Page 19 - Senior Times South Central Michigan October 2022 - 29-10

ANSWER: Yes, leaving your grand- son money may disqualify him from his SSI and Medicaid benefits as he can only have a maximum of $2,000.
I see this quite often. It can really cre- ate a problem because he will lose his Medicaid, which is his health insur- ance. With the cost of health care these days, one trip to the doctor could cost him all of his inheritance and leave him owing money to the doctor. Also, once his inheritance is down below $2,000 he will have to reapply and requalify for SSI and Medicaid. That can sometimes take a long time.
The hallmark of this trust is that the trustee has full discretion to spend the money pretty much however he or she sees fit, as long as it is for your grand- son’s benefit. The only thing the trust- ee cannot spend the money on is food, clothing, or shelter. Since your grand- son has no legal right to withdraw any of the money, a governmental agency (SSI or Medicaid) will not be able to count the Special Needs Trust as part of your grandson’s assets. This way your money will be used to help your grandson enjoy his life and still keep receiving his public benefits. I am sure he will greatly appreciate the gift from his grandparents.
You can avoid all of these pitfalls by creating a Special Needs Trust.
A Special Needs Trust can be part
of your regular estate planning trust. However, the distribution for your grandson will go into the Special Needs Trust instead of going to him outright like the other beneficiaries. The Special Needs Trust holds the money for his benefit. You will appoint a trustee for the Special Needs Trust who will use the funds to improve your grandson’s quality of life. However, your grandson will not have any rights to the funds; it is purely at the discretion of the trustee to make any distributions. The Special Needs Trust can be used to pay for uninsured medical or dental treatments. It can pay for private rehabilitation, school- ing, and recreation. It can cover ball
I would contact an estate planning attorney who handles Special Needs Trusts. If you don’t have your own trust yet, now is the time to set it up and make the Special Needs Trust part of your trust. That way, your estate will be easier for all of your beneficia- ries.
Ask the
Senior Times - October 2022
Page 19
Calhoun County Senior Millage
Benefits Counseling
(517) 629-3842 - Albion (800) 803-7174 - Battle Creek (269) 781-0846 - Marshall
Community Care Options
(269) 441-0948
Dental Services
(269) 781-0952
Handy Helper Services & Bed Bug Remediation (866) 200-8877
Hearing & Vision Services
(269) 441-0964
Home Heating Assistance
(269) 965-7766
Legal Assistance
(800) 688-3951
Meal Delivered / Meal Sites
(866) 200-8877
Minor Home Repair
(877) 422-2726
Money Management
(269) 788-1678
Personal Emergency Response
(269) 441-0930
Prescription Assistance
(269) 781-0952
Ramps for Accessibility
(866) 200-8877
Senior Fitness & Fun
(269) 441-0948
Senior Transportation
(269) 565-4144
All services are funded by the citizens of Calhoun County through support of the Senior Millage. Services are available to any County resident, age 60 and over. Some programs may have additional eligibility requirements.
315 West Green St. Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-0846
www.calhouncountymi.gov
ATTORNEY
Michael Walling, Special to Senior Times
SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
QUESTION: We are including our grandson in our estate when we die. He is disabled and is receiving SSI and Medicaid. Will his inheritance from us disqualify him from his dis- ability benefits? Is there anything we can do?
Legal Advice
games, camping trips, roller blades, pizza parties, vitamins, or even a travel companion. The money can assist him in reaching his maximum potential and quality of life and then eventually pay for his funeral. These are all "extras" he cannot afford on poverty level SSI income and Medicaid alone.
Michael B. Walling is an Elder Law attorney with an advance Master of Laws degree. He manages The Elder Law Center and the law firm of Michael B. Walling, PLC. Mr. Walling is also a part-time Professor at Western Michigan University. Please email any questions you would like addressed to: info@wallingplc.com. This column is intended for general information purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice to any particular person.
Your Partner in Health, Support, and Fun!
Senior Fitness & Fun!
Free & Open to the Public Age 60 & Older!
Exercises Anyone Can Do!
Stretching • Flexibility • Balance and Strength Building Nurse Provided Health Screenings
Blood Pressures • Blood Sugars • Pulse Ox • Medication Mngmnt • Wellness Education Locations • Days • Times
BattleCreekWoodlandChurch.......Mon–10am AthensLighthouseEventCenter .....Wed–10am
LeroyTownshipHall................Mon–11am MarshallTrinityEpiscopalChurch.....Wed–1pm
Homer1stPresbyterianChurch.......Tu–9:30am AlbionForksSeniorCenter..........Th–9:30am
Battle Creek Trinity Neighbor. Cntr. . . . Tu– Call Battle Creek Kingdom Builder. . . . . . . . Wed–10am
UrbandaleChristUnitedMethodist ...Th–Call New Class - KEEP MOVIN’!
Hickory Hills Village, 10450 6 Mile Rd., Battle Creek ... Tuesdays 10am
(Note: Keep Movin’ exercise is without nurse screenings)
SIGN UP TODAY! CALL 269.441.0948
Tai Chi Classes* Locations • Days
Homer Public Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mon LeroyTownshipHall.............. Mon Kingdom Builders, Battle Creek . . . . Tu
United Methodist Church, Marshall. . Wed TrinityEpiscopalChurch,Marshall .. Th *Must Preregister, Call 269.986.1583
Support Groups
Group
Parkinson’s Caregivers Healthy Eating
Day/Time
2nd Thurs. 4:30–6:00pm 3rd Thurs. 1:00–2:30pm 2nd Thurs. 10:30–11:30am
Locations
North Avenue Church of God, 1079 North Avenue, BC
Senior Health Partners Office BC Family YMCA, 28 Penn St., BC Forks Senior Center,
101 N Albion St, Albion
Contact
Anne Clark 269.986.3135 Anne Clark 269.986.3135 Kim Martinez 269.986.2856
The Senior Fitness and Fun program is funded by the Calhoun County Senior Millage.
for Seniors
By: Anna Moss, Managing Attorney
The Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested seniors. For more information call (269) 965-3951.
• Tuesday, October 4, 2-4pm, Bedford Manor, 100 S. Bedford Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Covid Protocols will be in place.
• Tuesday, October 11, 10-11am, Sturgis Senior Center, 306 N. Franks Avenue, Sturgis, MI 49091.
• Wednesday, October 19, 10-11am, Forks Senior Center, 101 N. Albion Street, Albion, MI 49224. COVID protocols will be in place.
• Wednesday, October 26, 11am-12pm, Marshall House, 200 E. Spruce, Marshall, MI. COVID protocols will be in place.
• Under New Management
• Serving Seniors of Low Income • Secured Entry
• Fresh & Healthy Meals Daily
• Full time LPN and MA
• Medication Management • Activities & Entertainment • Beautician Available
True Care Living • 565 General Ave., Springfield, MI • 49037 • (269) 968-3365
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