6/13/08

Trustworthy ALTCS Planner

When I applied for my wife I was too proud to contact someone for help (it was hard enough accepting the governments help for my wife) and now when I look back I wish I had gotten a little bit of help. Not only did our original application get slowed down because I didn't have the needed paperwork, I eventually had to get someone anyway because I needed an Income Only Trust.

When I started looking for someone I decided to do my homework and shop around. The one planner I met who was professional, affordable and was a pleasure to deal with was Patricia over at Valley of the Sun Medicaid Planning. She was a great resource for me and my wife while we applied for services. Not only did she help with the ALTCS she was able to provide referrals for other services that helped me provide for my wife the best I could until the very end.

If you need a great planner who will assist you with compassion and professionalism I strongly suggest Valley of the Sun Medicaid Planning. I have a link to the right but heres the info again:

Valley of the Sun Medicaid Planning
8050 N 19th Avenue. #243
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(623)329-9369
http://www.vosunaltcsplanning.net/Home_Page.html

6/10/08

Do I Really Need An ALTCS Planner?

It really depends. If your single/widowed/divorced and bring in less than $1,911 per month and have less than $2000 in assets than you don't need a planner but if your situation falls outside of that category I've come up with a list of questions to ask yourself to determine if an ALTCS planner is needed.
  • Is monthly income over $1,911?
  • If single, are assets over $2,000?
  • If married, are assets over $20,880?
  • Is the primary house in a trust?
  • Does the applicant’s assets include a trust?
  • Have there been transfers of cash or assets within the past 60 months? (i.e. charity, gifts, name changed on property)
  • Does the primary home have more than $500,000 in equity?
  • Is there more than one home/property?
  • Is there more than one car?
  • Does the applicant have an annuity?

If your answered YES to any of the above questions, it is in your best interest to visit an ALTCS planner BEFORE applying for benefits. Going directly to an attorney can be costly and unnecessary - find a trustworthy ALTCS planner who can offer affordable advice to get on ALTCS.