Medicaid. At age 21, your child can now be Medicaid eligible without regard to the income or assets of the parent. Only if you give your child assets or income will you affect his or her eligibility.  The Medicaid home care program can provide relief. A personal care aid paid for under Medicaid can perform many of the chores including bathing, toileting, dressing, that would otherwise be performed by the parent.

Housing. At age 21, your child could benefit from housing options outside of your home. A group home can offer the possibility of living with others of a similar age, offering experiences not available when living with you. If this is your intention, it is important to get your child on a waiting list for such housing as early as possible. In the alternative, independent living in an apartment type of setting could be an appropriate option. Rent assistance is available from the Federal government through the section 8 program, and also from the local department of social services.

Job – "Ticket to Work," "Trial Work" and "Pass" Programs. The "Ticket to Work" program is the most flexible and is available to those receiving Social Security Disability benefits or SSI. Administered by the Social Security Administrator, your child receives a "ticket" that offers access to various New York State vocational and rehabilitation agencies. Both the "Trial Work" and "Pass" (Plan for Achieving Self Support) programs require continuing disability reviews. If your child is no longer disabled on a review, your child may be dropped from Social Security Disability or SSI. This cannot happen if your child is in the "Ticket to Work" program. As long as your child is enrolled in "Ticket to Work," there is no continuing disability review. Your child can be in this program for up to 3 years, during which time there is no possibility that he or she will no longer be considered disabled because of employment.

Remember that you are aging with your child and as such, needs and circumstances change. This is also a good time to review and update your Memorandum of Intent.