Special Needs trusts (also known as "supplemental needs" or "Safe Harbor" trusts) allow a disabled person to receive gifts, lawsuit settlements, or other funds and not lose eligibility for government programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Special Needs trusts are drafted so that the funds will not be considered to belong to the beneficiary in determining eligibility for public benefits. Special Needs Trusts are designed to be supplemental rather than to provide basic support. Their purpose is to pay for comforts and luxuries that could not be ordinarily paid for by public funds. These trusts typically pay for things like education, recreation, counseling, and medical attention beyond the simple necessities of life. While a trust can grant the trustee with discretion to provide basic as well as supplemental needs, great care must be taken in the drafting so that benefits are not inadvertently removed due to the existence of the trust. Supplemental needs can include medical and dental expenses, specialized equipment such a specially equipped vans, training and education, insurance, transportation, electronic equipment and appliances, computers, vacations, movies, payments for a companion, and other self-esteem and quality-of-life enhancing expenses. There are two basic types of Special Needs Trusts: self settled, or grantor trusts, and third party trusts. A self-settled trust is frequently established by individuals who become disabled as the result of an accident or medical malpractice and later receive the proceeds of a personal injury award or settlement. A third party trust is usually created by a parent or other family member for a child with special needs, either during their life or set up in a will. While relatively simple in concept, the drafting and administration of Special Needs Trusts is subject to numerous complex administrative regulations, and Special Needs Trusts have varying tax implications for the beneficiary. If you are interested in, or already the trustee of a Special Needs Trust, you may be interested in Managing a Special Needs Trust: A Guide for Trustees, 2020 Edition by Barbara D. Jackins et al, available at Amazon. For an excellent article on Trusts see SNTs, Qualified Disability Trusts and ABLE Accounts: Slashing Tax Liability at The Special Needs Alliance, which is also a great resource. Mr. Williams has recorded a YouTube video about Special Needs Trusts & Able Accounts especially for parents and family members of individuals with Developmental Disabilities. He has done these regularly for PC2, a local advocacy and information agency, which is also an excellent resource for all concerns about individuals with a Developmental Disability. Timothy E Williams is experienced at both the drafting and administering of Special Needs Trusts.
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