Public benefits programs alone can never meet all the needs of an individual with disabilities; for this reason, preservation of assets in a special needs trust is often preferable to spending down excess income and assets to program limits.
Individuals with disabilities often depend on public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medical Assistance (also known as Medicaid). These programs have strict limits on income and assets. For example, countable assets cannot exceed $2,000.00 for SSI. If the individual acquires income or assets in excess of program limits, such as an inheritance or an insurance settlement, he or she may lose benefits unless or until the assets are spent down or preserved in a special needs trust which meets the SSI and Medicaid rules.
It is the mission of the First Maryland Disability Trust, Inc., to enhance the quality of life, autonomy and dignity of Marylanders with disabilities by offering cost effective trust services to protect, manage and use trust assets for our beneficiaries while preserving their eligibility for public and private benefits.
