CPT Institute Blogs

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Medicare Refresher

As a refresher, traditional Medicare comes in four parts. Part A for hospital benefits (free). Part B pays for your doctors; the monthly premium costs $164, subtracted from their SSDI,…

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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…

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Hearing Help from CPT Institute

How can CPT(Community and Professional Training)Institute help at your hearings as a nationwide non-profit trustee and 501(c)(3) charity? Whether you are setting up a Special Needs Trust (SNT), Pooled Special…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Featured Resources

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…

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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…

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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)…

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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…

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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…

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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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More Resources

“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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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)…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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:…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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