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Can distributions from the Special Needs Trust be made for food, shelter and clothing?

It depends. The trust can be drafted to permit distributions for these items. However, distributions for food, shelter, and clothing must be made with care if a person is receiving SSI benefits as such payments can result in a reduction of SSI monthly payments and perhaps Medicaid eligibility. Distributions for food, shelter, and clothing will have no affect on Medicaid eligibility so long as the payments are not made directly to the trust beneficiary and the person is not receiving SSI monthly payments.

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