Trust Services
PLAN of PA serves as the fiduciary of a Special Needs Trust (SNT). SNT’s serve to assist the beneficiary in maintaining benefits for which s/he is eligible and utilizing those Trust funds to supplement his/her benefits. In this role, we engage a full range of legal, financial and other professional entities including all administrative bodies in charge of allocating government benefits. Here are some of the ways we fulfill our duties as trustee:
Collaborating with legal professionals to develop a solid Trust document and carry out the intentions of that Trust to support the beneficiary over his or her lifetime.
Engaging financial teams to develop investment strategies that prioritize immediate needs while reserving funds critical for the future.
Liaising with tax professionals to complete annual taxes and advantage the beneficiary within existing tax law.
Maintaining a healthy connection to administrative bodies charged with allocation and monitoring of government benefits such as Social Security, Medical Assistance and key waivers that can and must be utilized to preserve set-aside assets in the trust.
The development of a Trust Plan delineating in more detail how the trust will be used. While the Trust document provides for a breadth of possibilities over the beneficiaries lifetime, the Trust Plan focuses on the most likely ways in which the trust will be utilized to benefit the person.
Annual Reviews to update the Trust plan. This effort evaluates investment performance and strategies, current expenses, budget and goals for the past year and upcoming years. The Annual Review includes a team of diverse expertise to form a circle of support and resources for the beneficiary.
Directing insurance professionals, banking institutions, auto dealerships, mechanics and contractors of all professional capacities to advocate for the beneficiary, preserve trust owned property and assets and assist the beneficiary in such dealings as appropriate.
As fiduciary, we fulfill our mission by partnering with the beneficiary and his or her support system so that Trust funds are used to support the beneficiary to live a happier, healthier, more meaningful life. We carefully evaluate all possible uses of the Trust funds to determine which disbursements will make the most positive impact on the beneficiaries’ life.
Sometimes our Trust beneficiary’s receive Care Management and/or Representative Payee services in addition to Trust Services. While all our trust clients do not receive Care Management services, these services are readily available through our fully integrated Care Management team.
get a free phone consultation by filling out our inquiry form.
Why choose PLAN of PA as your Trustee?
PLAN of PA was started by families who had a family member diagnosed with a Mental Illness or Intellectual Disability. This history instills within us a passion to use the Trust funds as you would have wanted, positioning your loved one to live a happier, healthier and more meaningful life.
As a human services organization we are rooted in social services expertise with community connections to additional human services providers.
Unlike a bank or trust company, we do not have stakeholders evaluating our profit margins. Instead, our leadership team and Board of Directors provide guidance and oversight to meet the mission and remain in a place of continued sustainability. This allows us to fulfill our promises for today & tomorrow. Read more about us here.
As a non-profit founded by families, PLAN of PA never wishes for our fees to be prohibitive of serving our community. That being said, given our low minimums our Trust fee schedule does present differently then a for profit Bank or Trust company. Please dialogue with us about your expectations so we can work together to establish an appropriate fee.
Below you can find our standard fee schedule:
Trust Services & Care Management
They work together.
One of the ways PLAN of PA adds value to the lives of our beneficiaries is through our Care Management services. Although every beneficiary does not need Care Management support, many beneficiaries have times in their lives where they require some level of assistance from a professional Social Worker.
A Care Manager assists the beneficiary in the areas of housing, government benefits, social engagement, vocational pursuits, personal finance skills development, and/or managing ones health and wellness. Due to our existing Trust relationship, our Care Managers are able to get to know you more efficiently and focus more readily on your needs and goals.
As trustee, there may be times that we initiate a Care Management contract to accomplish a specific goal ensuring the beneficiaries health and well being, for instance…
An immediate need to secure eligible benefits
Obtain housing
Secure a clinical team to manage a serious illness
Assist the person to gain income through a job
In these circumstances, it is our objective to increase the safety within a beneficiary’s life and often ultimately protect trust resources.
We can also help with goals that are not as urgent, but provide incredible meaning like
Combating isolation with increased social interaction
Development of personal finance skills
Obtain a volunteer position
Care Management services are a fee-for-service contract. Our Executive Director and Trust Advisory Committee utilize discernment when assigning Care Managers to work with beneficiaries. Our top goal is for the trust resources to be utilized in the best ways possible for the person’s happiness and health.