Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to announce a new partnership with Seven Hills Foundation & Affiliates focused on promoting and encouraging the empowerment of people with significant challenges so that each may pursue their highest possible degree of personal well-being and independence.  […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Senior Connection focused on enhancing the quality of life for area older persons and caregivers through Leadership, Resources, Coordination of Services and Advocacy. In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Northeast Arc focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $100,000 toward Northeast Arc. […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with The Arc Rhode Island focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $25,000 toward […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with AANE focused on working with Autistic and similarly Neurodivergent people build meaningful, connected lives. In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $50,000 toward AANE. PLAN of MA […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with The Arc of the South Shore focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with NAMI MA focused on improving the quality of life for all individuals affected by mental health conditions and their friends and families.  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Road To Responsibility focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $50,000 toward Road […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to announce a new partnership with Federation for Children with Special Needs focused on empowering families, engaging diverse communities, and eliminating barriers to improve life outcomes for all children and young adults  with disabilities.  In support of […]

Stephen Laliberte joins PLAN with over 15 years of experience in operations, human resources, and equity-centered program management. Previously serving as Director of Operations at ESAC Boston, Stephen managed operational strategy, budgeting, compliance, and people operations across multiple programs addressing housing, educational and economic equity. His career spans roles in higher education, retail leadership, and […]

Attorney Poole brings with her decades of experience in compassionately assisting individuals and families in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration while in private practice. Attorney Poole is past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Massachusetts Chapter (MassNAELA) and remains an active member of MassNAELA’s Special Needs […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI) is proud to announce a new partnership with Boston Senior Home Care (BSHC) dedicated to ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those of limited means, can remain at home and in the community with dignity and independence. […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI) is proud to announce a new partnership with Eunie’s Buddies offering support and resources to new and expectant families raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $100,000 […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI) is proud to announce a new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester dedicated to always welcoming and connecting young people and families to opportunities that embrace diversity, nurture growth, and inspire success. In support of this partnership, PLAN […]

  Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Special Olympics Massachusetts focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $100,000 toward […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI MA) focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & […]

Governor Healey signed into law a provision that restores the viability of pooled trusts for seniors aged 65 and older, essentially repudiating the harsh penalty rule that MassHealth put in place last March 1. Seniors can now set up first party pooled trust accounts without a transfer penalty as of 12/6/24.  The new provision is […]

Effective September 30, 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing new regulations regarding food assistance for beneficiaries receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Food will no longer be counted for In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations. This includes food provided from Special Needs Trust Trustees, family, friends, or community support networks. In-Kind Support and Maintenance […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to announce a new partnership with The Arc Rhode Island focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $25,000 […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI MA) focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Best Buddies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island (Best Buddies MARI)  focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Northeast Arc focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $100,000 toward Northeast Arc. […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with The Carroll Center for the Blind focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), is pleased to renew their partnership with Association For Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) to bring together the collective resources, knowledge and expertise to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.  In support of this partnership, PLAN of […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), is pleased to renew their partnership with The Arc of the South Shore to bring together the collective resources, knowledge and expertise to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism.  In support of this partnership, PLAN of […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), is pleased to renew their partnership with Senior Connection, formerly Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Inc. to become Leaders in information and resources for older adults and caregivers in Central MA.  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA […]

Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/) is proud to renew our partnership with Road to Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) focused on making lives better for all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  In support of this partnership, PLAN of MA & RI recently committed $25,000 toward […]

A Special Needs Trust (SNT), or supplemental needs trust, is a legal vehicle enabling assets to be held on behalf of someone with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for means-tested benefits. Assets held by the trust are not considered a “resource” when qualifying for the type of government benefits that are restricted to people with […]

An updated advisory regarding the pending regulation change disallowing pooled trusts for individuals over age 65: As you are likely aware, the new regulation states that after March 1, transfers to pooled trusts will be deemed disqualifying transfers for individuals over 65.  Specifically, 130 CMR 520.019(D)(5) states that Permissible Transfers include circumstances where: “Effective until […]

  Why consider naming a Third-Party Special Needs Trust, administered by PLAN, as a beneficiary of your IRA or Qualified Retirement Plan? Often, retirement assets represent a major portion of an individual’s wealth. As such, you want some or all of these moneys to be allocated to your beneficiary with special needs to ensure that […]

PLAN is pleased to announce a new partnership with Road to Responsibility, Inc. (RTR).  RTR’s mission is to provide the means, the opportunity, and the support necessary to allow citizens with disabilities to take their place as productive members of the community.  Since 1971, PLAN’s team of licensed social workers, attorneys and investment experts have helped […]

PLAN is pleased to announce a new partnership with Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Inc. (CMAA).  CMAA’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for area older persons and caregivers through Leadership, Resources, Coordination of Services and Advocacy.  Since 1971, PLAN’s team of licensed social workers, attorneys and investment experts have helped people with […]

