CPT Institute Blogs

New Blogs

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Featured Articles - Coming Soon

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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)…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

More Resources

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…

Read More

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)…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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),…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

NEEDS-BASED PUBLIC BENEFITS

Needs-based public benefits are also known as means-tested public benefits. Needs-based public benefits are benefits that have more strict income asset/resource requirements to qualify and be eligible for. Needs-based public…

Read More

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,…

Read More

OVERPAYMENTS FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

What are overpayments? According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), an overpayment is when a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits receives more money for a month than he or should have been paid…

Read More

WHY IS MY MARITAL STATUS IMPORTANT TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has different guidelines for individuals that are single or unmarried and for individuals who are married when determining benefit eligibility. Since Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program, the…

Read More

SPOUSAL IMPOVERISHMENT: WHAT IS IT?

Having a spouse living in a nursing home or facility can be very costly. According to SeniorHomes.com, the average cost of Nursing Homes in California is $245 daily. It may even cost more…

Read More

MY CHILD RECEIVES SSI AND IS ABOUT TO TURN 18 YEARS OLD. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

If you have a child who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and is about to turn eighteen (18) years old, it is very important to be aware of what actions…

Read More

WHAT IS MAGI?

MAGI is known as modified adjusted gross income. With the Affordable Care Act (ACA)it provides an easier way to calculate income eligibility for Medicaid through the insurance marketplace. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has actually…

Read More

STATE SUPPLEMENT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME RECIPIENTS

The maximum Federal benefit for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is currently $783 for individuals and for couples it is $1,175. The maximum benefit varies annually depending on the Consumer Price Index. If there is an increase in Consumer Price…

Read More

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SSI BENEFITS IF I HAVE TO GO TO JAIL OR PRISON?

There are certain criteria that may jeopardize an individual’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or make him/her ineligible for benefits. Some specific situations that would cause an individual to become ineligible include, but…

Read More

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…

Read More

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR CHILDREN

Not only can adults be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but children are eligible as well. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a child as an individual who is neither married and…

Read More