A 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 Oklahoma.
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
Oklahoma Law
OAC 317:35-5-41.6. Trust accounts.
Monies held in trust for an individual applying for or receiving SoonerCare must have the availability of the funds determined. Funds held in trust are considered available when they are under the direct control of the individual or his/her spouse, and disbursement is at their sole discretion. Funds may also be held in trust and under the control of someone other than the individual or his/her spouse, such as the courts, agencies, other individuals, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
(4) Trust accounts established on or before August 10, 1993. The rules found in (A) – (C) of this paragraph apply to trust accounts established on or before August 10, 1993.
(C) Special needs trusts. Some trusts may provide that trust benefits are intended only for a beneficiary’s “special needs” and require the trustee to take into consideration the availability of public benefits and resources, including SoonerCare benefits. Some trusts may provide that the trust is not to be used to supplant or replace public benefits, including SoonerCare benefits. If a trust contains such terms and is not an MQT, the trust is not an available resource.
