To ensure the health and safety of those we serve, our staff and our community, The Arc of Texas staff is working remotely. We are still responding to emails, and staff is available by phone at 1-800-252-9729 or 512-454-6694. Our goal is that everyone experience as little disruption as possible but please allow additional time to process any disbursement requests, new enrollments or other general inquiries. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate this unprecedented event.

Please send any non-electronic correspondence including joinder agreements by USPS.

The Arc of Texas Master Pooled Trust is a pooled special needs trust managed by The Arc of Texas with approval from the Social Security Administration and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The goal of the Master Pooled Trust is to provide financial security to all people with disabilities, and thus a higher quality of life, knowing that their public benefits are safeguarded.

Why you can Trust the Master Pooled Trust

Affordability & Accessibility

The Master Pooled Trust was designed with lower fees and low minimum deposits. The low fees for establishing and maintaining a sub-account are attractive to families and beneficiaries, compared to a traditional bank trust. There are low minimum and no maximum limits on an account with the Master Pooled Trust. The Arc of Texas also knows and understands the issues families with disabilities face so we make accessing the money an easy process.

Safety & Security

The Arc of Texas' simple and prompt disbursement procedures allow beneficiaries and their families to use the funds to meet the beneficiary’s needs. Our Master Pooled Trust team continues to earn excellent customer service satisfaction ratings, and our investments are professionally managed by our Trustee.

Expertise & Skill

Years

The Arc of Texas is a known and trusted organization with a 65 plus-year history of helping people with disabilities. The Arc of Texas knows the trust laws and governmental requirements, and how to best serve the needs of persons with disabilities

Value for Individual

Individuals who receive a personal injury settlement, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) back payment, inheritance or those with any holdings in a savings account may benefit, as the Master Pooled Trust enables them to use their funds while not jeopardizing their means-tested government benefits, like SSI or Medicaid.

Value for Families

Families are equally well served by the Master Pooled Trust. The Arc of Texas can hold, protect and administer inherited money in a professional, caring and cost-effective manner. Parents or family members who wish to provide funds to benefit their loved one with a disability can do so immediately or in the future from an insurance policy, an estate or other sources. And a third-party sub-account in the Master Pooled Trust helps ensure that your family member is cared for when you pass away.

Testimonials

Real life stories from current members of the Trust.

"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."

Todd's Story

"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."

Brianne's Story

"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."

Ethan's Story

"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."