Supplemental Needs Trusts allow disabled individuals to retain inheritances or gifts without eliminating or reducing government benefits, like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There are cases where the individual is vulnerable to exploitation or unable to manage their finances. Using an SNT allows them to receive additional funds to pay for things not covered by their benefits.
Having an experienced estate planning attorney properly create the SNT is critical to preserving the individual’s benefits, according to a recent article titled “Protecting Government Benefits using Supplemental Needs Trusts” from Mondaq.
Disabled individuals who receive SSI must be careful since the rules about assets from SSI are far more restrictive than if the person only received Medicaid or Social Security Disability and Medicaid.
The trustee of an SNT makes distributions to third parties like personal care items, transportation (including buying a car), entertainment, technology purchases, payment of rent, and medical or therapeutic equipment. The trustee may pay rent or even purchase a home for the beneficiary.
The SNT may not make cash distributions to the beneficiary. Payment for any items or services must be made directly to the service provider, retailers, or other entity, for the benefit of the individual. Not following this rule could lead to the SNT becoming invalid.
SNTs may be funded using the disabled person’s funds or by a third party for their benefit. If the SNT is funded using the person’s funds, it is called a “Self-Settled SNT.” A Self-Settled SNT is a valuable tool if the disabled person inherits money, receives a court settlement, or owns assets before becoming disabled.
If someone other than the disabled person funds the SNT, it’s known as a “Third-Party SNT.” These are most commonly created as part of an estate plan to protect a family member, ensure they have supplemental funds, and preserve assets for other family members when the disabled individual dies.
The most crucial distinction between a Self-Settled SNT and a Third-Party SNT is a Self-Settled SNT must contain a provision to direct the trust to pay back the state’s Medicaid agency for any assistance provided. This is known as a “Payback Provision.”
The Third-Party SNT is not required to contain this provision, and any assets remaining in the trust at the time of the disabled person’s death may be passed on to residual beneficiaries.
Many estate planning attorneys use a “standby” SNT as part of their planning, so their loved ones may be protected in case an unexpected event occurs, and a family member becomes disabled.
References: Mondaq (May 27, 2022) “Protecting Government Benefits using Supplemental Needs Trusts.”
