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B. Glossary of Terms -- Trusts

A legal arrangement involving property and ownership interests.
A trust is a legal arrangement involving property and ownership interests.
Property held in trust may or may not be considered a resource for SSI purposes. The general rules concerning resources apply to evaluating the resource status of property held in trust.
A property interest whereby property is held by an individual or entity (such as a bank) called the trustee, subject to a fiduciary duty to use the property for the benefit of another (the beneficiary).
A trust
The individual who provides the trust principal (or corpus).
A grantor (also called a settlor or trustor)

The grantor must be the owner or have legal right to the property or be otherwise qualified to transfer it. Therefore, an individual may be a grantor even if an agent, or other individual legally empowered to act on his/her behalf (e.g., a legal guardian, representative payee for Title II/XVI benefits, person acting under a power of attorney, or conservator), establishes the trust with funds or property that belong to the individual. The individual funding the trust is the grantor, even in situations where the trust agreement shows a person legally empowered to act on the individual's behalf as the grantor. Where more than one person provides property to the trust, there may be multiple grantors. The terms grantor, trustor, and settlor may be used interchangeably.
A person or entity who holds legal title to property for the use or benefit of another.
A trustee

In most instances, the trustee has no legal right to revoke the trust or use the property for his/her own benefit.
A person for whose benefit a trust exists.
A trust beneficiary

A beneficiary DOES NOT hold legal title to trust property but DOES have an equitable ownership interest in it.

As equitable owner, the beneficiary has certain rights that will be enforced by a court because the trust exists for his/her benefit.

The beneficiary receives the benefits of the trust while the trustee holds the title and duties.
a. Trusts Established prior to 1/1/00 that Contain Assets of the Individual
b. Trusts that Contain Assets of Third Parties
c. Other Trusts Not Subject to Section 1613(e) of the Social Security Act
Generally, this section applies to trusts not subject to the statutory trust provisions in section 1613(e) of the Social Security Act, instructions for which are found in SI 01120.201 – SI 01120.204. Use the instructions in this section to evaluate the following types of trusts:
Amounts earned by the trust principal. They may take such forms as interest, dividends, royalties, rents, etc.
Trust earnings or income
Trust earnings or income amounts are considered earned or unearned income?
These amounts are UNEARNED income to any person legally able to use them for personal support and maintenance.
A tentative trust in which a grantor makes himself/herself trustee of his/her own funds for the benefit of another.

Typically this is done by an individual depositing funds in a savings account and either titling the account or filing a writing with the bank indicating he/she is trustee of the account for another person.
A Totten trust aka “bank account trust”.

Revocable - The trustee can revoke a Totten trust at any time.

Should the trustee die without revoking the trust, ownership of the money passes to the beneficiary.
What happens to the assets in a Totten trust if the trustee dies?
The assets go to the beneficiary when the trustee dies.
Are Totten trusts valid in all jurisdictions?
Most. Not all.

Totten trusts are valid in most jurisdictions, but other jurisdictions have held them invalid because they are too tentative, i.e., they lack formal requirements and do not state a trust intent or purpose.
Subject to State law. A trust in which the grantor of the trust is also the sole beneficiary of the trust.
A grantor trust.

See SI 01120.200B.2. for who may be a grantor. State law on grantor trusts varies. Consult with your Regional Office if necessary.
A trust that requires the trustee to pay trust earnings or principal to or for the benefit of the beneficiary at certain times.

The trust may require disbursement of a specified % or $ amount of the trust earnings or may obligate the trustee to spend income and principal, as necessary, to provide a specified standard of care.

The trustee HAS NO DISCRETION as to the amount of the payment or to whom it will be distributed.
A mandatory trust
A trust in which the TRUSTEE HAS FULL DISCRETION as to the time, purpose and amount of all distributions.

The trustee may pay to or for the benefit of the beneficiary, all or none of the trust as he/she considers appropriate.

The beneficiary HAS NO CONTROL over the trust.
A discretionary trust
Medicaid Trust or Medicaid Qualifying Trust
See SI 01730.048 for definitions of a Medicaid trust or a Medicaid qualifying trust and see SI 01120.200H. for additional guidance on these trusts. See SI 01120.203 for SSI treatment of Medicaid trust exceptions.
Is NOT a current beneficiary of a trust, but will receive the residual benefit of the trust contingent upon the occurrence of a specific event, e.g., the death of the primary beneficiary.
A residual beneficiary AKA contingent beneficiary
A type of trust that limits the trustee's discretion as to the purpose of the distributions.

