Maintain your benefits for the supports you need.
Keep your assets for the life you choose.
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Community Trust I

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About Us

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Empowering Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities who receive Medicaid and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) must follow strict rules about how much money or how many assets they can have in their name. Having assets over these limits can threaten their ability to keep these benefits.
My Choice Supplemental Needs Trusts (SNTs) offer a solution. By establishing an account with us, individuals can protect their assets while keeping government assistance. At the same time, they gain the freedom to use their funds for life-enhancing expenses not covered by Medicaid or SSI—such as hobbies, travel, education, dental/vision, and more.

Play this video to learn more about our Supplemental Needs Trust!

Where to Begin

Where Do I Begin
Documents and Fee Schedule
Resources and Frequently Asked Questions
Join the Trust

Why Choose My Choice Trust Services?

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Quick and Easy

Enroll in as little as seven business days! Documents are drafted and approved by NYS Medicaid and the Social Security Administration.

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Affordable

Open an account with as little as $250. $100 covers the one-time enrollment fee, with monthly fees as published in the fee schedule.

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Flexible Funding

Accounts can be funded electronically, by check, directly from court settlements, escrow accounts, or individuals.

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Personalized Service

Receive personalized service from a professionally trained not-for-profit staff that understands Medicaid and SSI rules.

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Learn About Supplemental Needs Trusts

My Choice Trust Services participates in forums and Community Networking Events to educate people with disabilities, their families, care managers, and providers on how to protect financial assets and maintain benefit eligibility. Our upcoming events, as well as slides shared during previous presentations are on our website.

About Pooled Supplemental Needs Trusts

Community or Pooled SNTs are designed to shelter the assets of individuals with disabilities so the funds can be retained to enrich the beneficiary’s quality of life while protecting their eligibility for means-tested government benefits. The assets held in the trust are not counted towards Medicaid or SSI asset limits. While each beneficiary has their own funds held in sub-trust account, the collection of sub-trust accounts are pooled together for investment purposes, providing greater opportunity for growth and reducing administrative fees.

People of any age, with a disability defined by Social Security Law Section 1614(A)(3) [42 USC §1382C(A)(3)].

Pooling of sub-accounts for investment purposes enables highly skilled trustees with industry relevant expertise the ability to manage funds cost-effectively, with lower administration costs to the Beneficiary. Beneficiaries are eligible at any age, documents are already drafted and approved by Medicaid and SSA, and assets are sheltered from Medicaid and SSI eligibility limits.

  • Medical/dental services (not covered by insurance)
  • Private rehabilitation services
  • Supplementary education assistance
  • Television, cable, computer and internet services
  • Entertainment, vacation, and hobbies
  • A vehicle, vehicle service and repairs, or other transportation services
  • Unlimited travel and entertainment (if unable to travel alone, expenses for a travel companion may be allowed)
  • Pre-paid burial expenses
  • Assistive technology/education expenses
  • Caregiver services or personal care attendant
  • Household repairs
  • Mortgage/rent (SSI recipients – see below)
  • Utilities (SSI recipients – see below)
  • Clothing (SSI recipients – see below)

*IF YOU RECEIVE SSI, PLEASE BE AWARE that payments from the trust towards shelter, utilities, or clothing should be avoided as they will be considered “In Kind Support and Maintenance” (ISM) and will reduce SSI payments. Any household good or item purchased by the Trustee for the Beneficiary should not exceed $1,971, as this could be deemed as income to the Beneficiary and could result in and interruption of benefits.

• Mortgage or rent payments

• Property insurance and/or taxes

• Utility bills – gas, electric, heating fuel, water, sewer

• Waste collection

• Credit card bills

• Any items a parent would be responsible for if under the age of 21

SSI is intended to help pay for basic costs of shelter. If one is receiving SSI and accepting assistance for basic shelter needs like the ones listed above from another source, this would be considered “In Kind Support and Maintenance” (ISM) and the SSI benefit may be reduced.

Understanding and differentiating between allowable expenses payable from the SNT and those prohibited can often be confusing. In managing an SNT, it’s essential for the Trustee to steer clear of any actions that could endanger the beneficiary’s eligibility for Medicaid and/or SSI.

Expenses that are not permissible include:

  • Cash or reimbursement to Beneficiary
  • Reimbursement to spouse for rent
  • Gifts or donations
  • Property expenses not owned by the Beneficiary
  • Life insurance (because it benefits someone other than the beneficiary)
  • Services provided by Medicaid
  • Some medical bills and expenses
  • Overdraft fees and lines of credit
  • Any disbursement after death of Beneficiary

People who qualify for SSI, a public benefit program, are provided with supplemental income to help cover the cost of such necessities as food, clothing, and shelter. It can also be a way for individuals to obtain access to Medicaid.

The Beneficiary, or their authorized representative will need to fully complete the Joinder Agreement (application for enrollment) found in our Document Library on the website.

A completed, signed and Notarized Joinder Agreement along with any supporting documentation (outlined in the agreement) should be mailed to our headquarters or emailed to intake@mychoicetrust.org. Once you are approved, a trust representative will guide you through the steps to fund the account with a minimum of $250 which will cover the $100 one-time enrollment fee and the first month’s administrative fee and still leave a balance.

  1. Once your paperwork is received, the Director of Trust Servicers will reach out to review your application and answer your questions. If all documentation is completed in full, and you have provided proof of the qualifying disability, the process should take approximately one week.
  2. The Director of Trust Services will guide you through funding the account with a minimum of $250. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $100, no renewal fees, and low monthly administrative fees, along with a one-time annual fee of $50 for tax preparation. See the Fee Schedule in our Document Library for more information.
  3. The Director of Trust Services will review how to make deposits and disbursement requests. Both mail and online options are available.
  4. Please see above FAQs regarding what the trust can and cannot pay for.
  5. Please note, the trust can pay toward a Medicaid irrevocable pre-need funeral arrangement during the lifetime of the Beneficiary. All pre-need funeral arrangement should be made in advance as no payments will be made after the death of a beneficiary. The trust will require a copy of the pre-need contract.
  6. Consistent with Federal Statute, upon the death of a Beneficiary, the account is closed, and all payments will cease, including funeral expenses.
  7. Any remainder funds will remain with the trust to benefit other individuals with disabilities.

Have questions about Pooled Trusts?

We’re happy to help!