Featured Resources
What is a Special Needs Trust? [The Complete Guide]
What is a Special Needs Trust? [The Complete Guide] April 10, 2023 A special needs trust is a document you create to provide for a beneficiary who has a disability,…
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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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…
IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (IHSS) PROGRAM
What is IHSS?In Home Supportive Services, or also known as IHSSS, is a program that is a statewide program in California that is overseen by each county under the direction…
OBTAINING A BENEFIT VERIFICATION LETTER ONLINE FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
What is a Benefit Verification Letter?Are you unsure of which government benefits you are receiving? The Social Security Administration (SSA) can provide an individual with a letter that shows proof…
HAVING A HOME AND RECEIVING MEDI-CAL
Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid Program) is a means-tested program or also known as needs-based. Meaning, that there are certain income, asset/resource requirements to qualify to be eligible for Medi-Cal. For Medi-Cal eligibility…
HOW CAN MY SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST BE USED WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH MY SSI?
If a beneficiary receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Trustee, like CPT, is not permitted to give individuals cash reimbursements for the purchases he/she makes for himself/herself even if he/she…
WHAT IS EARNED INCOME?
Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will lose eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments if he/she receives earned income. Earned income may be cash or in kind. The Social Security…
WHAT ARE “1634” STATES?
States known as “1634” states are states that have completed a “1634 agreement” with the Social Security Administration. This agreement determines eligibility for a specific state’s Medicaid program for Supplemental…
WHAT ARE "SSI CRITERIA" STATES?
States that are known as “SSI Criteria” states are certain states that use Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility criteria (for aged, blind, disabled) for Medicaid. Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), these states could make…
WHAT ARE “SSI CRITERIA” STATES?
States that are known as “SSI Criteria” states are certain states that use Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility criteria (for aged, blind, disabled) for Medicaid. Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), these states could make…