CPT Institute Blogs

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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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HOLDING ON TO UNCASHED CHECKS

Holding on to Uncashed Checks William Lindahl, MBA, CLPF & Sara Toor, M.A ​Individuals generally think that if that they receive a check in their name and do not cash…

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HOW DOES THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION DEFINE DISABILITY?

How Does the Social Security Administration Define Disability? William Lindahl, MBA, CLPF & Sara Toor, M.A For AdultsFor an individual to meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability,…

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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT ASSIST APP/TOOL?

What is the Benefit Assist App/Tool? William Lindahl, MBA, CLPF & Sara Toor, M.A ​Benefit Assist is an open source program software that was created by Intuit in 2015 originally…

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FLORIDA’S HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE FOR DISABLED ADULTS

Florida’s Home and Community Care for Disabled Adults William Lindahl, MBA, CLPF & Sara Toor, M.A ​The program that supports case management and in-home services through community based services is…

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MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS

What are They?Medicare Savings Programs, also known as “MSP” Programs are specific programs that assist in paying premiums, deductibles, coinsurances, copayments, and prescription drug coverage costs. These programs may also…

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MEDICAID IN ARIZONA AND LONG TERM CARE

BackgroundArizona Health Care Cost Containment System or also known as AHCCCS, pronounced as “access,” is the name of Arizona’s Medicaid program. The state of Arizona, is a “1634” state which…

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FLORIDA MEDICAID

Background:Florida Medicaid services are administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration. The Department of Children and Families or the Social Security Administration (for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income…

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What Are Household Goods and Personal Effects and Why Do They Matter?

When the Social Security Administration (SSA) is deciding whether you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), they look to see if you have too much income or own too much…

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PURCHASING OR SELLING A HOME AND ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC BENEFITS

Trustee ConsiderationsWhen a beneficiary wishes to purchase home from his/her settlement proceeds that are placed into a First Party Special Needs Trust with CPT, CPT, as Trustee must consider the…

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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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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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