How Can I Leave Assets to a Special Needs Child Without Them Losing Benefits?

Protecting Your Loved One: Special Needs Trusts and Government Benefits

This is a really important question for any parent or loved one of a child (minor or adult) with special needs. When they reach adulthood, they may be entitled to state or federal government benefits, which can be a lifeline when you are no longer around to support and protect them.

Many of those programs, however, are means tested. That means if your child has too many assets, they may not be able to receive the benefits. A bequest meant to help them financially could end up leaving them ineligible for programs that can help them in many ways.

There is a way to do this, through a special needs trust, that can allow a trusted adult to manage their funds and look after them while still allowing them to participate in government programs.

Learn more here about special needs trusts.