Special needs trusts are established for the benefit of disabled individuals and supplement the means-tested government benefits the person receives through their lifetime, like SSI, Medicaid, or a Medicaid Waiver. In order to maintain their government benefits, individuals cannot have “noncountable” assets valued at more than $2,000. Even if they received an inheritance and tried to give it away; there would be a varying period of ineligibility because they would have to use it for their personal medical expenses. The individual could try to pay for their care themselves, but any inheritance would likely be drained rather quickly due to high medical expenses. They can’t give the assets away, because a penalty period would apply. Read more