SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING
Article:
10 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Planning for Your Special Needs Child
If you currently provide care for a child or loved one with special needs (such as mental or physical disabilities), you must have contemplated with concern about what may happen to them when you are no longer able to provide and care for them.
While you can certainly provide that they receive money and assets, such a bequest may prevent them from qualifying for essential benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid (MediCal in California) programs.
However, public monetary benefits provide only for the bare necessities such as food, housing and clothing. As you can imagine, these limited benefits will not provide those loved ones with the resources that would allow them to enjoy a richer quality of life. But if parents leave any assets to their child who is receiving public benefits, they run the risk of disqualifying the child from receiving them. Fortunately, the government has established rules allowing assets to be held in trust, called a “Special Needs” or “Supplemental Needs” Trust for a recipient of SSI and MediCal, as long as certain requirements are met.
Our law firm can help you set up a Supplemental Needs Trust so that your children’s eligibility for government benefits is preserved, while at the same time providing assets that will meet the supplemental needs of your disabled child. The Supplemental Needs Trust can fund those additional needs beyond food, clothing, shelter and medical care. In fact, the Supplemental Needs Trust must be designed specifically to supplement public benefits and not replace them.
Parents should be aware that funds from a Supplement Needs Trust cannot be distributed directly to the disabled beneficiary. Instead, the funds must be disbursed to third parties who provide goods and services for use and enjoyment by the disabled beneficiary.
The Supplemental Needs Trust can be used for a variety of life-enhancing expenditures without compromising your loved one's eligibility for benefits. Some uses are:
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Annual check-ups at an independent medical facility
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Attendance of religious services
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Supplemental education and tutoring
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Out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses
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Transportation (including purchase of a vehicle)
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Maintenance of vehicles
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Purchase materials for a hobby or recreation activity
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Funds for trips or vacations
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Funds for entertainment such as movies, shows or ballgames.
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Purchase of goods and services that add pleasure and quality to life: computers, videos, furniture, or electronics.
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Athletic training or competitions
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Special dietary needs
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Personal care attendant or escort
Supplemental Needs Trusts are a critical component of your estate planning if you have disabled beneficiaries for whom you wish to provide after your passing. Generally, Supplemental Needs Trusts should be a standalone trust separate from your revocable living trust, is funded with a separate asset like a life insurance policy. Your revocable living trust can also direct some of your estate into the Supplemental Needs Trust at your death.
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