Benefits like SSI, Medicaid, and housing support can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over your child's lifetime — but small planning gaps can put them at risk. This tool helps us find those gaps before they become problems.
What we're looking at
We'll go through nine benefit areas — SSI, Medicaid, housing, SNAP, and more — and flag anything that looks like a risk to your child's eligibility.
What this doesn't cover
This tool looks at financial eligibility — assets, income, and planning gaps. It doesn't assess whether your child's diagnosis qualifies them for a specific program — that determination is typically made by the administering agency, often in coordination with a treating provider or qualified benefits professional. Your advisor can help connect you to the right resources.
Your answers go to River
When you finish, your results are sent securely to River so your advisor can review them before your conversation. Nothing is shared outside of River.
This tool is about your child's benefits, income, and assets — not your family's finances. We'll go through nine benefit areas and ask questions about their income, their savings, and what programs they're enrolled in. It takes about 5 minutes.
Financial planning and calculator tools are for general educational and hypothetical modeling purposes only. We are not a law firm or government agency and do not file public benefit applications, determine eligibility, or provide legal advice. Program rules for Medicaid vary significantly by state and are subject to frequent change; calculator outputs do not guarantee eligibility for any program. Clients should verify eligibility and complete applications directly with the appropriate qualified professionals and government agencies responsible for administering these programs (for example, special needs attorneys, benefits counselors, or state and federal agency representatives). We may assist you through coordination with these qualified resources.
Takes about 5 minutes
Before we get started
Enter your contact information so a River advisor can follow up with you.
Please fill out all required fields before continuing.
Your results will be shared with River Financial Group so an advisor can review them with you before your conversation.
First name
Please enter your first name.
Last name
Please enter your last name.
Email address
Please enter a valid email address.
Phone (optional)
Please complete all required fields before continuing.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides monthly income to people with disabilities who have limited assets and income. These questions help us understand whether your child's current situation protects their eligibility.
A note on what we're assessing: This tool looks at financial eligibility only — whether assets, income, or planning gaps could affect your child's benefits.
Please answer all questions before continuing. If you're not sure about something, select "I'm not sure."
Is your child currently receiving SSI?
Please select an answer.
What is your child's current monthly SSI benefit?
Check your most recent SSA award letter or bank deposit. If you're not sure, leave this blank — your advisor will follow up.
$
The 2026 federal SSI maximum is $994/month. Your state may provide an additional supplement.
Does your child have any assets held in their own name — such as a bank account, savings, or investments?
Please select an answer.
Approximately how much is held in your child's name?
$
Include bank accounts, savings, and investments in your child's name. Don't include ABLE accounts or Special Needs Trust assets — those are protected.
Does your child have any earned income — wages from a job or self-employment?
Please select an answer.
Approximately how much does your child earn per month?
$
Use gross (before-tax) earnings. Estimate is fine.
Does your child receive any unearned income?
Unearned income includes cash gifts from family or friends, interest or dividends from bank or investment accounts, and any regular payments that don't come from a job — even small amounts can affect SSI eligibility.
Please select an answer.
Approximately how much does your child receive per month?
$
Add up all sources — gifts, interest, dividends, and any other non-wage payments. Estimate is fine.
Does your child currently live with you or another family member?
Please select an answer.
Do you charge your child rent or a room and board fee?
Please select an answer.
How much do you charge per month?
$
Do you have a written room and board agreement?
Please select an answer.
Please answer every question before continuing. If you're not sure about something, select "I'm not sure" rather than leaving it blank.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides health coverage and, in many cases, pays for services and supports your child depends on. We're looking at whether your child's current financial picture protects their eligibility.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Is your child currently enrolled in Medicaid?
Please select an answer.
What state does your child live in?
Medicaid asset and income limits vary by state. We use your state to assess eligibility risk accurately.
Please select a state.
Your advisor will confirm your state's specific Medicaid asset and income limits. Most states use the SSI standard of $2,000, but some vary significantly.
Is your child receiving, or have they applied for, Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits through a parent's Social Security record?
DAC benefits are paid through Social Security when a parent retires, becomes disabled, or passes away. They're separate from SSI but can affect Medicaid eligibility.
Please select an answer.
