How is a guardianship different from government benefits?

A guardianship is a court-approved arrangement between a guardian and a ward (the individual being put under guardianship). A guardian is typically a family member or someone else who has the legal authority to make decisions for the ward. A guardianship is different from government benefits in that it is an arrangement between an individual and a guardian, rather than between the government and the individual. In Alaska, a guardianship can be established to provide someone with a legal responsibility to care for and make decisions on behalf of someone who is unable to do so themselves. This includes a wide range of decisions such as medical care, housing, finances, education and employment. Government benefits are funds or services that may be provided by the government to individuals or families who meet certain criteria. For example, Social Security or Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, food assistance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families are all government benefits. Government benefits are often meant to provide people with basic necessity services, whereas a guardianship typically involves the guardians responsible for managing the ward’s assets, providing care, and being the primary decision maker for the ward. Government benefits are typically funded by state or federal funds, while guardianship can involve both state and private funds. In Alaska, guardianships are handled by the court system, while government benefits are typically handled by a government agency.

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How is a guardianship different from government benefits?

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