Simplify the Journey LLC
Adult Special Needs Consulting
Andover, MA
Is your young adult with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, including autism, preparing to transition from special education services to adult services or have they done so already?
Receive guidance, coaching, resources, and referrals from an experienced parent navigating the Massachusetts Adult Special Needs System of financial benefits, supports, and services for years.
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29 years experience in the Financial Services Industry
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11+ years navigating the Adult Special Needs System

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Most beneficiaries can easily qualify for the full monthly Federal Benefit Rate of $967 due to the expansion of the rental subsidy policy.
Email Lydia.Sheehey@simplifythejourney.net to learn how to secure the highest benefit!
MassHealth Premium Assistance
MassHealth may pay up to the entire premium of your family's employer-sponsored medical insurance if the MassHealth member is covered on that family plan.
Lots to Learn on the Journey
We can tackle any or many of these topics together!
Financial Benefits
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Maximize Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
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Working on Disability
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MassHealth & Medicare Eligibility
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MassHealth Premium Assistance
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Private Health Insurance: Age 26 and Beyond
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Maximize SNAP Benefits
​Financial Discounts​
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Utility Discounts
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Phone / Internet Discounts
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Amazon Prime Discount
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and Others!
Financial Planning
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ABLE Accounts
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Special Needs Trusts
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Estate Planning​​
Enrichment
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Recreational Activities
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Pandemic Related Transition Services
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Post-secondary Education
Many Places to Apply for Housing
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Section 8 Subsidized Housing
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​Mobile Vouchers
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Site-based Vouchers
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Affordable Housing
Supports and Services
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Department of Developmental Services (DDS)​
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Self-Directed Services​
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Traditional Services
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Flexible Funding
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Goods and Services Budget
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MassAbility
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Pre-Employment Transition Services​
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Next-Gen Career Program
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Traditional Vocational Rehab
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MassHealth
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Adult Family/Foster Care​
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Personal Care Attendant
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Department of Mental Health (DMH)
and More!!
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Lydia is available for
One-on-One Consultations, Workshops, Trainings, and Speaking Engagements
01.
One-on-One Consultations
Contact Simplify the Journey for a Personal Consultation
Virtual or in-person sessions including a summary of topics discussed, an action list and resources. Many families work with Lydia on an ongoing basis as they address the many important milestones of transitioning from Special Education Services into the Adult Special Needs System.
02.
Workshops & Trainings
Contact Simplify the Journey to Run a Workshop or Training for your Group
Lydia conducts annual half-day workshops for
the Massachusetts Family Leadership Program.
"Benefits and Services: Advocating for a Meaningful Life" (2023 and 2024)
"Advocate While Your Navigate Financial Benefits" (2025)
Lydia ran two virtual workshops for the Riverside Family Support Center
"Navigating SSI and SSDI - A Parent's Perspective" (November 2024)
"Let's Talk About Financial Benefits" (March 2025)
Lydia co-presented "Empowered with Benefits" for
Women's Money Matters in February 2025
03.
Speaking Engagements
Contact Simplify the Journey to Speak at Your Next Event
Lydia presented "Benefits and Services for a Meaningful Life"
at the Arc of MA Transition Forum in Concord, MA in October 2022
Lydia was the keynote speaker at the Perkins Transition Center's
Demystifying Transition Planning Symposium in Watertown, MA in May 2024.
She spoke about "Public Benefits - Promoting Financial Independence"
Lydia returned to the Perkins Transition Center in May 2025 for their symposium,
Future Forward: Funding and Planning for Life Beyond Transition.
She spoke about "Financial Benefits Through Transition and Beyond!"
WHAT CLIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS HAVE TO SAY
"Lydia Sheehey has been a huge help to our family. Her wealth of knowledge is super impressive and has saved us thousands of dollars. She consulted with us on topics such as SSI benefits for our disabled son and MassHealth Premium Assistance as well. She has always been very accessible and quick to respond to our many inquiries. You will not be disappointed with her guidance and advice. Thanks Lydia!
- Adrian K. (client)
"With our first “official” consultation, we learned a lot that addressed several topics that were impeding getting our daughter her full SSI benefits. Lydia backed her advice with references she shared to further our position. Friendly and knowledgeable."
- Peter Y. (client)
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"Lydia was instrumental in helping us understand how SSI, ABLE accounts, credit cards and other assets affect our young adult's monthly payments. I have continued to lean on Lydia for her knowledge and insight in navigating the complexity of these services. Money well spent."
- Christine A. (client)
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"After seeing Lydia speak at The Arc's regional transition conference in 2022, I hired her to present how she has effectively advocated for a better life for her loved ones through adult services and supports. Lydia's remarkable skill in connecting different programs and pinpointing areas that need advocacy to improve systems is truly impressive. Collaborating with Lydia has been a pleasure, and the families I support have benefitted greatly from her valuable insights"
- Maryann Welch, Director of the Northeast Family Leadership Program, Riverside Community Care
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"I heard so much about the DDS Self Direction Program but I did not know where to start. Lydia taught me all about the program and how to allocate my budget to both traditional and self-directed services. I did not realize all the different ways to utilize flexible funding to support my daughter's Individual Support Plan goals. I now know different types of services and supports to ask for when meeting with my DDS service coordinator."
- Nicole G. (client)
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"Lydia helped me establish a system that keeps everything that I am dealing with organized. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't know where to start. That was the beginning of an ongoing relationship wherein I have engaged with Lydia on many matters such as SNAP benefits, SSI, SSDI, Personal Care Attendant earnings and DDS flexible funding to name a few. She always seems cool, calm and collected. She has done the research and the navigating and she knows her stuff. I don't know where we would be today if I hadn't connected with her."
- Dianne G. (client)
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"If you are looking for fair and reasonably priced advice on SSI and other topics please reach out to Lydia. She has saved my family and me 10x more than we have ever paid her."
- JJ and Lesley S. (client)
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"Lydia is highly knowledgeable about finances, specifically around maximizing financial benefits for individuals with disabilities. She is a wonderful resource that families should use. It is clear that Lydia is really interested in helping individuals and families best navigate financial resources. Lydia is compassionate and easy to work with."
- Sejal Costa, M.Ed., Student Support Leader at Westford Academy
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