Guidance For Trustees of Special Needs Trusts

Families caring for a person with a disability make many decisions that affect benefits, quality of life, and financial security. Good information reduces stress and helps you avoid costly mistakes. The Special Needs Alliance website provides reliable information, and its updated Handbook for Trustees is a practical guide for anyone managing a Special Needs Trust.

Why this resource matters

The site offers short, practical articles on common questions, such as what a trust may pay for, how distributions interact with SSI, and what records a trustee should keep. It also provides updates when federal or state policies shift. If you are new to serving as trustee, it reads like a roadmap. If you have experience, it works as a quick reference when something unusual comes up.

The Handbook for Trustees, and how it helps day to day

If you have been named as the trustee of a special needs trust, you likely have many questions about how to administer the trust. You can get many of the answers you need in the Special Needs Alliance Guidebook for Special Needs Trustee.

This excellent guide provides definitions of unfamiliar words, distinguishes self-settled special needs trusts from third-party special needs trusts, discusses the types of distributions that can be made without jeopardizing government benefits, and outlines the trustee’s duties.

The Handbook for Trustees is useful because it’s updated each year to reflect current laws and benefit program rules. It helps Trustees understand:

• The types of distributions that can be made without affecting eligibility for benefits
• How to maintain good records
• How to communicate effectively with the beneficiary and their caregivers
• When to seek professional advice about tax or investment questions

It’s a reliable reference even if you are working closely with an attorney.

You can download a free copy of Special Needs Alliance Guidebook for Special Needs Trustee by clicking on the link.