Maintain your benefits for the supports you need. Keep your assets for the life you choose.
Helping people with disabilities keep their assets and live their most meaningful lives, while maintaining eligibility for NY State means-tested government benefits like Medicaid and SSI.
Supplemental Needs Trusts
A person with a qualified disability in NYS can keep their assets for personal use and enjoyment without jeopardizing their benefit eligibility.
Life Enrichment
The ability to shelter additional funds in a SNT means the freedom and independence to vacation, supplement housing, enjoy entertainment and other recreational activities benefits may not cover.
Why a Pooled (Community) Supplemental Needs Trust?
While benefits like NY State Medicaid support residential, health, and safety needs for individuals in NY State with disabilities, the ability to shelter additional funds in a community trust means the freedom and independence to vacation, supplement rent, enjoy entertainment and other recreational, life-enhancing activities that benefits do not cover.
Administering a Special or Supplemental Needs Trust can be more complicated than managing other trusts.
With a Pooled (aka Community) Trust, a non-profit organization acts as Trustee. They handle investing funds, making payments, paying taxes, and keeping detailed financial records. This involves understanding government regulations and programs, including specific rules about using supplemental needs assets. Failing to follow these rules can result in losing eligibility for government benefits based on financial need.
Beneficiaries maintain their own private sub-accounts for personal needs. The trustee “pools” the sub-accounts together for management and investment purposes, allowing for greater diversity and lower administrative cost.
A Few Highlights of our
Community Supplemental Needs Trust
About Us
My Choice Trust
My Choice Trust is sponsored by Coordinated Care Alliance NY (CCANY), a Management Service Organization born out of the collaboration of two NY State 501 (c)(3) non-profit Care Coordination Organizations – LIFEPlan CCO and ACA/NY.
Together, these Care Coordination Organizations, also known as CCOs, provide responsive, high-quality Care Management Services and support for more than 45,000 individuals with intellectual and/or other developmental disabilities throughout 48 counties in NY State.
Person with a qualifying disability wishes to apply for means-tested government benefits, like NYS Medicaid.
Government benefits fund shelter, medical and dental care, assistive devices, programs and more.
To qualify for and maintain eligibility for these benefits, one must not exceed restrictive asset limits.
If one needs to shelter assets above benefit limits in order to qualify for or maintain these benefits, there are options.
Disbursements from the SNT can be requested for the sole benefit of the beneficiary to supplement items that benefits do not cover.
Trust Overview
Understanding Supplemental Needs Trusts (SNT)
Anyone eligible for means-tested government benefits, that has or will be receiving assets above the eligibility limits, can quickly and easily open an account, protect these funds to utilize throughout their lifetime, and avoid denial or interruption of benefits.
- To qualify for NYS Medicaid and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits, one must have a qualifying disability as defined by the Social Security Administration.
- Additionally, there are limits to the amount of money one can have in their name.
- If someone should acquire additional resources that puts them above these limits, they would be in danger of losing these benefits.
- Opening a supplemental needs trust account would enable one to shelter these excess resources and keep them safe for personal and recreational use throughout their lifetime. They can supplement services they are receiving through government benefits, and still maintain eligibility for benefits.
| Medicaid Resource Limits 2024 |
Monthly Income | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | <$1,732 | <$31,175 |
| Married Both Applying | <$2,351 | <$42,312 |
| Married One Applying (Applicant) | <$1,732 | <$31,175 |
| Married One Applying (Non-Applicant) |
<$2,351 | <$42,312 |
| SSI Resource Limits 2024 |
Monthly Income |
Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | <$1,971 | <$2,000 |
| Married – Combined | <$2,915 | <$3,000 |
*SSI does not factor separate limits or benefits for married couples
Sheltering additional funds in a trust means the freedom and independence to vacation, enjoy entertainment and other recreational activities that benefits do not cover, and now qualify for the Medicare Savings Program (at least $164.90 monthly).
*For information on eligibility and qualifications for NYS Medicaid please visit New York State Department of Health or the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
*For Supplemental Security Income qualifications, please see SSA.gov.
*For information on Supports and Services available to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in NYS, please visit the Knowledge Center.
