What Happens To My SSI and Medicaid Benefits If I Travel

If you travel outside the United States without taking proper precautions, you could lose your eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid POMS: SI 02301.225 you are ineligible if you are out of the country for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days. Once you lose benefits, you can get reinstated, but you…

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A SPEND DOWN: WHEN A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST ISN’T THE BEST OPTION

To be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, or In-home support services (IHSS), you cannot have assets in your name that are valued at more than $2,0001. If you have assets that exceed this limit, more than $2,000 dollars in most states, you may need a Special Needs Trust to protect ongoing eligibility for…

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Social Security Administration’s View on Automobiles/Vehicles

There are some items the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers exempt resources/assets. You are probably wondering, “What does that mean.” Such items are not counted against the $2,000 asset limit for individuals and the $3,000 asset limit for couples (Except California), are not counted in determining eligibility, and if a beneficiary has such items, will…

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CPT is No Longer Charging Additional Annual Administration Fees for MSA’s

Great news, we no longer charge additional annual administration fees for MSA’s held in our Special Needs Trusts.  www.cptinstitute.org  MSA funds are a countable resource for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) purposes. We are excited to offer a MSA Special Needs Trust without ongoing trustee fees. Just pay a one-time setup fee of $3,000 and no further fees shall…

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Evaluating the Rising Number of Pooled Trust Programs

By William Lindahl, MBA, CLPFExecutive Director at CPT Institute Individual and Pooled Special Needs Trusts (PSNTs) were codified 25 years ago with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) in 1993. A few National PSNT providers have been able to develop a sophisticated and robust infrastructure that allows them to keep costs low for those living…

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Medicaid’s Underestimated Value to Medicare Recipients

By Cameron Lindahl, M.S., Director of AdvocacyCPT Institute, A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Charity Despite the similar terminology, Medicare and Medicaid are NOT the same regarding coverage or eligibility rules. The individuals affected the worst by this misconception have an anticipated need for long-term care services. Only Medicaid covers these services, including skilled nursing facilities (i.e., nursing…

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“Mind the gap” in government benefits caused by a settlement

Cameron Lindahl, Director of Advocacy at CPT Institute, recently published an article in the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) Forum Magazine. The article discussed solutions available to applicant attorneys as well as policy changes affecting claims of injured persons.The purpose of the article is to help encourage applicant attorneys who work countless hours fighting for a settlement to “mind the…

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HOW THE 2018 POMS UPDATE AFFECTS TRUST BENEFICIARIES

How the 2018 POMS Update Affects Trust Beneficiaries By Cameron Lindahl, M.S. and David Lillesand, J.D The Social Security Administration (SSA) released amendments to the Program Operations Manual System (POMS) this year and changed many of the ways recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and in some cases Medicaid, can utilize their Special Needs Trusts…

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WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) AND MEDICAID BENEFITS IF I TRAVEL?

What Happens to my Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid Benefits if I Travel? By Cameron Lindahl M.S. and Sara Toor M.A. Without providing proper notice, recipients of SSI may terminate eligibility if he/she decides to travel.  This includes taking trips within and outside of the United States.  POMS SI 00501.410 states “an individual is not eligible…

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