CPT Institute Blogs

New Blogs

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

Asset Limit Test Update

In this blog, I will discuss some of the implications associated with the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 133, effective January 1, 2024, more specifically, the removal of the Asset Test…

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

Can my Adult Disabled Child Get SSDI?

Yes, if either parent has worked sufficient work quarters and either parent is collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Retirement. The now adult disabled child can collect…

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

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

Medicare Refresher

As a refresher, traditional Medicare comes in four parts. Part A for hospital benefits (free). Part B pays for your doctors; the monthly premium costs $164, subtracted from their SSDI,…

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

Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.)

S.S.I. Law, Regulations, and S.S.A.’s Policy Manual By: Executive Director, Will Lindahl The legal framework for Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.) was established under 42 U.S.C. §§1381–1383f, and the regulations 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

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…

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

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…

Read More

WHAT IS THE HARTMAN FORMULA?

What is the Hartman Formula? By Sara Toor M.A. & Cameron Lindahl M.S.  ​If you are an Applicant Attorney or an individual that works extensively with individuals who will be…

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