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How a Special Needs Trust in PA Can Secure Benefits

Jul 24, 2024

A special needs trust can help Pennsylvania residents and their loved ones maintain eligibility for government benefits if they inherit an estate. It’s a must-have estate planning document for people with disabilities. 

When you care for a person with special needs, you can create a plan to provide for their future. A special needs trust attorney in PA can help you make the best decisions for your loved one’s future and provide peace of mind knowing they’re taken care of.

Keep reading to learn more about special needs trusts, including who they’re meant for, what they cover, and how to put one together.

Who Needs a Special Needs Trust?

A special needs trust is typically intended for individuals with disabilities who are likely to receive government benefits. It ensures they can maintain their eligibility and have additional financial resources to improve their quality of life. 

A special needs trust in PA can be beneficial for many people, including: 

  • People with disabilities 
  • Parents or guardians with children with disabilities 
  • People who receive SSDI or Medicare 

What Does a Special Needs Trust Cover?

A special needs trust in PA can cover various goods and services. These expenses often go beyond basic needs and include items that enhance comfort, happiness, and personal well-being for people with disabilities. 

Medical and Dental Care

A trust can supplement costs not covered by Medicaid or other insurance, including therapy and medical and dental treatments.

Assistive Equipment

Wheelchairs, communication devices, and other home modifications for accessibility may be paid for using money from a trust. 

Home Maintenance

A trust can cover home repairs and alterations to accommodate a beneficiary’s special needs.

Caregiving

Expenses can add up quickly for caregivers who provide personal care and assistance. 

Education

Individuals can pay for tuition, books, supplies, and other education-related costs using money from a trust. 

Transportation

A special needs trust can cover purchasing and maintaining a vehicle, paying for public transportation, and other travel expenses. 

How to Set Up a Special Needs Trust in PA

Several key steps can ensure a trust meets the beneficiary’s needs while maintaining their eligibility for government assistance. You can start by understanding the purpose of the trust you’re creating and the appropriate type, whether it’s first party, third party, or pooled. From there, you can select a trustee, such as a family member or professional trustee. 

Setting up a trust requires careful planning and legal expertise. A special needs trust attorney in PA can draft the document, detailing the trustee’s powers, distribution terms, and remainder beneficiaries. They can also update and review it to fit changing circumstances and legal requirements. 

Setting up a special needs trust requires careful planning and legal expertise. An attorney can offer professional guidance and ensure you make the right decisions for your family. 

Special Needs Trusts With Auld Brothers Law

Setting up a special needs trust in PA requires careful planning and legal expertise. An attorney offers professional guidance and ensures you make the right decisions for your family. 

At Auld Brothers Law, we work with you to create a trust that fits your loved one’s needs. As experienced special needs attorneys, we can prepare a trust that maintains government benefits eligibility and provides you with peace of mind. 

Contact Auld Brothers Law today to start putting together a special needs trust.