Supported Decision-Making (SDM) (with a Conservatorship)

Supported Decision-Making (SDM) (with a Conservatorship) What is it? Supported decision-making (SDM) applies to all types of decision-making. SDM supports people to understand and make decisions about their lives. A person using SDM selects trusted advisors such as...

Conservatorship

Conservatorship What is it? If an adult with a disability cannot make their own decisions, the court can legally assign someone else to make decisions for them. The person the court assigns to make decisions is called a “conservator”. Along with letters of...

Representative Payee

Representative Payee What is it? A person who manages your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) check. If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and need help managing the money or checks and paying bills, you can...

Health Care Surrogate

Health Care Surrogate What is it? A Health Care Surrogate means someone else will make decisions for you about your healthcare if you are unable to make them yourself. A Health Care Surrogate is different from a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA), because: 1. A doctor...

ABLE Account

ABLE Account What is it? ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Account is a savings program for people with disabilities. It is managed by the Tennessee Department of Treasury. Your account is made in your name. You can save your money and use it to pay for things...

Special Needs Trust

Special Needs Trust What is it? Legal plan with someone you trust to protect the assets and money of a person with a disability. A Special Needs Trust can protect money or other property (like a house or car or other things a person owns) from being mismanaged or...