Something to be aware of: When DAC benefits begin, some states have incorrectly terminated Medicaid coverage. This is an administrative error — your child's Medicaid should continue — but it requires proactive monitoring when a DAC award is issued.
Please answer every question before continuing.
Medicaid Waiver
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers fund many of the supports your child may rely on — residential care, day programs, personal care, and more. Waitlists in most states can be years long.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Is your child currently enrolled in a Medicaid waiver program?
Please select an answer.
Important planning note: Waitlists for Medicaid waiver programs in most states can be 5 to 15 years long or more. If your child is not already on a waitlist, getting them registered — even if they don't need services now — is one of the most time-sensitive planning steps available.
A note on waiver eligibility: This tool assesses whether your child's assets and income could affect their waiver eligibility. Whether your child's disability or level of care qualifies them medically or functionally for a specific waiver is a separate question — one your state's program determines, not this tool.
Your advisor can help you identify the financial impact of these programs, look up your state's specific registry rules, and coordinate with a benefits professional to start the enrollment process.
Please answer every question before continuing.
State & Community Support
Support outside of Medicaid — from state, county, or local agencies.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Has your child been found eligible for disability services through a state, county, or local agency — separate from Medicaid or a Medicaid waiver?
This includes support from a state developmental disability, mental health, or aging agency; county programs; or nonprofit-funded services. If you're not sure, choose "I'm not sure" and bring any paperwork you have to your advisor meeting.
Please select an answer.
Are they currently receiving any of those services?
Please select an answer.
Are they on a waiting list for any state, county, or local services?
Please select an answer.
Please answer every question before continuing.
SNAP (Food Benefits)
SNAP — sometimes called food stamps — is based on your child's own income and household, not yours. Many adults with disabilities qualify as their own household even when living with family.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Is your child currently receiving SNAP benefits?
Please select an answer.
What is your child's approximate gross monthly income from all sources?
Include SSI, earned wages, and any other income your child receives. This is your child's income only — not your household income.
$
Please enter an income amount.
Estimated monthly SNAP benefit
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This is an estimate based on 2026 federal guidelines. Actual eligibility and benefit amount are determined by your state agency.
Based on the income entered, your child may not qualify for SNAP after standard deductions are applied. Your advisor will confirm eligibility with you.
Does your child pay rent, utilities, or other housing costs?
Shelter costs can increase the SNAP benefit through a shelter deduction. This applies even if your child lives with you and pays some portion of housing costs.
Does your child have out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance?
Approximate monthly medical expenses (doctor visits, prescriptions, therapies, etc.)
$
Only include amounts not paid by insurance or Medicaid.
Household of 1: For SNAP purposes, your child is generally counted as their own separate household — not as part of your family's household. This is an important planning distinction that your advisor can help you establish correctly with your state agency.
Please answer every question before continuing.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
A housing voucher can significantly reduce your child's housing costs in the future. Waitlists are often long — sometimes decades — so the planning question is whether your child is in line.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Is your child currently on a housing voucher waitlist, or do they already have a voucher?
Please select an answer.
Worth flagging: Housing voucher waitlists are often closed or years long. If your child is not already on a waitlist, your advisor can help you identify which local housing authorities have open lists and how to apply.
What state does your child live in?
We use this to check income eligibility against local area median income thresholds.
Please select a state.
We filled this in from your answer in the Medicaid section. Update it if needed.
Does your child have any assets in their own name?
Some housing authorities have asset limits in addition to income limits. This may overlap with what you've already told us about SSI assets.
Please select an answer.
Pre-filled from your earlier answer. Change it here if different.
Please answer every question before continuing.
ABLE Account
An ABLE account lets your child save money — and potentially invest it — without affecting their SSI or Medicaid eligibility. It's one of the most valuable tools available for families doing this kind of planning.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Does your child have an ABLE account?
Please select an answer.
Something worth knowing: An ABLE account lets your child hold up to $100,000 without affecting their SSI eligibility (above $100,000, SSI is suspended — not terminated — until the balance drops back below the limit). It also shelters assets from Medicaid's asset test in most states. Annual contributions are capped — your advisor can confirm the current limit and help you open an account.
Approximately how much is in the ABLE account?
$
Assets in an ABLE account don't count against SSI's $2,000 limit up to $100,000.
Please answer every question before continuing.
