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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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…
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…
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…