Navigating disability benefits shouldn't feel like a second job.
Special Needs Navigator gives families and professionals instant access to expert disability planning guidance — available whenever you need it, at a fraction of the cost of a consultation.
You're doing everything right. So why does it feel so impossible?
You've been told to open an ABLE account. Set up a Special Needs Trust. Apply for SSI. Get on the waiver list. But nobody told you in what order, when to start, what happens if you wait too long - or what you're missing entirely.
The information exists. But it's buried across agencies, attorneys, financial planners, and government websites that weren't designed with your family in mind.
The result: families miss the benefits their children are entitled to. They make decisions that accidentally disqualify their loved one from programs. They wait years longer than they had to. Not because they didn't care - because nobody gave them a clear map.
Meet Special Needs Navigator — your on-demand disability planning guide.
Special Needs Navigator is an AI-powered planning assistant built on over a decade of real-world disability planning expertise. It helps you:
Understand which benefits your family member qualifies for — and when to apply
Spot risks before they become costly mistakes
Map out a planning timeline tailored to your situation
Get plain-language answers to complex SSI, Medicaid, and DAC questions
Know when you need a professional — and what to ask them
It's not a search engine. It's not a generic chatbot. It's a structured consultation, available on any device, whenever you need it.
Three steps. Real guidance. No waiting room.
Step 1 — Tell us about your situation. Answer a few questions about your family member, their current benefits, and what you're trying to figure out.
Step 2 — Get structured guidance. Special Needs Navigator walks you through the relevant benefit rules, planning considerations, and risks — specific to your situation.
Step 3 — Know your next move. Walk away with a clear picture of your options, what to do first, and when to bring in a professional.
What it's used for
Does any of this sound familiar?
These are the kinds of situations Special Needs Navigator is built for.
Your child is turning 18 — and SSI has new rules
At 18, Social Security re-evaluates your child using adult disability standards — not the childhood standard used when they first qualified. Most parents have never heard of this process until they're already inside it.
A grandparent left money to your child — this needs attention
SSI has strict resource limits. An unexpected inheritance can create a serious planning problem — and the window to respond is short. This is one of the most common situations families bring to a disability planner, and one of the most preventable.
You're nearing retirement — your child may now qualify for more
When a parent files for Social Security retirement or disability benefits, a disabled adult child may become eligible for DAC benefits — often a larger and more stable benefit than SSI. Most families never get told this exists.
Military family — TRICARE, Medicaid waivers, and EFMP all at once
Every PCS move can affect your child's Medicaid waiver standing. TRICARE ECHO, EFMP, and state Medicaid waivers all interact — and different people will tell you different things about how.
Federal employee — keeping your disabled child on FEHB past 26
There is a process to continue FEHB coverage for a disabled dependent past age 26 — but it requires documentation and the right timing. Most federal employees don't find out it exists until they're already scrambling.
Benefits counselor or nonprofit staff — get a faster answer for your client
You're working with families every day, but benefit interactions are complicated and the rules change. Get a structured way to think through SSI, DAC, Medicaid waiver, and employment questions — without spending an hour hunting through SSA manuals.
Built by someone who's lived it.
Eric Jorgensen is a CFP® and retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer with more than a decade of experience in disability planning. He is also the father of William, who has autism and intellectual disabilities.
Eric built Special Needs Navigator because he knows firsthand what it's like to navigate these systems — and how much better it goes when you have a guide.
He created the discipline of Disability Planning and has helped hundreds of families across the country understand their options, protect their benefits, and plan for the future.
Eric is the host of the ABCs of Disability Planning podcast and the author of the Waypoints newsletter.
Who It's For
For Families
You're raising a child with disabilities, or supporting an adult family member — and you're trying to plan for a future that feels overwhelming.
Special Needs Navigator helps you understand what's available, when to act, and what mistakes to avoid. You don't need a law degree or a financial planning background. You just need a clear starting point.
For Professionals
You work with families affected by disability — as an attorney, financial planner, benefits specialist, or nonprofit staff member.
Special Needs Navigator helps you spot issues faster, structure client conversations, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Special Needs Navigator is an educational decision-support tool. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney, financial planner, or government agency. Benefit rules vary by state and individual circumstance. When in doubt, verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional.
For complex situations, Eric Jorgensen is available for direct consultations. Contact: eric@specialneedsnavigator.us
Special Needs Navigator is coming soon.
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No spam. No selling your information. Just updates on the platform and occasional disability planning resources.