Trusted Since 1972

A pooled trust is a special type of irrevocable supplemental needs trust where a not-for-profit trustee agrees to manage assets for the benefit of a person with a disability. This allows individuals to protect money to gain and maintain financial eligibility for means-tested government benefits, including Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Funds deposited into the trust help pay for items and services that are for the primary benefit of the trust beneficiary, such as monthly living expenses and life-enhancing purchases that a person's benefits typically do not provide.

In New York, the non-profit works with a financial institution who serves as co-trustee and manages investments. Separate sub-trust accounts are maintained for each trust beneficiary, however, funds are pooled for investment and management purposes.

The primary reason to establish a pooled trust is to protect funds so that a person can qualify and/or maintain financial eligibility for means-tested government benefits.

Pooled trusts allow people to reduce their countable income to qualify for Medicaid community services and home care so that they can live independently at home for as long as possible. Pooled trusts are also used to protect windfalls of money that would put a person over the limits to receive Medicaid or SSI benefits. This allows the individual to use the funds throughout their lifetime rather than having to spend them quickly to avoid an interruption or reduction in services.

You will also receive the benefits of working with a team of representatives who will assist you in using the funds in the trust account. NYSARC reviews each request individually to consider it's impact on government benefits and to spend funds wisely on life-enhancing purchases that are for your primary benefit.

Primary reasons to establish a pooled trust...

• Protect excess monthly income to qualify for Medicaid
• Preserve funds to avoid going over the limits for SSI or Medicaid
• Plan for the future of a loved one with a disability
• Safeguard funds to be spent appropriately and wisely
• Non-profit trust administration for families who do not wish to serve as trustee

By depositing your excess funds into a pooled trust, you can qualify and maintain financial eligibility for benefits and use the money in your trust account to pay for items and services that your benefits do not provide, such as monthly living expenses, uncovered medical costs, adaptive equipment, recreation, transportation, education, and other life-enhancing purchases.

You can deposit funds into the trust by electronic deposits from your bank account or by mailing a check.

When you wish to use the funds in your account, complete a disbursement request form and attach the appropriate documentation for the item or service you would like the trust to pay for. Certain fixed, recurring monthly expenses can be paid automatically on a scheduled day. To learn more, visit How it Works.

A pooled trust is easy and inexpensive to establish because approved trust documents are already in place. To get started, complete the Joinder Agreement (trust application) for the trust you would like to establish from Trust Documents.

For further instructions on where to send your application and initial deposit, visit How to Establish a Pooled Trust.

We are here to help guide you through the enrollment process. Please call customer service at (518) 439-8323 for assistance.

Review the Trust Comparison Chart or visit Our Trusts page for more information about each of our trust programs. If you have questions, please contact us and we will gladly help you determine the best trust for you or your loved one.