Trust Program
Laying the groundwork for a more secure financial future.
ARC stands for Advocacy, Resources and Commitment. Our Trust Program applies all three to determining and protecting the financial future of individuals with disabilities.
What is a trust? A trust is a legal entity that owns and manages assets for the benefit of an individual. In the case of an ARC Trust Program, the person benefiting is an individual with a disability. Unlike other trusts, ARC’s Trust Program considers current and/or future public benefit programs.
Why is a trust important? Planning for future financial and service needs for a loved one with a disability gives families peace of mind and the individual a lifetime of security and protection. As funding for community–based programming becomes more limited and competitive, individuals and families are unexpectedly finding they may be placed on waiting lists for years before they are eligible to receive services. A further complication is that traditional benefit programs often cannot meet all of an individual’s needs. All of which makes setting up a financial plan an essential part of the Life Plan for an individual with a disability.
Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, ARC of Greater Milwaukee created the Trust Program. This is a financial tool that allows families to leave assets to a loved one with a disability without negatively impacting the individual’s public benefits. The Trust helps families develop a plan for the future, improve their loved ones quality of life and decrease their reliance on the government for community services. ARC has no financial interest in the trust accounts.
Funding your loved one’s trust.
A Funded trust is available for immediate use and is funded through current assets.
An unfunded trust will be funded in the future. Each trust is funded based on the individual’s or family’s assets and can be funded with any combination of the following: Life Insurance Policy, Future Estate Plan, Will, Cash Assets, and/or Personal Injury Settlement.
The trust can be used to pay for:
- Recreation programs, summer camps and social activities
- Transportation equipment and services
- Family visits and vacations and the cost of a companion if needed
- Entertainment equipment
- Non–covered medical expenses, therapeutic programs and equipment
- Real estate titled in the trust
- Cost of in–home service and care providers
- Services provided by attorneys, accountants and other professionals
- Reimbursements for expenses incurred by guardians and family members
- Prepaid funeral arrangements, cemetery plots, markers, etc.
Helping you plan for the financial future. In addition to providing the Trust Program, we can help you learn about estate planning and other trust issues. Please call us to learn more about our Trust Program services including fees and program information. We also offer a listing of attorneys and financial planners that specialize in trusts as well as training programs on financial planning and the community trust.
A full spectrum of support. In addition to our Trust Program, ARC of Greater Milwaukee also offers a lifetime of support to individuals and their families through:
- Case Management
- Corporate Guardianship
- Advocacy
- Information and Assistance
- Community Training Services