arrangement to prevent late charges and disconnection of utilities, call "collection" in Milwaukee at (414) 226-2331 or in Wisconsin at (800) 842-4565.

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