Family resources
Some of the resources
Hattie Larlham offers are designed to provide
information or benefit to families as well
as people with disabilities. These resources
can help provide a variety of needs or provide
insight into a complicated matter.
For information about
other resource organizations, visit the
links section.
Trust Accounts for Ohioians with Disabilities
A trust account is an
excellent way for a person with a disability
(the beneficiary) to keep his or her money
and safeguard eligibility for current or
future means-tested government benefits,
like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income
(SSI).
 To
provide this service, Hattie Larlham partnered
with Community
Fund Management Foundation (CFMF). As
a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, CFMF
establishes and administers trust programs
for Ohioans with disabilities.
After the trust account
is set up, the trustee, U.S. Bank, holds
the funds in the trust. A designated advocate,
typically a parent or guardian, requests
money from the account for certain needs
(supplementary services) for the beneficiary.
These requests are reviewed by CFMF, the
trust advisor, to help safeguard benefits.
Ohio law defines supplemental
services as items or services not paid for
by a government entity that improve the
quality of life for a person with disabilities.
This supplements government benefits and
does not duplicate them. Examples of supplemental
services would include cable television,
computers, Internet service, magazine subscriptions,
experimental or elective surgery and special
therapies or adaptive equipment not available
through Medicaid or other government programs.
A fee is charged to open
a trust account. Accounts that reach the
level for distributions are subject to CFMF
and trustee administration fees. A consultation
with an attorney should address individual
situations and circumstances to determine
whether a trust is appropriate and what
type of trust should be established. The
trust documents are the controlling legal
documents and must be reviewed and signed
by a licensed attorney.
Contact
Stuart J. Kleiner, J.D., Associate Director of Planned Giving
phone: 330.274.2272, ext. 3147
e-mail: stuart.kleiner@hattielarlham.org |
