What Can a Special Needs Trust Pay For?

West Palm Beach special needs and elder law attorney for more information.

Special Needs Trusts Can Be Used to Pay for a Much Wider Variety of Expenses Than Government Funds

Broadly, special needs trust funds can be used to pay for things like education, recreation, counseling, and medical treatment beyond the basic necessities of life.

Special needs trusts might cover, for example:

• Medical and dental treatment not otherwise covered
• Therapy or rehabilitation services
• Training and education
• Insurance
• Burial expenses
• Travel, including for companions
• A car
• A rideshare membership like Uber or Lyft
• A vacation
• A home
• Starting a business

Some of these things may seem like “luxuries,” but the reason for a special needs trust is to allow the beneficiary to keep some funds for expenses that go beyond what is required just to survive.

Special Needs Trusts Should Not Be Used to Duplicate Funding for Expenses Covered by Government Programs

Trustees and beneficiaries should be cautious of regularly using funds to pay for the following items without consulting a special needs attorney:

• Cash payouts directly to the beneficiary
• Food, groceries, or restaurant meals
• Rent or mortgage payments
• Property taxes
• Homeowners’ association dues
• Homeowner’s insurance (if required by the mortgage)
• Utilities like trash, water, power and gas

A special needs attorney can help a beneficiary or trustee determine if any of these payments are worthwhile and outweigh the drawbacks.

contact the seasoned, compassionate, and professional West Palm Beach trust and estates attorneys Shalloway & Shalloway at 561-686-6200.