At Wispact and the Wispact Foundation, we are dedicated to building communities where every person with a disability can live with dignity, choice, and hope. United by this purpose, we collaborate with nonprofit partners across Wisconsin to remove barriers and create lasting solutions. One powerful tool in this shared effort is the Special Needs Trust (SNT)—a legal vehicle that protects vital benefits while providing resources to enrich lives and promote independence.
Why Special Needs Trusts Matter
Protecting Eligibility Federal and state benefit programs impose strict asset limits. Even modest savings—an inheritance, legal settlement, or gift—can disqualify someone from critical Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). An SNT preserves eligibility while permitting trust-funded support.
Supplementing, Not Supplanting Benefits cover basic needs: food, shelter, medical care. But what about social outings, therapies not covered by insurance, adaptive technology, or educational enhancements? An SNT can pay for these extras—fostering independence, joy, and personal growth—without jeopardizing core benefits.
Professional Management & Oversight Many families worry about managing funds long-term. SNTs are administered by a trustee—often a professional fiduciary—who understands both investment and benefit rules. That expertise protects funds from mismanagement and helps ensure they’re used appropriately over a beneficiary’s lifetime.
How Special Needs Trusts Work
Set Up by an Attorney: A legal document is created to hold funds for the benefit of someone with a disability without counting those assets against Medicaid or SSI limits.
Managed by a Trustee: A designated trustee handles investments, bills, and paperwork.
Funds for Quality-of-Life Expenses: Trust money pays for extras like therapies, home adaptations, vacations, or tech devices—anything that enhances daily living beyond basic benefits.
Keeps Benefits Intact: The trustee ensures all expenditures follow benefit rules, so government assistance continues uninterrupted.
For more information about setting up a Wispact Special Needs Trust use the Contact Us Form: https://www.wispact.org/contact-us/
How You Can Help
Spread the Word: Share our downloadable brochure or host a virtual info-session for your clients and their families.
Please Refer: If you encounter someone who may benefit—whether they’ve received an unexpected windfall or are planning for long-term security—encourage them to visit Wispact.org.
Collaborate: Contact us to co-host an educational event or to integrate SNT guidance into your agency’s offerings.
Building Brighter Futures Special Needs Trusts are more than legal instruments—they’re bridges to possibility. By partnering with Wispact, Inc, Wisconsin nonprofits can equip individuals with disabilities and their families with the financial tools they need to live with dignity, choice, and independence.
Visit Wispact.org today to learn more, access resources, or schedule a complimentary consultation. Together, we can ensure that every Wisconsinite with a disability enjoys the security and opportunities they deserve.