Special Needs Plan

A child with a disability? Protect their benefits and their future.

An inheritance left outright can end SSI and Medicaid overnight. A special needs trust lets you leave money that improves your child’s life while keeping the benefits they rely on. We also plan for the day your child turns 18.

Call (844) 544-PLAN to schedule

The short answer

A third-party special needs trust, funded by you or family, can hold any amount for your child without affecting SSI or Medicaid, and has no payback to the state.

Do this first

✓Tell family not to leave money to your child directly

✓List benefits your child receives or may receive

✓Think about who should manage the trust after you

What happens without a plan

An inheritance

Without a plan

Money left to your child can end SSI and Medicaid until it is spent down.

With the Special Needs Plan

The trust holds the money and benefits continue.

Turning 18

Without a plan

At 18 your child is a legal adult, and you may lose authority to help.

With the Special Needs Plan

We plan guardianship or less restrictive options in time.

After you are gone

Without a plan

No one may know your child’s routines, doctors, and needs.

With the Special Needs Plan

A letter of intent and a named trustee carry your knowledge forward.

What the plan includes

What your Special Needs Plan includes

Third-party special needs trust

Holds money for your child with no effect on benefits and no Medicaid payback.

Wills and trust naming the SNT

Every gift routes to the trust.

Beneficiary review

Retirement accounts and insurance point to the trust.

Letter of intent

Your child’s care, routines, and preferences, written down.

Guardianship planning at 18

Guardianship or a supported decision-making agreement.

ABLE account guidance

How an ABLE account can work alongside the trust.

Questions

Common questions

Every family is different. A 15-minute call with a licensed attorney answers the rest.

All statesSpecial Needs Trust Guide→

Will the trust affect SSI or Medicaid?

A properly written third-party trust does not count as your child’s resource.

Does the state get paid back from the trust?

Not from a third-party trust funded with your money. First-party trusts are different.

Who should be trustee?

Someone who knows your child and can handle money, often with a professional co-trustee.

What if my child already received money?

A first-party or pooled trust may still protect benefits. See our special needs guide.

Protect your child’s benefits and future.

In 15 minutes, a licensed attorney will tell you what your family needs and quote the flat fee in writing.

Call to schedule