BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n Many clients who receive personal injury settlements are receiving important public benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid.\u00a0 SSI is an income stream that pays an individual monies intended to be used for food and shelter.\u00a0 For 2013, the maximum federal benefit rate is $710.\u00a0 In New Jersey, there is a state supplement of $31.25.\u00a0 In Pennsylvania, the supplement is $27.40.\u00a0\u00a0 Medicaid pays for medical and pharmaceutical services for Medicaid recipients.\u00a0 It covers services that private insurance will not provide, including and most importantly home care.\u00a0 Both the SSI and Medicaid programs have an asset limit of $2,000.\u00a0 This means that if the individual receiving SSI and Medicaid receives a personal injury settlement, he or she will be ineligible for both SSI and Medicaid.<\/p>\n In 1993, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA \u201993) in which Congress authorized the establishment of special needs trusts.\u00a0 Assets transferred to these trusts are (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BACKGROUND Many clients who receive personal injury settlements are receiving important public benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid.\u00a0 SSI is an income stream that pays an individual monies intended to be used for food and shelter.\u00a0 For 2013, the maximum…<\/span><\/p>\n