Examiner.com:  “A traditional estate planning directive like a simple will or a trust with outright distributions doesn't work well for a person with special needs that is now, or may be in the future, receiving government benefits. In fact, it may cause that individual to be ineligible for benefits, and that could be disastrous.

Planning for a person with special needs requires knowledge of the various benefit programs, their rules and restrictions and the planning directives that work best to preserve benefits. The outright receipt of a gift or inheritance, either intentionally or accidentally, can jeopardize benefits. Well meaning family members and some well meaning professionals can (and unfortunately have) caused a friend or family member with special needs to lose their benefits.”