Special Needs Trusts (SNT)

Special Needs Trusts (SNT) A. A Special Needs Trust (SNT) contains the assets of an individual under age sixty-five (65) who is disabled and which is established for the sole benefit of the disabled individual by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian of the individual, or a court. B. To qualify for an exception to the rules governing trusts, the SNT must contain a provision stating that, upon the death of the individual or upon termination of the trust for any other reason, the MS Division of Medicaid receives all amounts remaining in the trust, up to an amount equal to the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual. C. When a SNT is established for a disabled individual under age sixty-five (65), the SNT exception for the trust continues even after the individual becomes age sixty-five (65). However, a SNT cannot be added to or otherwise augmented after the disabled individual reaches age sixty-five (65). Any such addition or augmentation after age sixty-five (65) involves assets that were not the assets of an individual under age sixty-five (65) and therefore, those assets are not subject to the SNT exception. D. A SNT must be established for a disabled individual, as defined under the SSI Program in section 1614(a)(3). When the individual in question is receiving either Title II or SSI benefits as a disabled individual, the disability determination made for those programs is accepted. If the individual is not receiving SSI or title II based on disability, a determination concerning the individual’s disability must be made. If disability is not established using SSI criteria, the SNT exception cannot apply. E. Establishment of a SNT as described above does not constitute a transfer of assets for less than fair market value if the transfer is made into a trust established solely for the benefit of a disabled individual under age sixty-five (65). However, if the trust is not solely for the benefit of the disabled person or if the disabled person is over age sixty-five (65) at the time the SNT is established, transfer penalties may apply.