A Modicum of Comfort and Dignity

Permissible Distributions List

Anyone who is managing a special needs trust for a person with disabilities is faced with a maze of complicated rules. This list is designed to assist trustees in determining what expenditures may be made to meet the financial needs of a disabled person while complying with the complex rules of public benefit programs. The trustee may make any of the following expenditures from the trust. This list of non-support items is provided for purposes of description and shall not limit the trustee in making other distributions for other items or amenities that the trustee may believe are in the best interest of the beneficiary. Those items may include, but are not limited to:

• Automobile/van

• Accounting services

• Acupuncture/acupressure

• Appliances (television, DVD player, stereo, microwave, stove, refrigerator, washer/dryer)

• Bus pass/public transportation costs

• Bottled water or water service

• Camera, film, recorder and tapes, development of film

• Clubs and club dues (record clubs, book clubs, health clubs, service clubs, zoo, advocacy groups, museums)

• Clothing

• Home purchase (to the extent not covered by benefits)

• Home alarm and/or monitoring/response system

• Home improvements, repairs, and maintenance (not covered by Medicaid), including tools to perform home improvements, repairs, and maintenance by homeowner

• House cleaning/maid services

• Insurance (automobile, home, and/or possessions)

• Legal fees/advocacy

• Laundry service or washer/dryer

• Linens and towels

• Massage

• Musical instruments (including lessons and music)

• Non-food grocery items (laundry soap, bleach, fabric softener, deodorant, dish soap, hand and body soap, personal hygiene products, paper towels, napkins, kleenex, toilet paper, any household cleaning products)

• Over-the-counter medications (including vitamins and herbal supplements, etc.)

• Personal assistance services not covered by Medicaid

• Pet, pet supplies, and veterinary services

• Physician specialists if not covered by Medicaid

• Private counseling if not covered by Medicaid

• Repair services (appliance, automobile, bicycle, household, fitness equipment)

• Snow removal/landscaping/lawn service

• Sporting goods/equipment/uniforms/team pictures

• Stationary, cards, etc.

• Storage units

• Taxicab

• Telephone service and equipment, including cell phone, pager, etc.

• Therapy (physical, occupational, speech) not covered by Medicaid

• Tickets to concerts or sporting events (for beneficiary and an accompanying companion)

• Transportation (automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, moped, gas, bus passes)

• Utility bills (satellite TV, cable TV, electricity, heat)

• Vacation (including paying for travel companion to accompany the beneficiary).

• Computer hardware, software, programs, and internet service

• Conferences

• Courses or classes (academic or recreational), including supplies

• Curtain, blinds, drapes, and window coverings

• Dental work not covered by Medicaid, including anesthesia

• Down payment on home or security deposit on apartment

• Dry cleaning and/or laundry services

• Elective surgery

• Fitness equipment

• Funeral expenses

• Furniture and home furnishings

• Gasoline and/or maintenance for automobile

• Haircuts/salon services

• Holiday decorations, parties, dinner dances, and holiday cards

We support:

• LEAP Foundation

• National Alliance on Mental Illness

• The Equitas Project a National Initiative of Mental Health Colorado