Location: California
I have a disabled friend who receives SSDI, SSI, Section 8, and SNAP benefits. I'm asking this question for her, as she is in a lot of pain and exhaustion.
She inherited about $28,000 in 2025. She put it into a Special Needs Pooled Trust, thinking that at that point it would not prevent her from receiving SSI. Every lawyer we consulted said that, as well as the people at the pooled SNT.
Well, SSI stopped sending her money, saying she has too much net worth. (Note that before this, she had less than $2000.) She couldn't get a straight answer from them why they didn't care it was in a SNT, and when she appealed, they denied her. She also couldn't get a response from the SNT contact person, (poor customer service and responsiveness). She is very sick and doesn't have the energy to pursue this. She just gave up.
I think she needs a lawyer to fight this, and they can be paid out of SSI back benefits hopefully.
But, is it true that SSA is not allowed to count money in a SNT as net worth or possessions?
The only thing I can think of is that she had it paid to her by check to her checking account and then transferred it to the SNT, so maybe SSA got wind of it. But my understanding is that even when they find > $2000 in your checking account, they only stop SSI for that month and restart it when you're below $2000.
I want to help my friend but I'm really confused about the law here.