This type of trust typically contains language that distributions should SUPPLEMENT, but not supplant (take place of), sources of income including SSI or other government benefits.
A supplemental needs trust
A trust established during the lifetime of the grantor.
An inter vivos trust AKA living trust
A trust established by a will and effective at the time of the testator's death.
A testamentary trust
What prohibits both involuntary and voluntary transfers of the beneficiary's interest in the trust income or principal.
A spendthrift clause or trust
This means that the beneficiary's creditors must wait until money is paid from the trust to the beneficiary before they can attempt to claim it to satisfy debts. It also means that, for example, if the beneficiary is entitled to $100 a month from the trust, the beneficiary cannot sell his/her right to receive the monthly payments to a third party for a lump sum. In other words, a valid spendthrift clause would make the value of the beneficiary’s right to receive payments not countable as a resource. However, spendthrift clauses are not recognized in all States. Additionally, States that recognize spendthrift trusts generally do not allow a grantor to establish a spendthrift trust for his/her own benefit, i.e., as a beneficiary. Thus, using the example from above, in those States where spendthrift clauses are not recognized (whether at all or because the trust is a grantor trust), the value of the beneficiary’s right to receive monthly payments should be counted as a resource because it may be sold for a lump sum.
A trust established with the assets of someone other than the beneficiary.
A third-party trust.

For example, a third-party trust may be established by a grandparent for a grandchild. Be alert for situations where a trust is allegedly established with the assets of a third party, but in reality is created with the beneficiary's property. In such cases, the trust is a grantor trust, not a third-party trust.
The OBLIGATION of the trustee in dealing with the trust property and income.

The trustee holds the property solely for the benefit of the beneficiary with DUE CARE.

The trustee owes DUTIES of GOOD FAITH and LOYALTY to exercise REASONABLE CARE & SKILL to preserve the trust property and make it productive and to account for it.
Fiduciary duty

Because the trustee is a fiduciary does not mean that he/she is an agent of the beneficiary.

The person who establishes a trust should not be confused with the grantor, who provides the assets that form the principal of the trust.
Can a trust be revoked?
The grantor of a trust may have the power or authority to revoke (i.e., reclaim or take back) the assets deposited in the trust.

If the individual at issue (a claimant, recipient, or deemor (see SI 01310.127)) is the grantor of the trust, the trust will generally be a resource to that individual if that individual can revoke the trust and reclaim the trust assets.

However, if a third party is the grantor of the trust, the trust will not be a resource to the beneficiary of the trust merely because the trust is revocable by the grantor.

In a third party trust situation, the focus should be on whether the individual (claimant, recipient, or deemor) can terminate the trust and obtain the assets for him or herself.
Can a trust be terminated?
In rare instances, a trustee or beneficiary of a third-party trust (i.e., a trust established with the assets of a third party) can terminate (i.e., end) a trust and obtain the assets for him or herself.
Is a Conservatorship account a trust?
No, Conservatorship Accounts are not trusts.

These accounts, established by a court, are usually administered by a court-appointed conservator for the benefit of an individual.

They differ from a trust in that the “beneficiary” RETAINS OWNERSHIP of all of the assets, although in some cases they may not be available for support and maintenance. (See SI 01140.215 for instructions pertaining to conservatorship accounts.)

Accounts and instruments are similar to trusts and may be titled as trusts
Is a Patient Trust account a trust?
No, Patient Trust Accounts are not trusts.

Many nursing homes, institutions and government social services agencies maintain so called “patient trust accounts” for individuals to provide them with toiletries, cigarettes, candy and sundries.

Although titled trust accounts, they are not; they are AGENCY accounts.

The individual owns the money in the account, which the institution is merely holding for him/her and making disbursements on his/her behalf as necessary. (See SI 01120.020, SI 00810.120 and GN 00603.020 for information on transactions involving agents.)

Accounts and instruments are similar to trusts and may be titled as trusts
Are an “In Trust For” Financial Account a trust?

