Disability

How do I leave money to a disabled child without affecting their government benefits?

A special needs trust (also called a supplemental needs trust) allows you to leave assets for a disabled beneficiary without disqualifying them from government benefits like Medicaid or SSI. The trust pays for supplemental expenses like therapy, equipment, or recreation that government benefits don't cover, while the beneficiary maintains their eligibility for essential programs. You can fund these trusts through your will, living trust, or life insurance beneficiary designations. The key is ensuring the trust language meets specific legal requirements to avoid benefit conflicts.