PLAN of Massachusetts and Rhode Island is proud to continue our Partnership with Best Buddies in Massachusetts & Rhode Island.  Like PLAN, Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that offers services to people with disabilities. Best Buddies is dedicated to providing inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

PLAN of MA & RI is honored to announce a new Partnership with The Arc of the South Shore.  PLAN’s Mission is to help people Preserve Assets, Protect Access to Public Benefits and to Live Well.  Founded in 1951, The Arc has helped thousands of people with intellectual & developmental disabilities, including autism, live their […]

Since 2020, Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN) has granted more than $1 Million to other nonprofits who, like PLAN, offer services to people with disabilities.  PLAN’s mission is to educate and advocate for people with disabilities by letting them know that special needs trusts are an option for their […]

A Special Needs Trust is a legal document that allows assets to be set aside for the sole benefit of a person with special needs. It will preserve a beneficiary’s access to public benefits and can be used to supplement those public benefits. A Special Needs Trust can take the form of an individual (first […]

Good Morning, In an effort to provide some clarification around the availability of PLAN of MA & RI’s Pooled Trust options for individuals over the age of 65 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we would like to share the following information. It is our current understanding that PLAN of MA & RI’s Pooled Trust will […]

In 2022, stock and bond markets repriced in response to stubbornly high levels of inflation and the Federal Reserve’s actions to reign it in.  As a result, this was one of just a handful of years over the past 100 years where both stocks and bonds ended the year at a loss.  It is impossible […]

We are excited to share that we have moved our main office!  We are sad to say goodbye to our old office in Needham, but excited to join our new community in Quincy! Our new address is: Two Adams Place Suite 110, 859 Willard St., Quincy MA 02169. 

This year, PLAN is excited to be a platinum sponsor for AANE’s 2022 Virtual Jody Acford Conference: a Roadmap Through Adulthood! We are so happy to be supporting this organization and their mission of helping people with Asperger profiles to build meaningful, connected lives in an atmosphere of validation and respect.   

Danvers and Needham, MA and Providence, RI — Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI), a nonprofit organization proudly serving people with disabilities — helping them to preserve their assets, protect their benefits, and to live well — announced today that it will serve as the preferred […]

Plan of MA & RI shows support of organization with $25,000 donation. NEEDHAM and WATERTOWN, MA, and PROVIDENCE, RI, ISSUED APRIL 28, 2021… Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), announced today a new strategic partnership with Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)  to bring together their collective resources, […]

Plan of MA & RI also shows support of organization with $50,000 donation Watch the video presentation here: Carroll Center Check Presentation  NEEDHAM and NEWTON, MA, and PROVIDENCE, RI, ISSUED FEBRUARY 25, 2021… Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), a nonprofit organization proudly serving people […]

Plan of MA & RI also shows support of organization with $100,000 donation Watch the video presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiS6WFRiNJQ  NEEDHAM and BOSTON, MA, and PROVIDENCE, RI, ISSUED MARCH 18, 2021… Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN of MA & RI; www.planofma-ri.org/), a nonprofit organization proudly serving people with disabilities and […]

Please join us for an informational seminar on April 7 presented by the Aries Foundation for Financial Education.

Please join us for an informational seminar on March 30 presented by advisors from Harty Financial … 

Plan of MA & RI announced today it will serve as the new exclusive special needs trust partner with Special Olympics Massachusetts, and shows support of organization with $100,000 donation.

Hear our very own Joan McGrath, Executive Director of PLAN of MA & RI, discussing Special Needs Trusts recently on WBZ AM 1030’s New England Weekend radio program with long-running host, Jordan Rich.

2020 has certainly been challenging, and PLAN of MA & RI is here to support you! Our social work team is offering two very special support sessions for our beneficiaries and the entire PLAN community on: Wednesday, Dec 9 & 16, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. via Zoom We’ll explore ways to cope with grief […]

The stock market hit its lowest point of 2020 on March 23.  Since then the stock and bond market have seen positive results. US stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, rallied over 30 percent and investment grade bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index, appreciated just under 4 percent (returns […]

To all of our PLAN Beneficiaries, Colleagues and Partners, Several weeks ago we created and implemented a COVID-19 response plan and approach that has allowed us to continuously serve our beneficiaries and partners while fully complying with the rapidly evolving guidelines provided by the CDC, MA and RI DPHs, Federal and State Medicaid, and other […]

This has been a very stressful and unprecedented period for everyone for obvious reasons. The financial markets continue to show extreme levels of daily volatility and US stock markets are now down over 20% from their peak. Plan of MA & RI investment portfolios are constructed with the understanding that financial markets will become more […]

In October 2019 MassHealth is expected to finalize new regulations regarding financial eligibility. These regulations are expected to effectively disallow funding pooled trusts for people 65 and over. Final regulations have not yet been issued and the effective date of the pending regulations has not been set. Existing trust accounts We do not have any […]