Special Needs Trust

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) allows for a disabled person to maintain his or her eligibility for public assistance benefits, despite having assets that would otherwise make the person ineligible for those benefits. There are two types of SNTs: First Party and Third Party funded.

First party SNTs are funded with assets that belong to the trust beneficiary or to which the beneficiary was legally entitled (e.g., assets from an award or settlement, etc.). These trusts must include federal and state provisions, which require notice and payback to the State upon the death of the trust beneficiary or earlier termination of the trust. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required to recover up to an amount equal to the total medical assistance paid by Medi-Cal on the trust beneficiary’s behalf. 

First party SNTs are classified as either (d)(4)(A) SNTs which are established under 42 USC 1396p(d)(4)(A) or  Pooled SNTs established under 42 USC 1396p(d)(4)(C) :

• A (d)(4)(A) SNT can only be established for a disabled individual under the age of 65.
• A Pooled Trust can be established for a disabled individual of any age, and must be established and managed by a non-profit association.  A separate account is maintained for each beneficiary, but funds are “pooled” together for investment purposes.

Third party SNTs are funded with assets belonging to a person other than the trust beneficiary, and to which the beneficiary never had possession or legal interest.  Third party trusts are not subject to recovery by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

 Contact Information

Phone: (916) 650-0490

Fax: (916) 440-5231               

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