Illinois Estate Planning and Elder Law Blog
Special Needs Trusts allow a disabled individual to receive lawsuit settlements, gifts and other funds while retaining eligibility for government programs. They are designed not to provide basic support, but to pay for things like education, recreation, counseling and medical attention.
Special needs can include medical and dental expenses, special equipment (such as vans for the disabled), training and education, insurance, transportation, special dietary needs, spending money, electronic equipment, computers, vacations, movies and payments for a companion.
In her article, Meeting Special Needs and the Need for Peace of Mind, New York Times writer Hillary Chura points out the many advantages to establishing special needs trusts. Ms. Chura writes,