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REPORTING WAGES
It is very important that individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) report gross wages to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Reporting of wages should be done monthly and in a timely manner. the Social Security…
RESOURCES & SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
What are Resources?According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the term resources refers to money and other items that an individual may own and in turn can change into cash funds. The Social…
IN-KIND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE: WHAT IS IT?
In-Kind Support and Maintenance is also referred to as ISM. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines in-kind support and maintenance as “food or shelter that someone else provides for you (trust beneficiary).” The…
IMPORTANCE OF SUBMITTING RECEIPTS/INVOICES TO TRUSTEE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF PAYMENT
Keeping an accurate record of which items, goods, or services were paid on behalf of a beneficiary is one of many responsibilities a trustee has when administering a Special Needs…
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC BENEFITS I RECEIVE?
When establishing a Special Needs Trust, it is vital to know what government/public benefits an individual is receiving. It is extremely important for the trustee to know what benefits a beneficiary is receiving…
REASONS A TRUSTEE CANNOT PROVIDE BENEFICIARIES MONEY DIRECTLY FROM THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Throughout my eighteen years working with Special Needs Trusts and beneficiaries, the most common request I receive from beneficiaries is, “How come I (beneficiary) cannot get cash or funds for…
MEDICARE VS. MEDI-CAL: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Medicare is an insurance program. Medical bills are paid from trust funds which those covered have paid into. It serves people over 65 primarily, whatever their income; and serves younger disabled…
KEY TERMS TO KNOW WHEN QUALIFYING AND ESTABLISHING A POOLED SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
When qualifying and establishing an appropriate Special Needs Trust there are certain words or verbiage that may seem a bit confusing or unclear. To lessen the confusion and increase a…
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What is a Special Needs Trust? [The Complete Guide]
Special Needs Trusts April 10, 2023 What they are and how they can help you In order to qualify for government benefits like SSI and/or Medicaid as a result of…
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…
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)…
DEEMING: HOW AN INDIVIDUAL’S INCOME & ASSETS AFFECT ANOTHER’S ELIGIBILITY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)
Deeming: How an Individual’s Income & Assets Affect Another’s Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) By: Cameron Lindahl, M.S. & Sara Toor, M.A.Revised March 2018 What is Deeming and Why…
WHAT IS THE DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT?
What is the Deficit Reduction Act? By Sara Toor M.A. & Cameron Lindahl M.S. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, also known as DRA, is a Federal law that grants…
PAYING DEBT WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
Paying Debt with a Special Needs Trust Sara Toor, M.A. & Cameron Lindahl, M.S. A Special Needs Trust (SNT) can pay past debt incurred by beneficiaries. This includes credit card…
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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…
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…
ADDRESSING SSI OVERPAYMENTS IN DEPTH
Addressing SSI Overpayments in Depth Sara Toor, M.A. & Cameron Lindahl, M.S. What is an Overpayment?The Social Security Administration (SSA) describes an overpayment as an individual receiving more money for a month than the…
Asset Limit Test Update
In this blog, I will discuss some of the implications associated with the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 133, effective January 1, 2024, more specifically, the removal of the Asset Test…
BENEFICIARIES WHO RECEIVE MEDI-CAL AND NOT SSI
If a beneficiary receives Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid Program), and not Supplemental Security Income (SSI), CPT, as Trustee, can pay for a certain portion or percentage of the beneficiary’s request to purchase food, shelter,…
Benefits from parents work history for those born with a disability prior to age 22
Can you imagine a circumstance where your child born with a disability could get Medicare and additional income for life? Did you know that an individual born with a disability…
CAN I USE MY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST TO MAKE GIFTS TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, DONATIONS, FUNDRAISERS, OR CHARITIES?
Holidays are around the corner, and other significant life events such as family celebrations, or graduations are times to celebrate. During such occasions, beneficiaries may want to purchase or give…
Can my Adult Disabled Child Get SSDI?
Yes, if either parent has worked sufficient work quarters and either parent is collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Retirement. The now adult disabled child can collect…
CAN MY FIRST PARTY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST PAY FOR MY CAREGIVER/COMPANION TO TRAVEL WITH ME?
There are times where beneficiaries are unable to travel due to not having the appropriate assistance to deal with all the factors associated with attending special events or going on…
CAN MY FIRST PARTY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST PAY FOR MY CLOTHING?
The answer to this question depends on if a beneficiary is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medi-Cal (Medicaid program for California). If a beneficiary receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI)…
CAN MY FIRST PARTY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST PAY FOR MY PETS AND THEIR CARE?
A common question by beneficiaries is related to their pets. “Can my Special Needs Trust pay for a pet or provide care for my pet? The answer to this question…
CAN THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION CHECK MY CHECKING AND/OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT?
According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) POMS: SI 01140.200, Access to Financial Institutions (AFI) is in motion in all fifty (50) states). What does this mean? The Social Security Administration (SSA) is…
CITIZENSHIP AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific requirements for individuals who would like to receive Supplemental Security Income (SI) benefits. One of the criteria deals with the citizenship of an applicant. In order for individuals to…
COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (COLAS) AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
COLAs are referred to cost-of-living adjustments. Social Security’s benefit increases have been determined by the hike in cost of living which is measured by the Consumer Price Index. The increases are termed Cost-of-Living Adjustments.…
CPT Institute: A Technology Forward Non-Profit Charitable Trustee
By: William Lindahl, Executive Director CPT Institute emerges as a technology forward non-profit/charity trustee, leveraging technology to streamline operations and spearhead innovation. Here’s an insight into their tech forward approach:…
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…
DOES THE APPLICANT NEED A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST?
If a client is NOT totally and permanently disabledAll California residents who make less than 138% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level) and are NOT totally and permanently disabled qualify for expanded MediCal.…
ENTITLEMENT PUBLIC BENEFITS
Entitlement Public Benefits vary from Needs-Based Public Benefits in that an individual’s resources and income are not considered for eligibility. These types of benefits are usually paid for with taxes…
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.…
EXCLUDED/EXEMPT RESOURCES
Excluded Resources are assets that are not included or counted when the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines a beneficiary’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Keep in mind, a beneficiary’s individual assets cannot exceed…