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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…
Read MoreBenefits 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 MoreWhat 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 MoreA 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 MoreSocial 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 MoreCPT 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…
Read MoreMedicaid’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 MoreHOW 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 MoreDEEMING: 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 MoreWHAT 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 MorePAYING 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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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 MoreCAN 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 MoreREPORTING 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 MoreUNEARNED 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 MoreCAN 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 MoreTRAVELING 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 MoreCAN 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 MoreENTITLEMENT 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 MoreCAN 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 MoreNEEDS-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 MoreBENEFICIARIES 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 MoreOVERPAYMENTS 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 MoreWHY 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 MoreSPOUSAL 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 MoreMY 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 MoreWHAT 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 MoreSTATE 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 MoreWHAT 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 MoreCITIZENSHIP 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 MoreSUPPLEMENTAL 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…
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