A Guide To Special Needs Trusts

Why Create a Special Needs Trust?

A Special Needs Trust can be an important tool for a disabled individual who is, or may become eligible, for Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid but has excess assets preventing eligibility. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is the Social Security program that grants income to people who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled with limited income and assets. Medicaid is the state-run federally funded program that pays for medical assistance for certain children, and individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled with limited income and assets. Eligibility for both SSI and Medicaid is based, in part, on the amount of the applicant’s assets.

In order to qualify or maintain eligibility for Medicaid or SSI an individual may transfer his or her excess assets to a Special Needs Trust, without an imposition of a transfer penalty if the individual is under the age of 65. If an individual is over the age of 65, then a transfer of funds to a pooled trust / special needs trust will impose a period of ineligibility for Medicaid, which is discussed in further detail below.

There are two types of special needs trusts established with the assets belonging to the beneficiary. These trusts are established under sections (d)(4)(a) and (d)(4)(c) of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 and are often referred to as “OBRA” trusts. Both trusts are irrevocable, are established with and hold the assets of the beneficiary, and serve to qualify the beneficiary and maintain his or her eligibility for public benefits.

Special Needs Trusts for People Under Age 65

The first type of trust, the (d)(4)(a) trust, may be established by a parent, grandparent, guardian, court, or the individual who has a disability. The beneficiary must be under the age of 65 years and no assets may be added to the trust after the beneficiary turns the age of 65. The trustee may be an individual or corporate trustee.

Special Needs Trusts for People Over Age 65

The second type of trust, the (d)(4)(c) trust, must be established by a parent, grandparent, guardian, court or by the person with the disability. These trusts are referred to as “pooled trusts” because the assets of the beneficiary are “pooled” together with the assets of other individuals for investment purposes. A pooled trust is administered by a non-profit organization trustee usually partnered with a corporate trustee. Each individual has his or her own sub-account within the trust, but the pooling of assets allows for more investment opportunities than the more traditional trust. On July 1, 2012, the “SMART ACT’ was established in Illinois, which greatly restricted the use of pooled trusts for people over age 65. This Act stated that any funding to a pooled trust account for individuals over the age of 65 will be considered a “transfer of asset for less than fair market value” which will result in a period of ineligibility for Medicaid. The only exception to the transfer penalty is if the individual is a ward of the State or the County Public Guardian, in which case no transfer penalty will be imposed.

What Can The Funds in the Special Needs Trust Funds Be Used For?

The trustee must use the funds in the special needs trust solely for the beneficiary, but funds may not be distributed directly to the beneficiary. The trustee is prohibited from making gifts or purchasing items for an individual other than the beneficiary. For example, birthday gifts for the beneficiary’s family are not allowed. Generally speaking, the funds held in a special needs trust may be used for those items that Medicaid and SSI do not pay for. Clothing, companion care, attorney’s fees, taxes, payment of debts, furniture, and transportation are only some examples of potential items that may be paid for by the trust. The trust funds are generally not used to pay for medical care or nursing home room and board, which are paid for by Medicaid.

This information is not to be considered legal advice. If you have questions about it, please contact us.