Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Medicaid?  Is it the same thing as Medical Assistance?  How is it different from Medicare?  

Click here for more information.

2. What is SSI?  What is SSDI?  How are they different?

Click here for more information.

3. If I am receiving government supports and services, what limits are there on income and assets I can have?

Different government programs have different rules.  You need to check the administrators of your programs for all the rules.  But as a general matter:

• SSD and Medicare are entitlement programs.  Income and asset limits do not apply.
• SSI and Medicaid are needs based programs.  If you have income of over [approximately $800 for x consecutive months] OR “available” assets of over $2,000, you will not be eligible for SSI.  If you are a Pennsylvania resident and are not receiving SSI, you can be eligible for Medicaid if you are receiving or applying for Waiver Services (Click here for more information), have income of less than {$940 for x consecutive months} and have “available assets” of less than $8,000.
• Children under the age of 21 in Pennsylvania are eligible for Medicaid regardless of family income.  Eligibility for SSI, however, is affected by family income.

4. What is an “available asset”?

The Social Security Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare have very detailed rules on what is an “available asset”.  As a general matter, all assets that you own are “available” with several important exceptions.

Examples of available assets:
Savings and checking accounts, savings bonds, IRAs, 401(k) plans, investments, cash surrender value of life insurance policies

Examples of important exceptions:
Primary residence, one car used for doctors’ appointments or work, household goods

People with disabilities are allowed to be beneficiaries of certain kinds of “special needs trusts” and still receive government supports and services.  Assets in three kinds of trusts can be used to supplement government supports and services, enhancing the quality of a person’s life.  The three kinds of trusts are:  Pooled Trust, Common Law Trust, and Payback Trust.

5. Someone told me I should disown my child with disabilities so that he does not lose his government supports and services.  Is that right?

No.  You can plan for your child’s future by placing assets in a Pooled Trust, a Common Law Trust or a Payback Trust.

6. I have two children.  One has a disability.  Someone told me I should leave everything to the child without a disability and tell her to use half for the child with a disability.  Is that right?

No.  You can use a Pooled Trust, a Common Law Trust or a Payback Trust to provide for your child with a disability.  Your child can serve a trustee when using a Common Law Trust or a Payback Trust - either alone or together with ACHEIVA Family Trust.  ACHIEVA Family Trust can assist with advocacy services and traditional trustee services (investments, disbursements, tax reporting).

7. Don’t I need a lot of money to set up a trust?

No.  $500 is enough to establish a trust with ACHIEVA Family Trust.

8. I have a disability.  I received an inheritance that will cause me to lose my benefits.  What can I do?

You can place the inheritance in a Pooled Trust.  The assets will not be “available” and will not “count” against your asset limit.  ACHIEVA Family Trust, as trustee, uses assets in the Pooled Trust to supplement the supports and services you receive from the government.

Back to Family Trust Resources