What Is A Special Needs Trust (Sometimes Called A Supplemental Needs Trust)?
Special Needs Trusts are designed to protect a beneficiary’s eligibility for government benefits, such as Medicaid or SSI, while at the same time providing some funds to give an elderly or disabled beneficiary a better quality of life. Government benefit programs provide for basic necessities only. They do not cover such items as dental care, eye glasses, hearing aids, special shoes, some medical equipment, incontinence supplies, tutors, massage therapy, acupuncture, entertainment, cable TV, telephone service, recreation, travel or other extras. We draft special needs trusts to provide for those extras. Special Needs Trusts may also be created to hold funds received in settlement of a personal injury lawsuit.
