Planning With Purpose: NAELA and SNA Partner to Promote Special Needs Law Month

VIENNA, Va., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Special Needs Alliance (SNA), the nation’s leading organizations specifically dedicated to planning for individuals with disabilities, their families, and public benefits law, are partnering on several initiatives to bring greater awareness to Special Needs Law Month in October.

A new resource, “5 Things You Need to Know About Special Needs Planning,” is designed to help individuals with disabilities and their families better understand their options and make informed decisions. The goal is to provide practical guidance that supports financial security, legal protection, and the ability to live full and meaningful lives, both now and in the future.

The resource focuses on how:

• Traditional inheritance can harm benefits
• Special Needs Trusts are essential, but not the whole picture
• Planning should begin early and be reviewed often
• Good planning should support an individual’s dignity, independence, and voice
• Families don’t have to do it alone — and shouldn’t

In addition, NAELA and SNA jointly produced an “Explainer” document highlighting how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts individuals with disabilities, with a focus on practical guidance for attorneys whose practices include special needs law. The Explainer includes detailed information about the numerous provisions in the law, when they take effect, and what attorneys should do to help their clients prepare.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Special Needs Alliance to bring attention to these important issues surrounding special needs law planning to help individuals with disabilities and their families,” said Eric J. Einhart, president of NAELA. “By providing easy-to-understand facts and actionable steps in these documents, we are offering important tools to help individuals strengthen their legal planning and live more independent and fulfilling lives.”

“As the President of SNA and a member of NAELA, I value the way members of both organizations work directly with individuals with disabilities and their families to safeguard their interests and plan for the future,” said Tara Anne Pleat, a Certified Elder Law Attorney. “Through this partnership, we can more effectively highlight the importance of sound planning and the legal issues that affect the disability community.”

For the “5 Things You Need to Know About Special Needs Planning” document, click here.

For more information about Special Needs Law Month, click here.

About NAELA
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is the leading professional association dedicated to improving the quality of legal services for older Americans and individuals with disabilities. With more than 4,000 members and 33 active state chapters, NAELA provides elder and special needs law attorneys with education, advocacy, community, and the resources they need to better serve their clients. Learn more at NAELA.org.

About SNA
The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is the leading national organization of attorneys dedicated to disability and public benefits law. SNA members focus their practices on special needs planning and advocacy, working directly with individuals with disabilities, their families, and advisors to ensure financial security, access to benefits, and the advocacy and support needed to navigate complex systems effectively. For more information, visit specialneedsalliance.org.

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SOURCE National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)