Benefits of a Community (aka Pooled) Trust
- Managed by non-profit organizations, with a financial institution as co-trustee.
- While each beneficiary retains their own sub-account of assets, the sub-accounts are “pooled” for managing and investment purposes.
- The pooled management of accounts enables highly skilled trustees to combine and manage resources cost-effectively, resulting in lower administrative costs to the beneficiaries.
- When many sub-accounts are managed together, they have access to a wider array of investment opportunities, including greater diversification, which can reduce risk.
- Documents already drafted and approved by Medicaid and SSA.
- Hold assets for exemption from limits to be used as needed for items not covered by Medicaid.
- Managed by individuals who are well versed in special needs planning, keep abreast of changing benefit rules and are knowledgeable about local services.
- If an individual with disabilities has no living parent or grandparent, the opportunity to utilize a pooled trust as opposed to working with the courts may be preferable.
Benefits of the Empowered Abilities Community Trust (in addition to the above)
- There are no age limitations.
- Minimum funding to open an account is $250.
- Ability set up more than one trust.
- Once the Joinder Agreement is completed in full, notarized, and submitted, the enrollment process typically takes approximately 1 week.
- Available throughout NY State
*NOTE Any funds remaining in the account after the passing of the beneficiary will be retained by the trust for the sole purpose of supporting other individuals with disabilities.
Disbursements
Funds sheltered in supplemental needs community trusts are intended to supplement the supports and services covered by NY State Medicaid, SSI, or other means-tested government programs. They are intended to enhance the life of the beneficiary and therefore, disbursements should be requested for direct payment to third parties for items not otherwise covered by government benefits. All disbursement requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. Approval is at the discretion of the trustees.
Requests must meet the guidelines below:
- Must benefit the account Beneficiary.
- Must be accompanied by a bill or invoice in the name of the Beneficiary.
- Invoices must be clear and indicate that the service is for the Beneficiary.
- Must be for a legitimate business.
- Must have incurred within 90 days of the request submission.
Once all of the above items are in order:
- Complete the appropriate Disbursement Form (one time or automatic) from the document library on our site.
- Submit by either option below.
MAIL: Download, print, and mail the completed form with the supporting invoice and/or documentation to:
My Choice Trust
258 Genesee Street, Mezzanine Level Utica, NY 13502
EMAIL: Download the completed and saved form and email this form, along with the supporting invoice(s) and/or documentation to:
Request@MyChoiceTrust.org
Where To Begin
Steps to Establishing a Sub-Account
Establishing a sub-account for the My Choice Trust can be handled in a few simple steps as outlined below.
To participate in a Community SNT, the Beneficiary must have a qualifying disability as defined by Social Security. If you are not yet receiving government benefits like SSDI, SSI or Medicaid based on disability, you may need to request disability determination through Medicaid.
Joinder Agreement
- Complete the Joinder Agreement in full, sign, date and have notarized.
- If signed by Guardian or POA, a copy of the legal document granting authority must be included.
Supporting Documentation
- Copy of Beneficiary’s Social Security Card, along with SSA Award Letter, or SSA 1099.
- Copies of any Guardianship or POA paperwork.
- If the account creation is due to a court order, submit a copy of the order.
- Minimum $250 to fund the account. (see below)
Mail or Email Packet
- Mail to My Choice Trust 258 Genesee St. Mezzanine Level, Utica, NY 13502
- Or Email to Intake@MyChoiceTrust.org
Funding the account by check or money order:
- Submit the above information by mail or email
- Mail only the check and the “New Account Deposit Slip” found in our documents section) directly to the bank at: TBD
Funding the account with and electronic deposit:
- Gather the above information as directed.
- Include a completed electronic deposit slip found on our website in the documents section.
- Mail or email all items as directed is step 3 above.
Once you have an Established Sub-Account
A member of our team will contact you to welcome you to the My Choice Trust Family.
We will review the process, walk you through establishing an online portal, if you wish, to view your account at any time, explain online deposits and disbursement requests, and any other items you wish to discuss.
FAQ’s
Helpful Resource Links
Contact Us
Representatives are available to speak with you Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
If we are not able to take your call, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
You can also reach us by email at the address below.
We look forward to hearing from you.