Free US Law Dictionary

Supplemental Needs Trust

A Supplemental Needs Trusts is a US-specific term for a type of special needs trust (an internationally recognised term). Supplemental needs trusts are compliant with provisions of United States (federal and state) law and are designed to provide benefits to, and protect the assets of, physically disabled or mentally disabled persons and still allow such persons to be qualified for and receive governmental health care benefits, especially long-term nursing care benefits, under the Medicaid welfare program. Supplemental or Special Needs Trusts are frequently used to receive an inheritance or personal injury litigation proceeds on behalf of a disabled person in order to allow the person to qualify for Medicaid benefits.