The UJA-Federation of New York Community Trusts

We offer two trusts that allow concerned parties to provide for the long-term needs of adults with disabilities. Both trusts bring together the investment, legal, and administrative expertise of UJA-Federation's Planned Giving & Endowments department with the social service and advocacy expertise of OHEL Children's Home and Family Services (OHEL). Once the trust accounts are established and funded, OHEL immediately initiates personal advocacy services for the trust beneficiary. Read more about the differences between each trust below:

UJA-Federation Community Trust for Adults with Disabilities

The UJA-Federation Community Trust for Adults with Disabilities ("The Third-Party Trust") is designed to assist families in providing for the future needs of a physically, emotionally, or developmentally disabled family member ("Trust Beneficiary"). It is a third-party, supplemental-needs trust through which any individual(s) other than the Trust Beneficiary can set up an account using his or her own funds. By opening a trust account, a relative or other concerned third party (the "Sponsor") can provide for both the financial and advocacy needs of the disabled individual. The disbursements from the trust account will be made on behalf of the Trust Beneficiary without jeopardizing his or her eligibility for government entitlement programs.

The Third-Party Trust account requires a minimum total investment of $100,000. The Sponsor has two options to fund a Third-Party Trust:

1. Upon signing the sponsor agreement, a minimum of $20,000 must be invested. The remainder is to be paid over a five-year period.
2. The Sponsor can create a testamentary trust that will be funded upon his or her death.

Additional funds may be added to a trust account by any interested party at any time. The trust account, once funded, is irrevocable. Upon the death of the Trust Beneficiary, the remaining funds, if any, are distributed as designated by the Sponsor.

Advantages of the UJA-Federation Community Trust for Adults with Disabilities include:

A. Advocacy for individuals with disabilities
B. Person with disability maintains eligibility for government benefits
C. Disbursements from the trust for quality-of-life items (i.e., expenses not covered by government benefits)
D. Concerned third party receives assistance in caring for the disabled individual

UJA-Federation of New York Community Trust IV for Individuals with Disabilities

The UJA-Federation of New York Community Trust IV for Individuals with Disabilities (“The Self-Settled Trust”) is designed to assist individuals with physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities ("Trust Beneficiary") in providing for their future needs. It is a self-settled, supplemental-needs trust, established with funds belonging solely to a Trust Beneficiary of any age. By establishing an irrevocable trust account, the individual is able to receive government entitlements without having to spend down his or her assets. The trust disburses funds from the account on behalf of the Trust Beneficiary.

The Self-Settled Trust can be opened with a minimum of $50,000, and the account can be fully funded immediately or over a five-year period. The disabled individual, a parent, a concerned third party, or a court can sign a Sponsor agreement to open an account, but the funds must belong exclusively to the disabled individual. The trust account can be funded with the personal savings of the Trust Beneficiary or funds received from an inheritance or a settlement of a personal injury case. Additional funds may be added at any time. Once established and funded, this irrevocable trust becomes active and services begin.

Advantages of the UJA-Federation Community Trust IV for Individuals with Disabilities include:

A. Advocacy for individuals with disabilities
B. Government entitlements without having to spend down assets
C. Disbursements from the trust for quality-of-life items (i.e., expenses not covered by government benefits)

For more information contact Irina Tuchina at 212.836.1150 or tuchinai@ujafedny.org.