Medicare
Medicare is available to people with disabilities who have received SSDI or DAC benefits for 24 months. When it applies, your child may be eligible for multiple types of coverage at the same time.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Is your child currently receiving SSDI or DAC benefits?
SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance — based on your child's own work record. DAC (Disabled Adult Child) is based on a parent's Social Security record.
Please select an answer.
We carried forward your earlier answer about DAC benefits. Change it here if needed.
How long has your child been receiving these benefits?
Please select an answer.
Medicare eligibility approaching: After 24 months of SSDI or DAC benefits, your child becomes eligible for Medicare Parts A and B. This is an important milestone to plan for — your advisor will help you track the timing and coordinate enrollment.
Medicare eligibility: Your child should now be eligible for Medicare. Your advisor will confirm enrollment status and help coordinate Medicare with any existing Medicaid coverage. Your child can hold both at the same time — Medicaid is the payer of last resort and typically covers Medicare premiums and cost-sharing.
Is your child currently enrolled in Medicare?
Please select an answer.
When Medicare is in place alongside Medicaid, your child may also qualify for Part D Extra Help — a program that covers most Medicare prescription drug costs. Your advisor will check eligibility when reviewing Medicare enrollment.
Please answer every question before continuing.
Special Needs Trust
A Special Needs Trust (SNT) protects your child's benefits eligibility when they receive an inheritance, life insurance payout, or other assets. Without one, money left directly to your child can disqualify them from SSI and Medicaid.
Please answer all questions before continuing.
Does your child have a Special Needs Trust?
Please select an answer.
A few follow-up questions about your trust:
Does the trust have money in it — meaning assets actually held in the trust's name at a bank or investment account?
Please select an answer.
Does your life insurance name the Special Needs Trust as the beneficiary?
Please select an answer.
Does your will or estate plan leave assets to the Special Needs Trust rather than directly to your child?
Please select an answer.
Does anyone else — grandparents, other family — have assets or estate plans that might leave money directly to your child rather than to the trust?
Please select an answer.
Worth flagging: If family members leave assets directly to your child — even with the best intentions — it can affect their SSI and Medicaid eligibility. We'll flag this for your advisor to address. The solution is usually to redirect those bequests through the Special Needs Trust.
Do you have retirement accounts — such as a 401(k) or IRA?
Retirement accounts interact with Special Needs Trusts in important ways that your advisor will want to discuss with you. We're flagging this for that conversation.
Please select an answer.
We'll flag this for your advisor. How retirement accounts are structured alongside a Special Needs Trust is an important planning conversation — not something to address here.
This is an important planning gap. Without a Special Needs Trust in place, money left to your child through a will, life insurance, or inheritance can immediately affect their SSI and Medicaid eligibility — sometimes eliminating benefits worth far more than the assets received. Your advisor will prioritize this in your planning conversation.
Until your trust is established and funded, the same benefit eligibility risks apply as if no trust existed. Your advisor will track progress toward completion and flag any immediate risks in the meantime.
Please answer every question before continuing.
Your Benefits Summary
Based on your answers, here's what we found. Your advisor will review this with you and help you address any gaps.
Financial planning and calculator tools are for general educational and hypothetical modeling purposes only. We are not a law firm or government agency and do not file public benefit applications, determine eligibility, or provide legal advice. Program rules for Medicaid vary significantly by state and are subject to frequent change; calculator outputs do not guarantee eligibility for any program. Clients should verify eligibility and complete applications directly with the appropriate qualified professionals and government agencies responsible for administering these programs (for example, special needs attorneys, benefits counselors, or state and federal agency representatives). We may assist you through coordination with these qualified resources.
Sent to River
A River advisor will follow up with you. In the meantime, here's a snapshot of what we found.
Financial planning and calculator tools are for general educational and hypothetical modeling purposes only. We are not a law firm or government agency and do not file public benefit applications, determine eligibility, or provide legal advice. Program rules for Medicaid vary significantly by state and are subject to frequent change; calculator outputs do not guarantee eligibility for any program. Clients should verify eligibility and complete applications directly with the appropriate qualified professionals and government agencies responsible for administering these programs (for example, special needs attorneys, benefits counselors, or state and federal agency representatives). We may assist you through coordination with these qualified resources.
Questions in the meantime? Reach out to your River advisor directly.