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…
More Resources
WHAT ARE "209(B)" STATES?
States that are known as “209(b)” states require individuals to apply for Medicaid through his/her state Medicaid program. These states are more restrictive than the SSI program. States that are…
WHAT ARE “209(B)” STATES?
States that are known as “209(b)” states require individuals to apply for Medicaid through his/her state Medicaid program. These states are more restrictive than the SSI program. States that are…
SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FAIRNESS ACT
On Tuesday, December 13, 2016, the President signed into law the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act. What is it? This specific Act fixes an error in existing law that indicated…
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)…
REPORTING TO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES
If a beneficiary receives Medi-Cal (California Medicaid Program) benefits only he/she is obligated to report specific changes to the Medi-Cal regional office that serves his/her county of residence. What Needs…
UNEARNED INCOME
What is unearned income? Per the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the rules pertaining to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any amount of money received (not earned) by a beneficiary who receives SSI benefits is referred to…
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…
TRAVELING AND RECEIVING SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
It is important for beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to know that there are some rules that they should be aware of in regards to traveling. Per the Social Security Administration (SSA),…
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…