How do SSI and MA Treat Distributions from a Trust?
Even though a trust is not counted as a resource, distributions to benefit the person may count as income. For that reason, trusts for people who rely on SSI and MA do not require the trustee to distribute cash, or other property that would count as income, directly to the beneficiary. Distributions are usually made by paying providers of goods and services, who in turn provide the goods and services to the beneficiary. Some goods and services the beneficiary receives may count as income. Common distributions of a supplemental needs trust that do not count as income are listed at the end of this document.
