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As the parent or guardian of a person with a disability, you may have heard of a special needs trust. This type of trust can play an essential role in providing financial support for your loved one with special needs throughout their lifetime. If you're living in Illinois and wondering how a special needs trust can benefit your family, keep reading. What Is a Special Needs Trust? A special needs trust is a legal tool that provides financial assistance to a person with a disability, without causing them to lose eligibility for government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. The trust can be set up by a parent, grandparent, guardian, or court, and is managed by a trustee. The trustee is responsible for making distributions from the trust to cover the beneficiary's expenses, such as medical bills, home care, therapy, education, and other needs not covered by public benefits. Why Should You Consider a Special Needs Trust? Without a special needs trust, if you provide a sizeable inheritance to your loved one with disabilities, it could cause them to lose their eligibility for public benefits. Instead, with a special needs trust, you can ensure that your family member will continue receiving the government assistance they need while providing them with additional financial support.