Web Resources

Government and Regulatory 

• U.S. Dept. of Labor - Information relevant to people with disabilities.
• U.S. Government senior site - Portal to government sites.
• IRS - Obtain tax forms and learn the latest news from the IRS about your taxes.
• Medicare.gov - Official government site for Medicare related questions.
• FirstGov - All-in-one resource for government information
• Internal Revenue Service - News, information, forms, and publications
• Social Security Administration - Get estimates, news, or apply online for benefits
• BEST - Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool - An online screening tool to help determine eligibility and all Social Security benefits
• Texas Department of Insurance
• US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - A link to information about annuities
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) - A link to information about annuities

For Veterans

• Veterans Administration
• Locate Regional VA Facilities
• VA Benefit Information
  Compensation and Pension Guides: M21-1 & M21-1MR
• Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Manual
• Samaritan Center - Hope for Heroes - Provides confidential counseling at NO CHARGE for current and previous service members and their families.
• Texans Helping Texans - Provides supportive services for Veterans and their families.
• Grace After Fire - A place for women veterans to connect with one another and with our professional partners.
• Capital City Rehabilitation Group - Provides vocational rehabilitation and counseling services.
• VA Vocational Rehab and Employment Services
• National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA)
• National Veterans Legal Services Program
• Veterans Advocates Group of America
• VA Aid and Attendance Special Pension Information

Medicaid and Nursing Home Resources

• Texas Dept of Health & Human Services- A state agency involved in the regulation of the Texas Medicaid Program. This site has general information regarding Medicaid and nursing homes.
• A Place for Mom - A senior care resource center and the largest assisted living and nursing homes referral service.
• National listing of nursing homes, comparison guide
• Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living - (CCAL) is the only national non-profit education and advocacy organization dedicated solely to the needs, rights and protection of assisted living consumer and their loved ones. CCAL educates consumers, professionals and the general public about assisted living issues.
• Senior Sites - With this site, you can search by county and state through a list of 50,000 nonprofit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, and assisted living and other housing facilities.

Caregiving Resources

• National Association of Geriatric Care Managers - Information, referrals.
• National Family Caregiver Association - Guidance for family caregivers.
• Alzheimer's Association - National site with links to local chapters.
• Children of Aging Parents - Information, referrals, support.
• The Association of Retarded Citizens of the United States (ARC) - ARC works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and development disabilities in every community.
• Hand to Hold - Organization supporting programs to parents of preemies, babies born with special health care needs, and those who have experienced a loss due to these or other complications.
• Hospice Austin - At Hospice Austin, the emphasis is on living - living each day to the fullest, in a comfortable place, free of pain and in the company of loved ones.

Assisted Living

• Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living - Information on how to evaluate an assisted living facility.>

Elder Law/Estate Planning Attorneys in Other States
(All are fellow members of the invitation-only American Association of Trust, Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys)

• Alabama - Howard Neiswender, Esq. Tel. 205-226-8773
• Colorado (Boulder) - Greg Schlender, Esq. www.schlenderlaw.com
• Colorado (Denver) - Stuart Fleisher, Esq. Tel. 303-488-9888
• Florida - Joseph S. Karp www.karplaw.com
• Idaho - Susan Graham, Esq. www.graham-lawoffice.com
• Illinois - James Wochner, Esq. www.wochnerlawfirm.com
• Indiana - Richard Noser, Esq. Tel. 574-264-7394
• Iowa - C. Christy Barton, Esq. www.bartonlawfirm.com
• Minnesota - Peter Lennington, Esq. www.lennington.com
• Missouri (Columbia) - C. Christy Barton, Esq. www.bartonlawfirm.com
• Missouri (St. Charles) - Rudy Beck, Esq. Tel. 636-946-7899
• New Jersey - Victor Medina, Esq. Tel. 609-818-0068; www.jerseyestateplanning.com/
• New York - Michael Ettinger, Esq. www.trustlaw.com
• Ohio - Thom Cooper, Esq. www.cooperelderlaw.com
• Texas (Bellaire) - Clifton Goodwin, Esq. Tel. 713-668-7792
• Virginia (Norfolk) - John T. Midgett, Esq. Tel. 757-687-8888; www.midgettpreti.com

You can learn more about the American Association of Trust, Estate, and Elder Law Attorneys at its website, http://aateela.org/index.aspx. 

Consumer Issues

• Consumer Federation of America - Consumer advocacy and education organization
• Scambusters - Helps determine if the latest e-mail you received contains a virus - Also has info on various financial scams

Elder Care Information

• Accountable Aging - A terrific service to aid those responsible for providing care to aging family members
• Aging with Dignity - Advice on making health care decisions and what you want your loved ones to know.
• Austin Groups for the Elderly -  Resources and services for the elderly in the Austin area
• Financing Long-Term Care - Service by the University of Minnesota about how to provide for long-term care
• Medicare - The official U.S. Government Medicare site
• Administration on Aging - U.S. Government department under Health and Human Services
• FirstGov for Seniors - U.S. Government web portal

Estate Planning

• Funeral Help Program - A consumer's guide to funerals
• DocuBank - Electronic storage and access service for advance directives, living wills, health care powers of attorney, and other health care information

Interesting Links

• How Stuff Works - In case you were wondering
• Electronic Address Correction - Web site that will notify others of name, address, and e-mail changes
• Bankrate.com - Great site for news about fixed income rates as well as other financial info

Reference

• Guidestar.org - Information about charitable organizations
• Savingforcollege.com - Saving for College.com is a great site to learn more information about saving for college. You will find general information regarding 529 plans, Coverdale Education Accounts and other creative ideas
• The Hungersite - Click here to give food away!
• Big Charts & Historical Quotes - Useful industry, company, and market information
• Morningstar.com - More investment information