How Much Does a Special Needs Trust Save? More Than You Might Think

If your family is financially comfortable, you might wonder whether a special needs trust is really worth the trouble. Ellen runs the actual numbers, and the total surprises most families. A lot of parents tell us, "We have enough money. We can just pay for everything ourselves." It's an understandable instinct. But preserving your child's eligibility for public benefits like SSI, Medi-Cal, and Section 8 housing can protect millions of dollars in support over a lifetime - money that never has to come out of the trust holding their inheritance. Keeping that eligibility open also unlocks programs you can only access through public benefits, not just dollars. In this breakdown, Ellen walks through the lifetime value of each benefit, then adds it all up. The total may change how you think about whether your family needs a special needs trust, even if you don't need the financial help today. → Talk with our intake team: cookmanlaw.com/talk-with-intake-team/ → Join our special needs planning newsletter: https://cookmanlaw.com/newsletter/ If you're weighing whether a special needs trust is right for your family, reach out to our intake team through the link above. This is what we do. And if this was helpful, subscribe for more practical special needs planning guidance. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:15 - Are public benefits worth the hassle? 03:03 - The lifetime value of SSI 04:04 - The lifetime value of Medi-Cal 05:11 - Calculating Section 8 Housing benefits over a lifetime 06:33 - How Cookman Law can help ✅ Subscribe to our Newsletter to stay up to date! https://cookmanlaw.com/newsletter/ ✅ FREE Initial Call 👇👇 https://cookmanlaw.com/talk-to-intake... ✅ Download the Special Needs Planning Webinar 👇👇 https://l3jzs7tx.pages.infusionsoft.n... ✅ Please Subscribe to my channel I put out a new video every week →    / @ellencookman-estateplanningsnt   ✅ FREE Guides to Special Needs Trusts 👇👇 https://cookmanlaw.com/special-needs-... ✅ Download the Webinar on Estate Planning 👇👇 https://194u7bvs.pages.infusionsoft.n... 💥 Follow me on Social Media 💥 Instagram:   / cookman_law   Facebook:   / cookmanlaw   LinkedIn:   / ellen-cookman-jd-ll-m-88728b12   Website: https://cookmanlaw.com/ Looking forward to connecting! Please call or text with any Estate Planning questions: (650) 690-2571 The content of this YouTube channel is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. You should not rely upon any information contained on this YouTube channel for legal advice. Viewing this YouTube channel is not intended to and shall not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Ellen Cookman or Cookman Law, PC. Messages or other forms of communication that you transmit to this YouTube channel will not create an attorney-client relationship and thus information contained in such communications may not be protected as privileged. Neither Ellen Cookman nor Cookman Law, PC makes any representation, warranty, or guarantee about the accuracy of the information contained in this YouTube channel or in links to other YouTube channels or websites. This YouTube channel is provided "as is," does not represent that any outcome or result from viewing of this channel. Your use viewing of this YouTube channel is at your own risk. You enjoy this YouTube channel and its contents only for personal, non-commercial purposes. Neither Ellen Cookman, Cookman Law, PC, nor anyone acting on their behalf, will be liable under any circumstances for damages of any kind. #specialneedstrust #estateplanning