Special Needs Trusts
A special needs trust, sometimes called a supplemental needs trust, holds assets for the benefit of a person, under the age of 65, who has been determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration. These trusts shelter assets so that they are not considered when the person qualifies for need-based governmental benefits, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income from the Social Security Administration. Assets held in a special needs trust are meant to supplement these government benefits. For instance, trust assets may be used for medical expenses above and beyond what is covered by government benefits, transportation and other necessary expenses. The assets are managed by a trustee, who usually pays trust assets directly to the providers of goods and services for the benefit of the disabled beneficiary.
Creating a Special Needs Trust
To leave a disabled loved one an inheritance, a parent or other family member will often create a special needs trust in his will. The will can simply state that if a beneficiary is deemed disabled at the time of the testator’s death, assets will go into a special needs trust This provision of the will names a trustee and lists the terms of the trust, the same as for a standard trust document. In this case, any inheritance is paid directly to the trust, and not to the disabled beneficiary.
Self-Settled Special Needs Trusts
If a disabled person receives an inheritance outright and he is under age 65, he can use the inherited funds to establish a self-settled special needs trust. It is called self-settled because the trust is funded with the disabled individual’s own money. The trust is still managed by a trustee, and the trustee can make direct payments to the providers of goods and services. Although created with the disabled person’s inheritance, the trust is established by a parent, grandparent, guardian or the court on that person’s behalf. A self-settled special need trust usually contains a pay-back provision to the effect that the state will be repaid for Medicaid costs expended for the beneficiary’s benefit upon his death.
Pooled Trusts
If a disabled person is over age 65, he may have the option to put his inheritance into a pooled trust. This is a trust managed by a non-profit organization for the benefit of a large group of people. Generally, there is no pay-back provision with this type of trust. Upon the beneficiary’s death, the money remains in the pooled trust for the benefit of the surviving members of the group. Medicaid laws change often, and, in some states, transfers to a pooled trust can affect Medicaid eligibility. Consult an estate panning attorney for the laws in your state.