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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 to be Reported? Living arrangement or change of address: this includes if beneficiary enters or leaves a hospital, nursing home or moves from one facility…

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 as unearned income. If a beneficiary receives any money will reduce a beneficiary’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Common Types of Unearned Income Gifts (form…

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 a vacation (includes international travel, cruise, etc.) that they have always wanted to go on. When a beneficiary would like to travel, but cannot do…

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), there is a calendar month requirement that specifies that “an individual is ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for any month during all of which…

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 to their loved ones. However, a beneficiary who has established a First-party Special Needs Trust, such as with CPT, such disbursements will always be prohibited. Why?…

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 from working or being employed. These types of benefits would not require a Special Needs Trust, and disbursements made from a Special Needs Trust would…

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 is yes, of course! Disbursements made from a beneficiary’s Special Needs Trust for his or her pet(s) will not interfere or jeopardize a beneficiary’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medi-Cal (California…

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 benefits are the essential benefits that, CPT, as Trustee, protects.  ​  Needs-based public benefits consist of the following:Supplemental Security Income (SSI)-A Federal income supplemental program…

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, utilities, or other In-Kind Support Maintenance (ISM) items without impacting Medi-Cal eligibility. Other items that are not considered as In-Kind Support Maintenance, can be paid in full…

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 by the Social Security Administration (SSA). How Could I Receive an Overpayment?There are several reasons as to how come an individual received an overpayment. Those…