New Mexico Special Needs Trust Information

special needs trust is established to prevent people from losing benefits from certain government programs after receiving a settlement. An influx of wealth can make one ineligible for benefits from Supplementary Security Income (SSI), Veterans Aid and Attendance, Medicaid, and government housing. A special needs trust supplements but does not replace, these benefits by paying for non-covered services or equipment. Below are the applicable laws to establishing a special needs trust in New Mexico.

Federal Law

U.S. Code Section 1396p.(d)(4)(A).
(4) This subsection shall not apply to any of the following trusts:
(A) A trust containing the assets of an individual under age 65 who is disabled (as defined in section 1382c(a)(3) of this title) and which is established for the benefit of such individual by the individual, a parent, grandparent, legal guardian of the individual, or a court if the State will receive all amounts remaining in the trust upon the death of such individual up to an amount equal to the total medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual under a State plan under this subchapter. Full text

New Mexico Law

NMAC 8.281.510.11 RECOGNIZED MEDICAID TRUSTS: The trust provisions set forth in Section 8.281.510.9.

NMAC and Section 8.281.510.10 NMAC shall not apply to the following trusts so long as the trust document meets all the requirements set forth in this section.

Special needs trusts: A special needs trust is a trust containing the assets of a disabled

applicant/recipient established and funded prior to the time the disabled applicant/recipient reaches the age of 65 and which is established for the sole benefit of the disabled applicant/recipient by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian of the disabled applicant/recipient, or a court. A trust established on or after December 13, 2016, by an individual (i.e. the trust beneficiary) with a disability under age 65 for his or her own benefit can qualify as a special needs trust, conferring the same benefits as a special needs trust set up by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or court. To qualify as a special needs trust, the trust shall contain the following provisions.