Representative Payee Accounts
These accounts may or may not be trusts depending on the circumstances in the individual case.

a. Representative Payee Accounts

One of the most common types of “in trust for” accounts are representative payee accounts. These accounts are not trusts, but improperly titled accounts that are misleading as to the actual owner of the funds. If a representative payee deposits current or conserved benefits in an account, the account must be titled to reflect the beneficiary's ownership interest. (See SI 01120.020 and SI 00810.120 for instructions pertaining to agency accounts. See GN 00603.010 for instructions pertaining to titling of accounts established by representative payees.)
Are an “In Trust For” Financial Account a trust?
These accounts may or may not be trusts depending on the circumstances in the individual case.

b. Totten Trusts

An “in trust for” financial institution account may be a Totten trust if an individual deposits his/her own funds in an account and holds the account as owner for the benefit of another individual(s).
If an individual (claimant, recipient, or deemor) has legal authority to revoke or terminate the trust and then use the funds to meet his food or shelter needs,

OR

if the individual can direct the use of the trust principal for his/her support and maintenance under the terms of the trust.

Is the trust principal considered a resource for SSI purposes?
Yes.

Additionally, if the individual can sell his or her beneficial interest in the trust, that interest is a resource. For example, if the trust provides for payment of $100 per month to the beneficiary for spending money, absent a prohibition to the contrary (e.g., a valid spendthrift clause, see SI 01120.200B.16.), the beneficiary may be able to sell the right to future payments for a lump-sum settlement.
Trusts Which Are Resources, in regard to the grantor.


In some cases, the authority to revoke a trust is held by the grantor. Even if the power to revoke a trust is not specifically retained, a trust may be revocable in certain situations. (See SI 01120.200B.8. and SI 01120.200D.3. for information on grantor trusts.) Additionally, State law may contain presumptions as to the revocability of trusts.
If the trust principal reverts to the grantor upon revocation and can be used for support and maintenance, then is the principal considered a resource to the grantor?
Yes, then the principal is a resource to the grantor.
Trusts Which Are Resources, in regard to beneficiary.

Are there situations where the trust is considered a resource to the beneficiary?
Rare, but yes.

A beneficiary generally does not have the power to terminate a trust. However, the trust may be a resource to the beneficiary in the rare instance where he/she has the authority to terminate the trust and gain access to the trust assets. In addition, the beneficiary may, in rare instances, have the authority under the trust to direct the use of the trust principal. (The authority to control the trust principal may be either specific trust provisions allowing the beneficiary to act on his/her own or by permitting the beneficiary to order actions by the trustee.) In such a case, the beneficiary's equitable ownership in the trust principal and his/her ability to use it for support and maintenance means it is a resource.

The beneficiary's right to mandatory periodic payments may be a resource equal to the present value of the anticipated string of payments unless a valid spendthrift clause (see SI 01120.200B.16.) or other language prohibits anticipation of payments.

While a trustee may have discretion to use the trust principal for the benefit of the beneficiary, the trustee should be considered a third party and not an agent of the beneficiary, i.e., the actions of the trustee are not the actions of the beneficiary, unless the trust specifically states otherwise.
Trusts Which Are Resources, in regard to trustee.

Are there situations where the trust is considered a resource to the beneficiary?
Occasionally.

Occasionally, a trustee may have the legal authority to terminate a trust. However, the trust is not a resource to the trustee unless he/she becomes the owner of the trust principal upon termination. The trustee should be considered a third party. Although the trustee has access to the principal for the benefit of the beneficiary, this does not mean that the principal is the trustee's resource. If the trustee has the legal authority to withdraw and use the trust principal for his/her own support and maintenance, the principal is the trustee's resource for SSI purposes in the amount that can be used.
Trusts Which Are Resources, in regard to creator of a Totten Trust.

Is the trust considered a resource to the creator of a Totten Trust?
Yes, due to the creator's ability to revoke the trust.

The creator of a Totten trust has the authority to revoke the financial account trust at any time. Therefore, the funds in the account are his/her resource.
D. Policy - Trusts As Resources, for SSI purposes

If an individual does not have the legal authority to revoke or terminate the trust or to direct the use of the trust assets for his/her own support and maintenance, then is the trust principal considered a resource to the individual?
No, the trust principal is not the individual's resource for SSI purposes.
D. Policy - Trusts As Resources, for SSI purposes

The revocability of a trust and the ability to direct the use of the trust principal depend on the terms of the trust agreement and/or on State law. If a trust is irrevocable by its terms and under State law and cannot be used by an individual for support and maintenance (e.g., it contains a valid spendthrift clause, see SI 01120.200B.16.), then is it considered a resource.
No, it is not a resource.
D. Policy - Trusts As Resources, for SSI purposes

If the grantor of a trust is the sole beneficiary of a trust then is the trust revocable?
In some states.


