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) then there is no negative effect on a beneficiary’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or eligibility.
However, if a beneficiary receives Medi-Cal only then the purchase of clothing could trigger an increase in the share-of-cost to receive Medi-Cal benefits. This does not mean that the Trustee, CPT, cannot pay for clothing at all, it just means that the Trustee, CPT, cannot pay for the full amount/cost of the clothing. Please refer to 22 CCR § 50509 for more information regarding income in kind for Medi-Cal.
Sources/Further Reading:
22 CCR § 50509 https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/I9AA1A790D4B811DE8879F88E8B0DAAAE?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=StatuteNavigator&contextData=(sc.Default)&bhcp=1
Urbatsch, K., & Fuller, M. (2016). Administering the California special needs trust: A guide for trustees and those who advise them (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: IUniverse.