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Getting Started
Special needs trusts provide a tool for families planning for a loved one with a disability. A special needs trust is designed for beneficiaries with disabilities to protect important public benefits such as; but not limited to, Medicaid and SSI.
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Establishing a Trust
It is important that you have the opportunity to ask questions about the terms of the MSNT trust agreement and that you give careful consideration to designation of co-trustees and remainder beneficiaries and establish investment directives for the trust account.
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Using a Trust
Once a trust account has been opened, the co-trustee will work with MSNT to identify needs of the beneficiary and make distribution requests for the sole benefit of the beneficiary with a disability.
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Midwest Special Needs Trust Celebrates 30th Anniversary
This year, Midwest Special Needs Trust is celebrating 30 years of helping families of individuals with disabilities plan for their financial futures.
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SUPPORT OUR CHARITABLE PROGRAM
For almost 30 years the Midwest Special Needs Trust Charitable Trust program has been helping people across our state who are disabled and living below the federal poverty level.
MSNT: A MODEL FOR THE WORLD PART 2
MSNT Executive Director, Kathy Birkes was invited to speak at the 5th World congress on Adult Guardianship held in Seoul, South Korea on October 24, 2018. While there, she also co-presented with Professor David English at the Hanyang University. Read more inside.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Read answers prepared by our Special Needs Trust Specialists to common questions about the purpose of, establishing, and using a Special Needs Trust.
"Midwest Special Needs Trust administers trusts that protect public benefits for people with disabilities. The organization is governed by a professional, values-driven Board of Trustees that includes family members of people with disabilities and individuals with business expertise. The Board's commitment includes providing affordable trust services to individuals and families of modest means."
A 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation recognized as a pooled trust as defined in 42 USC 1396p(d)(4)(C)
About MSNT
Missouri Family Trust was established as a result of advocacy by parents and professionals who realized that many obstacles hinder planning for the financial future of individuals with disabilities. The organization was created by statute (RSMo 402.199 – 402.208) in 1989 for the primary purpose of administering special needs trusts for persons with disabilities to protect important public benefits such as Medicaid and SSI. As authorized and specified by statute, the Missouri Family Trust was incorporated as a non-profit and received IRS 501(c)(3) charitable designation.
Pooled Trust and MSNT Charitable Grant Program
In 1993 when Congress created public benefit exemptions for Special Needs Trusts, they included provisions to support not for profit trustees and their charitable missions. Federal Social Security and Medicaid statutes allow non-profit organizations to retain a portion of a trust account balance at the death of the beneficiary before Medicaid payback to be used by the trustee for its charitable mission.
News
MSNT Offers $150,000 in Charitable Grants for Disaster Relief
Midwest Special Needs Trust Offers $150,000 in Charitable Grants to Assist Local Individuals with Disabilities Impacted by Tornado and Flooding Columbia, MO — May 31, 2019 – To assist local, low income individuals with disabilities, including families with children with disabilities, the Midwest Special Needs Trust (MSNT) Board of Trustees voted this week to increase […]
MSNT 30th anniversary featured on KFRU Columbia Morning with David Lile
KFRU Columbia Morning with David Lile spoke with Executive Director Kathy Birkes about MSNT’s 30th anniversary. Listen below and click here to learn more.
Academy of Special Needs Planners 13th Annual Meeting
Mary Lou Hughes, Trust Specialist III, Kevin Urbatsch, National Director of the Academy of Special Needs Planners and Nathan McKee, Trust Special II at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Special Needs Planners in Chicago, IL in May.
Coastal Electric Golf Invitational
MSNT Executive Director Kathy Birkes enjoys a moment with Woodhaven Chief Executive Officer Mark Palmer at the annual Coastal Electric Golf Invitational on May 6 at the Columbia Country Club. This tournament, now in its 14th year, benefits the BJ Palmer Memorial Fund established to meet the maintenance costs for the over 30 homes where […]
Missouri Public Administrators Conference 2019
Casie Stephens, Trust Specialist III, and Nathan McKee, Trust Specialist II, are working hard this week to let our Public Administrators know the “super” ways MSNT can help their clients. Our slogan for the conference-“Let us show you how to be a “HERO” of your finances!”
Missouri Public Administrators Conference 2019
Trust Specialists Casie Stephens and Sterling Odneal at the Missouri Public Administrators Conference in Columbia, MO April 16-19.
Power Up 2019 AT Conference
Charitable Trust Specialist Heather Allen and IT Director Gabe Wilkerson exhibiting at Power Up 2019 Assistive Technology Conference on April 1, 2019.
Professor Yang from Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan visits MSNT
Professor Linkai Yang from Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan with MSNT Executive Director Kathy Birkes. Professor Yang is researching special needs trusts for use in Japan.
2019 Missouri Oral Health Policy Conference
Executive Director Kathy Birkes and Charitable Trust Specialist Heather Allen with State Dental Director Dr John Dane at the 2019 Missouri Oral Health Policy Conference held in Jefferson City February 28 and March 1. The event was organized by the Missouri Coalition for Oral Health.
MSNT: A Model For the World Part 2
In October 2018, MSNT Executive Director Kathy Birkes spoke at the 5th World Congress on Adult Guardianship held in Seoul, South Korea. Just as MSNT was a leader when the concept of special needs trusts was first developed, so it remains a model for the world as the debate continues on the protection and independence […]