Frequently asked questions

Top FAQs for beneficiaries and their advocates

1. Only things for you
   Your trust funds can only be used to pay for things for you, as the beneficiary of the trust. They cannot be used to buy things for family members, friends, partners, or anyone else.
2. No direct access to funds
   You cannot take money out of your trust or access the funds by yourself. If you need to pay for something with trust funds, you must tell GSPT and get approval. GSPT will then process the payment. We cannot send a check directly to you.
3. No cash
   GSPT cannot give you cash. If you need to buy something that requires cash, please let us know so we can find another solution.
4. Reimbursements are allowed … sometimes
   If you buy something using cash, a check, or a debit card, we cannot reimburse you.If you have a beneficiary advocate or caregiver who buys something for you, GSPT may be able to reimburse that person.  They will need to submit a reimbursement request and an invoice or receipt.
5. No food, housing, or utilities … in general
   A special needs trust is supposed to pay for things that are not covered by your government benefits. If we pay for things that are already covered, your benefits may be reduced or you may even lose your benefits.
   
   If you receive SSI, the trust will typically not pay for food, housing, or utilities. However, there may be some circumstances when it makes sense for GSPT to pay for these things – even if your benefits are reduced. GSPT will consider these situations very carefully.

   Examples of things we typically cannot pay for, if you receive SSI:
   Electricity Food Garbage removal Gas Heating / fuel	Mortgage (including property insurance) Real property taxes Rent Sewer Water

6. Things we can pay for
   GSPT can provide money for “supplemental needs” that improve your quality of life. This includes a lot of things! Here are just a few examples.

   Examples of things we can pay for:
   Auto maintenance Books Car Caretaker* Clothes Club membership Computer Educational programs Entertainment (e.g., movies, concert tickets) Eyeglasses Fitness equipment Furniture Health needs that are not covered by your benefits Hobbies Home modifications	House Laundry and dry cleaning Linens, bedding Mobility equipment Music lessons, instruments Personal care items Pets and pet supplies Phone bill Pre-need burial expenses Private nurse Salon services (e.g., hair, nails) Stationery and stamps Stereos and electronics Television and cable bills Transportation costs Travel for your sole benefit Yard service
   *If a family member is acting as your caretaker, additional documentation may be needed; please contact GSPT for more information

1. GSPT pays the merchant directly
   You or your beneficiary advocate can submit a Distribution Request for a specific item or service, and GSPT will pay the merchant directly.
   
   EXAMPLE 1: You find a book you want on Amazon.com and submit a Distribution Request to GSPT. You also provide a web link, so GSPT knows how much the book costs. GSPT approves the request, and then buys the book for you on Amazon.com.
   
   EXAMPLE 2: You need to take your dog to the veterinarian. You call the vet beforehand to find out how much the appointment will cost, and then you submit a Distribution Request to GSPT. After the appointment, the veterinarian sends an invoice directly to GSPT and the trust pays for the bill.
2. Credit card
   You or your beneficiary advocate can use a credit card to pay for approved expenses. Submit the credit card statement to GSPT, as well as receipts. GSPT will only pay for the portion of the bill with approved items. You will need to pay for the rest of the bill.
   
   EXAMPLE 1: Using your credit card, you buy a new coat at Macy’s, movie tickets, and groceries. You send the credit card statement and receipts to GSPT. The trust reviews the purchases and approves the coat and movie tickets – but not the groceries. The trust then sends a check to the credit card company for the cost of the coat and movie tickets. You pay the remainder of the bill, which covers the cost of the groceries.
   
   EXAMPLE 2: Your beneficiary advocate uses their credit card to pay for your Verizon phone bill and your electricity bill. Your advocate then sends the credit card statement and invoices for the phone bill and electricity bill to GSPT. GSPT reviews the purchases and approves the phone bill but not the electricity bill. GSPT then sends a check for the amount of the phone bill to the beneficiary advocate. The beneficiary advocate pays for the full credit card bill.
3. True Link Card
   The True Link Visa Prepaid Card is a reloadable Visa Prepaid card that can be used by beneficiaries and beneficiary advocates. This is a way for you to receive money directly onto a card, and use the card to pay for approved items and services. If you have pre-approved expenses that occur every month, you can automatically get money loaded onto your True Link Card to pay for them. You can also use the card for one-time requests. You or your advocate will need to sign an agreement. Please contact GSPT to learn more about this option.
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   EXAMPLE 1: Every month, you take a drawing class that costs $20. This is a pre-approved expense included in your spending plan. On the day before your class, GSPT automatically loads $20 onto your True Link Card.
   
   EXAMPLE 2: You need to purchase new eyeglasses. You tell GSPT the store where you want to buy them, and the cost. GSPT then puts money for that purchase on your True Link Card.