Testimonials

"When Todd was 34, he was seriously injured in an automobile accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. When he was awarded a generous settlement from a personal injury lawsuit, his attorney was concerned rather than relieved. She knew the additional income meant Todd would no longer be eligible for the Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid benefits that were paying for his primary living needs (food, housing and basic medical care). As a result, they established a Master Pooled Trust account in Todd's name that allowed the court to award the settlement directly to the trust, rather than to Todd himself. Todd considered placing the money in a bank trust, but he felt that he would need a great deal of information and support for the rest of his life. The fact that The Arc of Texas would manage his trust was extremely important and comforting to him."

"Weighing only 14 ounces when she was born, Brianne was the smallest baby ever to survive at the Methodist Hospital in Dallas. As a result of her premature birth, Brianne has a number of serious medical complications. Her parents depend heavily on government benefits to provide Brianne with nursing care, physical therapy, and medical supplies such as catheters and oxygen tanks. A local Kiwanis Club raised money to help Brianne's family. However, knowing that Brianne's benefits would be endangered if they accepted this gift, her parents thought they would have to decline the offer. Instead, their attorney suggested they open a Master Pooled Trust account for Brianne. Now the trust is providing Brianne with materials Medicaid does not, such as diapers, eyeglasses, and visits to her grandmother."

"Ethan is an active 8-year-old who has various intellectual disabilities. He is dreaming about his future. Someday he wants to work at a library and live in his own apartment. Ethan's parents are planning for his future too. They want to make sure when Ethan moves out of their home he will continue to have everything he needs to lead a happy and productive life. His parents started their planning process by opening a Master Pooled Trust account for him. They decided that in addition to funding the account through their life insurance policies, they would invest $10,000 of their savings to the trust now so that while Ethan is growing, his trust will also have a chance to grow. This way, they know Ethan will have money available throughout his adulthood to use for any supplemental needs his job or government benefits do not provide."

"Jorge and Teresa have specified in their wills they want to leave assets from their estate to their daughter, Claudia, who has cerebral palsy. Their attorney suggested they direct the assets into a Master Pooled Trust account so when Claudia receives her inheritance, she will remain eligible for her government benefits. However, Claudia's parents wanted assurance the money would be used in the way they intended. They decided to enroll in the trust now (even though the account would not be funded until the time of their deaths) so they can put their wishes for Claudia in writing through a legally binding Master Pooled Trust joinder agreement."