Some States follow the general principle of trust law that if a grantor is also the sole beneficiary of a trust, the trust is revocable regardless of language in the trust to the contrary.

However, many of these States recognize that the grantor cannot unilaterally revoke the trust if there is a named “residual beneficiary” in the trust document who would, for example, receive the principal upon the grantor's death or the occurrence of some other specific event.

Under the modern view, residual beneficiaries are assumed to be created, absent evidence of a contrary intent, when a grantor names heirs, next of kin, or similar groups to receive the remaining assets in the trust upon the grantor's death. In such case, the trust is considered to be irrevocable.

NOTE: The policies regarding grantor trusts may or may not apply in your particular State. Field offices should consult regional POMS or your regional office program staff if in doubt.
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

Cash paid directly from the trust to the individual is unearned or earned income?
Cash paid directly from the trust to the individual is unearned income.
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

Disbursements from the trust to third parties that result in the beneficiary receiving non-cash items are considered to be what kind of income?
In-kind income.

Disbursements from the trust to third parties that result in the beneficiary receiving non-cash items (other than food or shelter), are in-kind income if the items would not be a partially or totally excluded non-liquid resource if retained into the month after the month of receipt (see SI 00815.550 and SI 01110.210).

For example, if a trust buys a car for the beneficiary and the beneficiary's spouse already has a car which is excluded for SSI, the second car is income in the month of receipt since it would not be an excluded resource in the following month.
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

Food or shelter received as a result of disbursements from the trust by the trustee to a third party are what kind of income?
Food or shelter received as a result of disbursements from the trust by the trustee to a third party are "income in the form of in-kind support and maintenance"and "are valued under the presumed maximum value (PMV) rule." (See SI 00835.300 for instructions pertaining to the PMV rule. See SI 01120.200F. for rules pertaining to a home.)
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

Are disbursements in the form of educational expenses, therapy, medical services not covered by Medicaid, phone bills, recreation, entertainment, etc (see SI 00815.400) considered to be income?
Disbursements from the trust other than those described in SI 01120.200E.1.a. and SI 01120.200E.1.b. are NOT income. Such disbursements may take the form of educational expenses, therapy, medical services not covered by Medicaid, phone bills, recreation, entertainment, etc (see SI 00815.400).
See following for examples. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500815400
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

Are disbursements made from the trust to a third party that result in the beneficiary receiving non-cash items (other than food or shelter) considered to be income?
Disbursements made from the trust to a third party that result in the beneficiary receiving non-cash items (other than food or shelter) are NOT income IF those items would become a totally or partially excluded non-liquid resource if retained into the month after the month of receipt (see SI 00815.550 and SI 01110.210).

For example, a trust purchases a computer for the beneficiary. Since the computer would be excluded from resources as household goods in the following month, the computer is not income (see SI 01130.430).
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

If the trust principal is a resource to the individual, are disbursements from the trust principal received by the individual or that result in receipt of something by the individual considered income.
If the trust principal is a resource to the individual, disbursements from the trust principal received by the individual or that result in receipt of something by the individual are NOT income, BUT conversion of a resource.

(However, trust earnings are income. See SI 01110.100 for instructions pertaining to conversion of resources from one form to another. See SI 01120.200G.2. for treatment of income when the trust principal is a resource and SI 00830.500 for treatment of dividends and interest as income).
E. Policy - Disbursements From Trusts

b. Disbursements Not to or for the Benefit of the Beneficiary

If the trust is established with the assets of an individual or his or her spouse and the trust (or portion of the trust) is a resource to the individual:

*any disbursement from the trust (or from that portion of the trust that is a resource) that is not made to, or for the benefit of, the individual is considered a _______ of resources as of the date of the payment.
Is the disbursement considered to be income to the individual?
If the trust is established with the assets of an individual or his or her spouse and the trust (or portion of the trust) is a resource to the individual:

*any disbursement from the trust (or from that portion of the trust that is a resource) that is not made to, or for the benefit of, the individual is considered a TRANSFER of resources as of the date of the payment and is NOT considered income to the individual (see SI 01150.110); and
*any foreclosure of payment (an instance in which no disbursement can be made to the individual under any circumstances) is considered to be a transfer of resources as of the date of foreclosure. Such foreclosure is not considered income to the individual.
F. Policy - Home Ownership/Purchase Of A Home By A Trust

In regard to a home.

