Turning 18 is an exciting time in the life of a youth. Youth look forward to adulthood to gain independence, freedom and personal growth. This is no different for youth living with a disability. However, for young people living with a disability, there may be special challenges that make full independence more difficult especially if they need significant support. For instance, depending on the impact of the disability, your loved one may need specialized services to help them to make decisions (e.g., supported decision-making (SDM), guardianship, etc.). Or, they may need specialized vocational support to find a job, supports to transition from high school (e.g., IEP transition), support to attend college (e.g., college disability services/504 accommodations) or support to access the community (e.g., eligibility for services and programs from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)). They may also need help applying for government financial and medical benefits including Medicaid, Social Security Insurance (SSI)/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and other programs and services for which they may qualify.

Did you know that students with disabilities in New York who haven’t graduated are entitled to a ‘free and appropriate education’ (FAPE) up until they turn 22 years old? As well, children with disabilities have a fundamental right to receive special education services in the ‘least restrictive setting’ in a classroom that, to the maximum extent possible, includes non-disabled peers. What this means in practice can vary depending on the child, the school program, and the district.

When a child is struggling in school, families often know something is wrong before the system fully responds. Special education issues can be confusing, emotional, and frustrating, especially when services are delayed, supports are not working, or a child’s needs are not being tangibly addressed. It is hard to see your child or loved one struggling. We understand.

Living with a disability is challenging enough without having to navigate a confusing benefits system. New York State public benefits help with different types of concerns. There are benefits for the disabled, for those with limited income, or both. There are other public benefits that help with basic needs such as food, health care, housing, transportation, utilities, and monthly income support. These programs can be difficult to understand because eligibility often depends on income, resources, disability status, immigration status, household size, age, and living arrangement.


Whether you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), appealing a denial, or seeking to understand your eligibility, we help you navigate the process with practical guidance, clear advice, and dedicated advocacy.

Immigration is about more than forms and deadlines. It’s about keeping families together, creating new opportunities, and building a future. Whether you are seeking to reunite with loved ones or begin the journey toward U.S. citizenship, let us help you navigate the immigration process with confidence. We help with family-based immigration, as well as naturalization and citizenship applications.

Were you injured on the job? If so, you are eligible to file a claim with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). Injured workers with accepted claims may receive cash benefits for lost wages and/or payment of their medical care. Our services include help with appeals, return-to-work concerns, and reviews of denied or reduced benefits. We focus on explaining the process in plain language, helping you prepare medical documentation, and advocating for fair treatment when your claim is not moving as it should.

In our Elder law practice, we help older adults, people living with disabilities, and their families plan for care, protect important assets, and make legal and financial decisions with greater confidence. We help with wills, living wills, powers of attorney, Social Security issues and legal decision-making support such as guardianship and supported decision-making (SDM), if a loved one can not manage their affairs on their own.

Are you the parent/guardian of a disabled child or adult and are relocating to the United States? At C. Cadogan and Associates, we understand the complexity of transitioning from one jurisdiction to another. We support families who are moving to New York from Ontario and need to ensure their loved one accesses appropriate disability benefits and services in New York in a timely manner. Through our Cross Border Disability Navigation Services, we help families understand what their loved ones may potentially be eligible for, what applications to file, and what documents they will need so they can gather the necessary documents ahead of time, saving them the time, effort, and cost of multiple trips back and forth between countries.

We are caring and dedicated professionals who are also caregivers. We have been there and know the stress involved in navigating two different countries with different systems and different documentary requirements while providing care and support to your loved one.