Special Needs Trusts are designed to supplement, not replace, the kind of basic support provided by government programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  If money from the trust is used for food or shelter costs on a regular basis, or used for costs that would otherwise have been paid by the program, or distributed directly to the beneficiary, the payments may affect eligibility for those government benefits, either by reducing the benefit or completely eliminating the program benefit.  One of the Trustee's most important jobs is to exercise the Trustee's discretion to make distributions from the Special Needs Trust that will not jeopardize the beneficiary's eligibility to receive the maximum benefits available unless the Trustee determines that the benefit of making the distribution outweighs the loss or reduction in the benefit that the beneficiary would otherwise receive. 

If the beneficiary receives SSI, here are some basic expenses that should not be paid by a Special Needs Trust without consultation with an experienced attorney.

• Cash given directly to the beneficiary for any purpose
• Food or groceries
• Restaurant meals (except if given as an occasional gift)
• Rent or mortgage payments
• Property taxes
• Homeowners or condo association dues
• Homeowner's insurance if the insurance is a mortgage requirement
• Utilities such as electricity, gas, and water
• Utilities hookup or connection charges

For more information on Special Needs Trusts please click here. 

My grandson has autism and I would like to take him and his parents on a get-a-way for his birthday.  Any  ideas?

Vacation options for families with disabled children are limited.  One possibility is working with "Autism on the Seas."   Several cruise lines have developed programs for adults and families living with children with Special Needs such as Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and all Cognitive, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  "Autism on the Seas" website  will not only provide you with information on cruise lines providing these services, but it also has a link to an interesting article from the University of South Florida on air travel with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  For more information, please visit "Autism on the Seas" website at www.AutismontheSeas.com or call them at 1-800-516-5247.

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