If the trustee of a trust which is NOT a resource for SSI purposes purchases and holds title to a house as a home for the beneficiary, the house would not be a resource to the beneficiary. Would it also be a resource if the beneficiary moved from the house.
If the trustee of a trust which is NOT a resource for SSI purposes purchases and holds title to a house as a home for the beneficiary, the house would NOT be a resource to the beneficiary. It would also not be a resource if the beneficiary moved from the house. The trust holds legal title to the house, therefore, the eligible individual would be considered to be living in his/her own home based on having an “equitable ownership under a trust.”

If the trust is a resource to the individual, the home is subject to exclusion under SI 01130.100.
F. Policy - Home Ownership/Purchase Of A Home By A Trust

In regard to rent-free shelter.
An eligible individual does not receive in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) in the form of rent-free shelter while living in a home in which he/she has an ownership interest. Accordingly, an individual with “equitable home ownership under a trust” (see SI 01120.200F.1.) does not receive rent-free shelter. Also, because we consider such an individual to have an ownership interest, payment of rent by the beneficiary to the trust has no effect on the SSI payment
F. Policy - Home Ownership/Purchase Of A Home By A Trust

In regard to Receipt of Income from a Home Purchase.
Since the purchase of a home by a trust for the beneficiary establishes an equitable ownership interest for the beneficiary of the trust, the purchase results in the receipt of shelter in the month of purchase that is income in the form of ISM (see SI 00835.400). This ISM is valued at no more than the presumed maximum value (PMV).

Even though the beneficiary has an ownership interest in the home and, if living in the home, does not receive ISM in the form of rent-free shelter, purchase of the home or payment of the monthly mortgage by the trust is a disbursement from the trust to a third party that results in the receipt of ISM in the form of shelter. (See SI 01120.200E.1.b.)
F. Policy - Home Ownership/Purchase Of A Home By A Trust

If the trust, which is not a resource, purchases the home outright and the individual lives in the home in the month of purchase, the home would be, or would not be, income?
If the trust, which is not a resource, purchases the home outright and the individual lives in the home in the month of purchase, the home WOULD BE income in the form of ISM and would reduce the individual's payment no more than the PMV in the month of purchase only, regardless of the value of the home. (See SI 01120.200E.1.b.)
F. Policy - Home Ownership/Purchase Of A Home By A Trust

If the trust, which is not a resource, purchases the home with a mortgage and the individual lives in the home in the month of purchase, the home would be ISM in the month of purchase. Each of the subsequent monthly mortgage payments would OR would not result in the receipt of income?
If the trust, which is not a resource, purchases the home with a mortgage and the individual lives in the home in the month of purchase, the home would be ISM in the month of purchase. Each of the subsequent monthly mortgage payments WOULD result in the receipt of income in the form of ISM to the beneficiary living in the house, each valued at no more than the PMV (see SI 01120.200E.1.b.).
F. Policy - Home Ownership/Purchase Of A Home By A Trust

If the trust pays for other shelter or household operating expenses, these payments would be OR would not be income?

If the trust pays for improvements or renovations to the home, e.g., renovations to the bathroom to make it handicapped accessible or installation of a wheelchair ramp or assistance devices, etc., the individual does OR does not receive income?
If the trust pays for other shelter or household operating expenses, these payments WOULD BE income in the form of ISM in the month the individual has use of the item (see SI 00835.350). Countable shelter expenses are listed at SI 00835.465D.

If the trust pays for improvements or renovations to the home, e.g., renovations to the bathroom to make it handicapped accessible or installation of a wheelchair ramp or assistance devices, etc., the individual DOES NOT receive income.

Disbursements from the trust for improvements increase the value of the resource and, unlike household operating expenses, do not provide
ISM. (See SI 01120.200E.1.c.).
Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Trusts-2010 Edition

What are resources?
A resource is money as well as something that you own and can turn into cash.
Examples of resources are property, stocks, bonds, and bank accounts.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Trusts-2010 Edition

Why are resources important in the SSI Program?
To get SSI, your COUNTABLE resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple.

We call this the Resource Limit.

