ACT's Mission

Enhancing lives for brighter futures

Ardent Community Trust of Pennsylvania (ACT) has an extensive history in administering First Party, Third Party and Pooled Special Needs Trusts. Since 2001 when ACT was established, our trust administrators have endeavored to enhance the lives of beneficiaries while protecting their governmental benefits.

In effort to enhance the life and provide greater peace of mind to the beneficiary, their families and others responsible for their welfare, Ardent Community Trust of Pennsylvania’s mission is; to serve as trustee for a variety of special needs trusts with integrity and in a manner that exceeds best-practice fiduciary standards, protecting public benefits and financial assets for the beneficiary.

The ACT staff, leadership and board of directors look forward to working with you, and thanks you for taking the time to visit our website.

Helpful Info

Do you need a Special Needs Trust?

Reasons for a Special Needs Trust

A Special Needs Trust (SNT) can play an important role in a families plan for children with special needs. You any your loved one have options that can provide both independence and peace of mind. You may be wondering why should you establish a SNT or what are the benefits of establishing a SNT today. Additionally, you may have heard of the ABLE account program and are wondering if that option may be all you need. These are natural and great questions. ACT is here to assist you in your exploration and decision process. Below are links to some responses to these questions. Our desire to provide you information and resources through ACT’s website and from our knowledgeable and compassionate staff. If you have further questions or if you are unclear as to what a next step may be, please feel free to contact us directly.

Reasons for Establishing a Special Needs Trust

ABLE, SNT or Both?

PA ABLE

The “ABLE” account is a relatively new planning tool that offers an individual with disabilities a tax-free savings option (similar to a 529 College Savings Plan) that does not interfere with the individual’s eligibility for means-tested government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Special needs trusts (SNT’s) are well-established preservation tools that also protect eligibility for public programs.

Should you open an ABLE account or start a special needs Trust. That’s a good discussions and question to ask. But what can be more beneficial for your loved one and family is; How can I use both to maximize the benefit and impact of both options?

ACT Comparison-Guide-Trusts-and-ABLE-Accounts

An “Eligible Individual” Qualified To Have An ABLE Account Must Meet Two Requirements

1. You must have a qualifying disability. Demonstrated by one of the following:

- Entitlement to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on blindness or disability; or
- Entitlement to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits based on blindness or disability; or
- Self-certification of a similarly severe disability, if not entitled to SSI or SSDI. Demonstrated by the following:
  - Blindness as defined by the Social Security Act (SSA); or
  - A medically determinable physical or mental impairment with marked and severe function limitation that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 continuous months or result in death; and
  - Have a written disability-related diagnosis signed by a physician.
The qualifying disability must have started prior to age 26.

Setting up your PA ABLE account

There are just three easy steps to open a new account.

Read the Program Disclosure Statement
Choose the best Investment Option for you
Gather information
1. Residential street address
2. Social security or taxpayer identification number
3. Birth date
4. Your personal bank account number (to pre-schedule contributions from your personal checking or savings account)

LINK TO PA ABLE

Funding a Trust

Ways you may be able to fund a SNT

So you and your family are investigating establishing a Special Needs Trust (SNT) for a loved one, but are not sure where to start or what options may work for your family. You are not alone!

Select this link to see issues and funding scenarios that may work for you and your family or provide you with ideas that you may not have known about prior.

FUNDING SCENARIOS

What can be Purchased?

What can a SNT pay for?

A special needs trust is designed to cover the expenses of goods and services that are supplemental to a beneficiary’s basic needs (food and shelter). Basic food and shelter expenses should be provided through a beneficiary’s Social Security Disability payment or Supplemental Security Income. In addition, if a Third-Party Trust is established the creator (settlor) of the trust can establish limitations or requirements for the beneficiary in effort to assist them preserve the funds and protect the beneficiary.

Generally speaking, the Trust is the directing document that guides the Trust Administrator in distributing funds. On ACT’s Trust Distribution Page you will discover FAQ’s including a list of allowable uses of a SNT. Please keep in mind that the Trustee by law must have absolute discretion in reviewing requests for distributions. Therefore, you should not view this or any list as guarantees. Your trust document may also contain specific language regarding distributions.

Allowable Uses of SNT

ACT’S Services

Day-to-Day Services

Our day-to-day special needs trust services include, but are not limited to:

Supervising all aspects of the trust and at all times acting in the beneficiary’s best interests;
Offering a line of defense against undue influence from existing friends or family, outside caregivers, and new friends who may suddenly appear once a trust is funded;
Abiding by the terms of the trust and reviewing each distribution against a standard of “reasonableness”;
Taking custody of cash, maintaining transactional records for receipts and disbursements, preparing tax letters and tax returns for the trust, issuing account statements and providing accounting’s as required by the court as well as other outside authorities;
Monitoring and reviewing the performance of the investment manager and making changes that are in the best interests of the beneficiary;
Coordinating the payment of bills and expenses, and taking charge to follow through on implementing many of the services outlined in a care plan for the beneficiary;
Maintaining relationships with other service providers in an effort to contain costs, including public benefit agencies and medical cost containment companies;
Determining if it is necessary to purchase a vehicle or house and identifying the specific needs as well as coordinating the purchase;
Coordinating payroll for caregivers recommended by a case manager, if such services are not provided by a private agency or Medicaid; and
Supporting the implementation of recommendations made by a case manager to enable the beneficiary to receive the highest quality of care.

Glossary of Terms

Glossary of SNT Terms

In almost every area of life and business individuals and professionals use terms and abbreviations that they assume everyone knows there meaning. It typically makes those trying to figure out what’s being said and what is being referenced at a disadvantage. To assist you ACT has accumulated a list of Trust terms and their meanings. We know there are terms being created everyday and we will try to keep the list current. We hope this helps you with your search.

Special Needs Trust Glossary of Terms

Contact ACT Today

If you have questions, need guidance or would like to speak to an ACT staff member about a specific issue, please send us an email through our contact form. ACT also is able to provide organizations and groups speakers on a variety of Trust and Trust related topics. Simply contact us and we are happy to make the appropriate arrangements. We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact the ACT

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ACT’s Mission

Enhancing lives for brighter futures

Helpful Info

An “Eligible Individual” Qualified To Have An ABLE Account Must Meet Two Requirements

Setting up your PA ABLE account

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