It is important that families give thoughtful
attention to the following:
- • What financial support will my loved one need
when I am no longer here?
- • Will my loved one be able to enjoy the same
quality of life that they have now?
- • Who will be the Trustee to ensure that the
funds are managed and used for
the benefit of my loved one? - • How can I ensure that needed SSI and Medicaid
benefits will not be jeopardized?
The way to be sure that the inheritance will reach your loved one when he or she
needs it is through a legal device known as the Special Needs Trust. A Special Needs
Trust will mean the difference between receiving services that meet basic needs and a life that includes opportunities over and above basic needs such as dental care, eye care, and additional supports that public benefit programs cannot provide.
By establishing a Special Needs Trust, Grantors have the peace of mind in knowing that an inheritance will be available for the Beneficiary when he or she needs it. Because the trust does not jeopardize the Beneficiary’s eligibility for SSI and Medicaid, the inheritance can be used to enrich the quality of their lives.
Enrollment in a Special Needs Trust can be coordinated with the attorney who is handling the family's estate plan including a review of the titling of assets, insurance and retirement plan Beneficiary designations, Guardianship needs, personal care and advocacy issues. CCT will work closely with the family’s attorney, as needed.
If you already have a Special Needs Trust and want to ensure that it is managed by a knowledgeable, third party administrator, it can be moved to CCT.
For families and others who care for a loved one
living with a disability, the thought of not being
there someday can be overwhelming. The need to deal
with the “here and now” demands of daily life may
prevent families from doing the necessary planning.
