Future Planning

Special Needs Trust & Able Accounts

Trillium has been highlighting healthy opportunities in our communities for years. We focus on employment, housing and more through work with other local agencies around Eastern North Carolina. We share with our members how they can improve unmet health-related resource needs: factors beyond the physical aspects that contribute to overall health.

The Future Planning project provides education and funding to set up accounts to support members after the death of a primary caregiver, and/or assist members with saving money for their future through special types of accounts.

By working with our contracted attorneys in the Trillium region, we schedule a consultation and information session. During the consultation, families will learn about the differences between Special Needs Trusts and NC ABLE Accounts. The attorneys we work with know about these accounts and all areas of estate planning. Estate planning is the process of naming who will get your belongings and any money after death. They can help guide families toward a plan that will work for their specific situation.

Trillium will pay attorney fees for the consultation and the Special Needs Trust (SNT) or NC ABLE account draft paperwork. In addition to setting up an SNT/ABLE account, some families may decide to do other estate planning services with the attorney. They may do so independently with the attorney at their own decision.

At the Future Planning consultation, attorneys will:

• Help families with drafting and setting up Special Needs Trusts and/or ABLE accounts. 
• Work with families of members with Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and/or mental health conditions that require long-term care, and who are receiving services managed by Trillium.
• Offer services including education about and/or completion of a Special Needs Trust or NC ABLE account at no cost to members and their families/guardians.

Future Planning can assist members in other situations to include: 

• Members who have a settlement because of an accident or personal injury. 
• Members who receive an asset or inheritance through a family member.
• Members who are a beneficiary of a will that was not prepared through a trust.
• Members who receive unplanned gifts upon the passing of a family member or natural support.
• Members who are working and want to save for the future.

It is important to plan ahead for your future. Without the correct planning, a loved one could have to repay Medicaid benefits and this could count against them in qualifying for future benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits. They could also potentially lose government benefits such as Food Stamps/SNAP or Section 8 housing.

To apply for Future Planning financial assistance, members must meet the following conditions:

• be three years of age or older;
• have an Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and/or mental health condition that requires long term care/support;
• be a Trillium eligible member
• complete the necessary application (linked below)

Resources and more information:

• NC ABLE
• An Introduction to ABLE Accounts
• Special Needs Answers
  • Financial Planning
  • Should 529 Funds Be Transferred to an ABLE Account?
• NC ABLE Lunch & Learn Webinar
  • Presentation
  • Webinar recorded (you will need to register to see the webinar)
• Students on SSI May Be Able to Earn Extra Income Without a Benefit Reduction