FND National Pooled Trust Proudly Serving Persons with Disabilities for Over 30 Years

FND National Pooled Trust

Florida Pooled Trust Services: Secure Your Future

At FND Trust Services, our primary goal is to help our beneficiaries achieve the highest quality of life possible. We accomplish this by protecting assets and making it as easy as possible for beneficiaries or their representatives to access the money they need when they need it. The money you place in the FND National Pooled Trust can be used for anything that will improve the beneficiary’s quality of life, as long as it doesn’t interfere with public benefits. There is no minimum deposit required for a pooled trust in Florida.

What Is a Pooled Trust?

A pooled trust is a type of special needs trust that is established and administered by a not-for-profit organization. Each beneficiary of the trust has a separate account, but for investing and management purposes, the accounts are pooled together. This opens the door to more stable investments and better trust management. It also eliminates the need to create an individual trust for each beneficiary. Florida pooled trusts have different minimum deposits, fees and policies.

Maximize Benefits with a Florida Pooled Trust

A pooled trust allows individuals to become eligible for government assistance while having assets in a trust.

They can provide benefits for:

Younger people who have special needs
Recipients of personal injury settlements
Elderly persons who are unwell and still living at home
Recipients/applicants of government aided programs

Enhance Quality of Life with a Pooled Trust in Florida

A pooled trust can help pay for a number of things. Also, depending on the trust, the beneficiary might consult with an advisor or social worker to create a distribution plan for the funds that best fits their lifestyle. It can pay for:

Living expenses, (clothes, food, rent, real estate taxes, utilities)
Nursing care
Medical procedures
Entertainment/travel expenses
Attorney fees

Understanding Pooled Trust Fees in Florida

Pooled trusts typically charge an initial enrollment fee and ongoing administrative fees. The amount of these fees can vary depending on the organization managing the trust and the services offered.

The enrollment fee is usually a one-time charge that covers the cost of setting up the trust account. This fee can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the organization. Some organizations may offer fee waivers or reduced fees for low-income individuals or those with specific types of disabilities.

The ongoing administrative fees are charged to cover the costs of managing the trust account, such as record-keeping, investment management, and trust disbursements. These fees are usually based on a percentage of the trust assets, ranging from 1% to 2% per year. Some organizations also charge flat fees or tiered fees based on the size of the trust assets.

Commonly Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a pooled trust in Florida?

A pooled trust in Florida offers numerous advantages for individuals with special needs or those receiving government assistance. By placing assets in a pooled trust, beneficiaries can maintain eligibility for public benefits while still having access to funds for various needs. Additionally, pooled trusts are managed by not-for-profit organizations, which can provide professional oversight and potentially lower fees compared to individual trusts.

How does a pooled trust protect my assets?

A pooled trust protects your assets by allowing you to place them in a trust that is managed collectively with other beneficiaries' funds. This arrangement ensures that your assets are not counted against eligibility for government assistance programs, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). By keeping your assets in a pooled trust, you can use the funds for personal expenses and services that improve your quality of life without jeopardizing your access to essential public benefits.

How do I get started with a pooled trust in Florida?

The first step is to contact a not-for-profit organization that offers pooled trust services. They will guide you through the enrollment process, which typically involves completing an application and providing necessary documentation about the beneficiary's financial situation. Once enrolled, you will need to make an initial deposit. After the trust is established, you can work with the organization to develop a distribution plan that meets the beneficiary's needs. It's advisable to ask questions about fees, services, and how the trust will be managed to ensure it aligns with your goals.

Choose Between Pooled Trust and Special Needs Trust

A pooled trust is a type of special needs trust. Special needs trusts are created to protect the assets of a physically or mentally disabled person while still allowing them to receive government assistance.

Pooled trusts are a way to provide the benefits of a special needs trust without having to set up and administer a separate trust. As with special needs trusts, pooled trusts can be funded with assets from a third party or assets of the person with special needs. Pooled trusts are required to be run by non-profit companies. The non-profit develops a master trust agreement governing all participants. Because a pooled trust accepts contributions from many beneficiaries, in theory the pooled trust is able to make more stable investments and provide additional management services that another type of special needs trust might not be able to provide. Like a special needs trust, transfers into a pooled trust do not preclude a person with special needs from receiving government benefits.

There are several distinctions between a pooled trust and a special needs trust:

The pooled trust will usually keep a portion of the beneficiary’s trust account to help fund other pooled trusts, while third-party special needs trusts allow 100% of the assets to pass to other family members.
A pooled trust is managed by the manager selected by the non-profit and not by a friend or family member that has a personal relationship with the beneficiary.
With a pooled trust, the non-profit entity has control of the investments and disbursements. Once you surrender your money to the pooled trust you have no control over how it is spent or invested.

Despite these distinctions, pooled trusts can be a great option if the amount available to fund the trust is small or where there is no person able or willing to serve as trustee.

If you are interested in setting up a pooled trust in Florida, FND USA is here to help guide you through the process. Contact us today to review your case and to schedule a consultation for a pooled trust!

Learn more about the FND National Pooled Trust and our Florida trust services by calling (727) 291-8046. We will be happy to explain your options, your rights, and how we can help.

No minimum balance required
No minimum fees
No minimum amount required to join
No hidden charges or fees

The Family Network on Disabilities (FND) National Pooled Trust offers a way for persons with disabilities, their families, and their representatives to preserve income and assets without jeopardizing public benefits. A person with a disability may be entitled to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, but if they receive an inheritance or have other assets, they may be rendered ineligible. The FND National Pooled Trust can preserve the income and assets of a person with a disability and can offer family members a way to leave inheritances or offer support in addition to government benefits.

The FND National Pooled Trust embraces all persons with disabilities, from infants to the elderly. We operate from the belief of supporting the independence of our beneficiaries whenever possible. Family Network and Disabilities and FND Trust serve hundreds of thousands of persons with disabilities every year.

Serving individuals and families across the U.S., the FND National Pooled Trust can offer you the protection and support you need. Contact us at (727) 291-8046 today to learn more about our Florida trust company.

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Why FND Trust Services?

Florida Trust Services You Can Count On

Quick Response
Our goal is to make sure that our beneficiaries have access to funds that they need, when they need them, with as little difficulty as possible.
Service
We provide a “no mess, no fuss” solution to special needs trust administration for our beneficiaries and the professionals who serve them.
Transparency
We offer beneficiaries and their representatives instant access to balance and account information. We also provide monthly statements and annual accounting.
Stability
FND has been in existence for over 30 years. We have many programs including Federal and State grants for persons with disabilities, their families, and those who serve them.
Accountability
Since we are fortunate to receive a number of Federal and State grants, we are required to have annual independent audits of all our programs and operations.
Independent Financial Management
We retain independent financial advisors, money managers, and custodians, who all serve at the discretion of the Trustee in an arm’s-length relationship.