Countable Resouurces are the things you own that count toward the resource limit.

Many things you own do not count.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Trusts-2010 Edition

What things do not count toward the resource limit?
The following things generally do not count toward the resource limit, no matter how much they are worth:

-the house you live in;
-one vehicle, if it is used for transportation for you or a member of your household;
-life insurance policies you own with a face value of $1,500 or less per person;
-burial plots or spaces for you or your immediate family;
-a burial fund of up to $1,500 each for you and your spouse's burial expenses;
-household goods and personal effects;
-property you or your spouse use in a trade or business, or on your job if you work for someone else; and
-if you are disabled or blind, money or property you have set aside under a Plan to Achieve Self–Support (PASS).
See the SSI Spotlight on Plans to Achieve Self–Support for more information about PASS.

There are other things you own that may not count as resources for SSI. Sometimes, you might be able to get monthly benefits even if you own things that put you over the resource limit.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Trusts-2010 Edition

What is income?

EARNED Income

Unearned Income
In–Kind Income
Deemed Income
Earned Income is wages, net earnings from self–employment, certain royalties and honoraria, and sheltered workshop payments.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Trusts-2010 Edition

What is income?

Earned Income

UNEARNED Income

In–Kind Income
Deemed Income
Unearned Income is all income that is not earned.

Such as Social Security benefits, pensions, State disability payments, unemployment benefits, interest income, and cash from friends and relatives.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income2010 Edition

What is income?

Earned Income
Unearned Income

IN-KIND INCOME

Deemed Income
In–Kind Income is food or shelter that you get for free or less than its fair market value.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income2010 Edition

What is income?

Earned Income
Unearned Income

IN-KIND INCOME

Deemed Income
Deemed Income is the part of the income of your spouse with whom you live, your parent(s) with whom you live, or your sponsor (if you are an alien), which we use to compute your SSI benefit amount.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income2010 Edition

When was the SSI law on trusts changed?
As of January 1, 2000, the SSI law on trusts changed. This information applies to trusts established on or after January 1, 2000.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income2010 Edition

What is a trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement regulated by State law in which one party holds property for the benefit of another.

In certain situations, a trust can be set up for an SSI recipient.
A trust can contain:

-cash or other liquid assets; and

-real or personal property that could be turned into cash.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income2010 Edition

How does a trust affect my SSI benefits?
f you use your assets to establish a trust on or after January 1, 2000, generally, the trust will count as your resource for SSI.

-In the case of a REVOCABLE trust, the whole trust is your resource.

-In the case of an IRREVOCABLE trust, if there are any circumstances under which payment could be made to you or for your benefit, the portion of the trust from which payment could be made is your resource.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income 2010 Edition

What things count as assets and are used to establish a trust?
Assets usually include your:

-incomes (countable and excluded);

-resources (countable and excluded); and

-property or payments that you have a right to but do not receive.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income 2010 Edition

Are there any exceptions to the law on trusts?
The law does not apply to:

-Special Needs Trusts - Trusts under Section 1917(d)(4)(A)Section 1917(d)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act, which are often called "special needs trusts;" and

-Pooled Trusts - Trusts under Section 1917(d)(4)(C)Section 1917(d)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act, which are often called "pooled trusts."

We will also not count the trust if counting it causes you hardship, and you meet the undue hardship criteria.
NOTE Certain revocable trusts under Section 1917(d)(4)(A) or (C) of the Social Security Act may still count as your resource.
(〜を) おねがいします
(exp.) ". . . , please." [会L2]
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income- 2010 Edition

WHY IS INCOME IMPORTANT IN THE SSI PROGRAM?
Generally, the more income you have, the less your SSI benefit will be.

If your countable income is over the allowable limit, you cannot receive SSI benefits.

Some of your income may not count as income for the SSI program.
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income- 2010 Edition

More reading

WHAT INCOME DOES NOT COUNT FOR SSI?
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income- 2010 Edition

More reading

HOW DOES YOUR INCOME AFFECT YOUR SSI BENEFIT?
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - SSI Income- 2010 Edition

More reading

WHEN DOES DEEMED INCOME APPLY?

WHEN DOES DEEMED INCOME NOT APPLY?
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm
Understanding Supplemental Security Income - Living Arrangements - 2010 Edition

WHY IS MY LIVING ARRANGEMENT IMPORTANT?
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-living-ussi.htm