New Blogs
Understanding the SSA Overpayment Policy: A Closer Look
By: William Lindahl, Executive Director The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced a significant change in its overpayment recovery policy. After a year of limiting the recovery rate to 10%…
Read MoreWhy CPT Institute Was Chosen to Handle One of the Largest Bankruptcy in the Trust Industry
Experience and reliability are key to managing complex financial situations, especially in the trust industry. CPT Institute stands out as one of the safest national pooled trust programs in America,…
Read MoreWhy Choose CPT Institute
Choosing the right trustee is crucial, and CPT Institute stands out as a perfect fit for many clients. Here’s why: Cost-Effective and Transparent Dedicated and Reliable Reputation and Service Community…
Read MoreWhy CPT Institute is Highly Regarded by US Government Agencies
By: William Lindahl, Executive Director Expertise as a Charitable Non-Profit Trustee CPT Institute specializes in managing various trusts, safeguarding the financial well-being of those unable to earn an income. They…
Read MoreGame-Changer for SSI: Beginning Today, SSA Overhauls Food and Rent Rules, Boosting Benefits for Millions
By: William Lindahl, Executive Director September 1, 2024 marks a significant transformation for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries as the Social Security Administration (SSA) implements new rules that overhaul how…
Read MoreStructured Settlements and Special Needs Trusts: A Synergistic Approach
Understanding the interplay between structured settlements and special needs trusts is essential, especially for individuals with disabilities. It’s also important to note that except in California, a commutation rider is…
Read MoreTransparent Fees, why are they Important when shopping for a Trustee?
When it comes to finding a low cost non-profit trustee like CPT Institute for your Individual Special Needs Trust (SNT) or Pooled Special Needs Trust (PSNT) be sure they are…
Read MoreCPT Institute: A Technology Forward Non-Profit Charitable Trustee
By: William Lindahl, Executive Director CPT Institute emerges as a technology forward non-profit/charity trustee, leveraging technology to streamline operations and spearhead innovation. Here’s an insight into their tech forward approach:…
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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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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 MoreOBTAINING 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…
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 MorePooled Income Trusts: A New Path for CPT Institute
By: William Lindahl, Executive Director A Pooled Income Trust is a strategic financial tool that enables individuals to have their funds managed by a charitable organization, which helps them maintain…
Read MorePROTECTING SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS IN LIABILITY CASES WHEN PLAINTIFF QUALIFIES FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS
THE PROBLEMYou’ve spent years fighting to get a settlement for your client. Finally there is a settlement. But the plaintiff was receiving MediCal benefits prior to the settlement so now…
Read MorePURCHASING 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…
Read MorePURPOSE OF A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST (SNT)
If an individual receives a settlement from a work or personal injury, are no longer able to work and are on government benefits such as, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and Medicaid (Medi-Cal…
Read MoreREASONS 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…
Read MoreRECEIVING CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS AND ITS IMPACT ON CHILD’S SSI BENEFITS
Receiving Child Support Payments and its Impact on Child’s SSI Benefits William Lindahl, MBA, CLPF & Sara Toor, M.A The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines child support payments as “a…
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 MoreREPORTING 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…
Read MoreRESOURCES & 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…
Read MoreSNT’S IN WORKERS COMP: PROTECTING THE CLIENT WHO RECEIVES MEDI-CAL AND/OR SSI
Some clients are already eligible for public benefits such as Medi-Cal, or SSI, or may be eligible for these public benefits as a result of their work comp injury. To…
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 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 MoreSOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS
Social Security Disability: Continuing Disability Reviews Sara Toor, M.A. & Cameron Lindahl, M.S. A Continuing Disability Review is referred to as a CDR. The Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically reviews…
Read MoreSPECIAL 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 MoreSPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS: PROTECTION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, FUNDING FOR YOUR FUTURE
The following article addresses the advantages of utilizing a Special Needs Trust and a structured settlement annuity. This article also addresses the advantages of utilizing these services with CPT Institute…
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 MoreSSI RECIPIENTS RECEIVING GIFT CARDS/CERTIFICATES
Gift cards/gift certificates can be a great gift for a special occasion, birthdays, appreciation, or even holidays. However, it can have a negative impact on an individual who receives Supplemental Security…
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