Helping people with disabilities protect benefit eligibility since 1972
PLEASE NOTE: The funding procedure for new accounts has changed. New accounts can now fund a trust by mailing a check directly to the bank or by a one-time electronic deposit. See instructions.
Helping people with disabilities protect benefit eligibility since 1972
The NYSARC Trust (Unrestricted Fund) is a third party special needs trust (SNT) funded by a parent, grandparent or other interested party who would like to provide secure funds to a loved one with an intellectual and/or developmental disability without jeopardizing his or her eligibility for means-tested government benefits.
If your child receives services through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicaid or may need benefits in the future, saving money can be a challenge because of the resource limits for those programs. Receiving even a small inheritance from someone could put your child over the limit and jeopardize his or her eligibility for services.
When planning for the future of a loved one with a disability, a special needs trust (SNT) can play a critical role in your child's financial future while helping to provide the best quality of life possible.
Early planning is critical because you never know when something could happen to you and even a small inheritance could reduce your loved one's benefits.
Third party special needs trusts are most often set up in a Will as part of your estate plan where the Donor names the trust as beneficiary of an inheritance, life insurance policy, other cash asset/s or monetary gifts. You can also establish a third party funded SNT during your lifetime if you have funds available now that you wish to gift to your loved one.
Download this resource guide for tips to help you prepare and questions to ask in your first meeting to talk about setting up a special needs trust for your loved one.
Contact us to learn more about setting up a NYSARC Trust (Unrestricted Fund) for your loved one.
NYSARC Trust Unrestricted Fund Documents
Upon the death of the trust beneficiary, the first $25,000 is transferred to NYSARC's Exempt Fund to support NYSARC’s unfunded Corporate Guardianship Program, which currently includes more than 700 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would otherwise have no legal guardian.
The remaining balance will be distributed as outlined in your trust document to remainder beneficiaries of your choice.
The Exempt Fund is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt fund that accepts donations and bequests. Your gift supports NYSARC, Inc.’s unfunded Corporate Guardianship Program, which provides guardianship services to people with intellectual and/or other developmental disabilities. Program services provide advocacy and daily support including ways to provide supplemental needs. Gifts or bequests to this fund are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
For more information or if you are interested in making a donation to support this fund, please contact us.
