Pooled Special Needs Trust in Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island · Nonprofit trustee since 1971
Protect benefits and savings with a pooled special needs trust in Rhode Island
A pooled special needs trust lets a Rhode Islander with a disability keep savings, a settlement or an inheritance without losing Medicaid or SSI. PLAN of MA & RI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an office in Providence. We manage first-party and third-party pooled trusts for people of any age, and every beneficiary has a licensed social worker who helps them use their funds well.
Since 1995
Our first-party master trust has served beneficiaries for three decades.
Licensed social workers
Service coordination is included for every beneficiary, at no extra charge.
No minimum deposit
We recommend funding with at least $10,000 so fees stay proportionate.
7–10 day disbursements
Approved requests are typically paid within 7 to 10 days.
What is a pooled trust in Rhode Island?
A pooled trust is a special needs trust run by a nonprofit organization. Each beneficiary has their own separate sub-account, and the money is pooled only for investment, which keeps costs low and gives smaller accounts access to professional management.
Because the trust, not the individual, owns the assets, they don’t count toward the asset limits for Rhode Island Medicaid or SSI. Rhode Island’s Medicaid rules (210-RICR-50-00-6.11) recognize pooled trust sub-accounts held within a nonprofit master trust.
Federal law requires a pooled trust to be managed by a nonprofit. PLAN has done this work in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 1971.
Who a pooled trust is for
- Rhode Islanders with a physical, developmental, mental health or age-related disability
- People who receive, or will need, Medicaid or SSI
- Adults 65 and older who need a special needs trust
- Families planning for a child or adult child with a disability
- People without a family member able to serve as trustee
Two ways to fund a trust
PLAN's pooled trusts for Rhode Island
Funded with the beneficiary's own money
First-Party Pooled Trust
Part of the MARC Special Needs Pooled Trust, established in 1995. Used when the person with a disability receives money in their own name, such as:
- A personal injury or malpractice settlement
- An inheritance left directly to them
- SSI or SSDI back payments
- Proceeds from selling a home
- Savings over the Medicaid or SSI asset limit
When the beneficiary dies, PLAN retains a charitable share for its Community Fund (10% if within two years of joining, 20% after). The state Medicaid program is then repaid for benefits it paid, and anything left goes where the donor directed.
Funded by family or friends
Third-Party Pooled Trust
Established in 2005. Parents, grandparents and others use it to leave money for a loved one with a disability without affecting their benefits, through:
- A will or living trust
- Life insurance or retirement account beneficiary designations
- Gifts during the donor's lifetime
- A future-funded account opened now, with no annual fee until funded
There is no Medicaid payback. Whatever remains after the beneficiary’s lifetime is distributed according to the donor’s wishes.
What it costs
Our annual fee covers everything: trust administration, social work support, disbursements and your annual statement. There are no per-request charges.
| Fee | First-party pooled trust | Third-party pooled trust |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment fee | $600–$750 | $500 |
| PLAN annual fee (administration, service coordination, disbursements, record keeping) | 2% on the first $1,000,000; 0% on the balance over $1 million | |
| Professional investment management | 0.75% of the trust balance | |
| Annual tax preparation | $231 | $378 |
| Account closing fee | $500 | $500 |
| Final tax preparation | $378 | $378 |
| Future-funded trusts | Accepted. Annual fees are waived until the account is funded. | |
Fees as of October 2026. See the full trust comparison for details.
How to open a pooled trust in Rhode Island
1. Free consultation
Talk with a PLAN specialist about benefits, funding and which trust fits. Our Providence office serves all of Rhode Island.
2. Complete the joinder
Sign a joinder agreement to open a sub-account in PLAN's master trust, usually with help from your attorney. Apply online or use our forms.
3. Fund the account
Deposit settlement proceeds, savings or other assets. PLAN has no minimum deposit but recommends at least $10,000.
4. Meet your service coordinator
A licensed social worker gets to know the beneficiary and helps request disbursements, typically paid within 7–10 days.
Ready to start? Download the forms, see our attorney partners, or read how to set up a special needs trust.
How to compare pooled trusts in Rhode Island
Rhode Island families have more than one nonprofit pooled trust to choose from. Ask each trustee these questions before you enroll:
- Is a licensed social worker assigned to each beneficiary, and is that included in the fee?
- How long does it take to receive a disbursement once a request is approved?
- What are the enrollment, annual, tax and closing fees, and are they a flat rate or a percentage?
- Who manages the investments, and are there investment options?
- What share of the account does the trustee keep when the beneficiary dies?
- Does the trustee also serve Massachusetts if the beneficiary moves?
FAQ: Pooled trusts in Rhode Island
Can someone over 65 in Rhode Island join PLAN's pooled trust?
Yes. PLAN’s pooled trusts accept beneficiaries of any age. How Rhode Island Medicaid treats a transfer made at 65 or older depends on the person’s situation, so talk with your elder law attorney or call our Providence office before you fund the account.
Does PLAN serve all of Rhode Island?
Yes. From our Providence office we serve beneficiaries throughout the state, including Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Newport and South County.
What can a pooled trust pay for?
Trust funds can pay for things public benefits don’t cover, such as medical and dental costs, therapies, transportation, education, recreation, clothing, furniture, technology and personal care. Your service coordinator reviews each request so that spending doesn’t put benefits at risk. See disbursements from your trust.
Is there a minimum deposit?
No. PLAN recommends funding a trust with at least $10,000 so the account has enough to make a difference after fees.
Do I need an attorney to open a pooled trust?
Many families work with an elder law or special needs attorney to complete the joinder agreement, and PLAN works with attorney partners across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. You can start with a free consultation with PLAN.
What happens to the money when the beneficiary dies?
For a first-party trust, PLAN retains a charitable share for its Community Fund, the state Medicaid program is repaid for benefits it provided, and any remainder is distributed as the donor directed. For a third-party trust, there is no Medicaid payback and the remainder goes where the donor directed. Final disbursements are made 14–16 months after the date of death.
Is PLAN's pooled trust only for Rhode Island?
No. PLAN serves Massachusetts and Rhode Island. If a beneficiary moves between the two states, they keep the same trustee and service coordinator. Learn about pooled trusts in Massachusetts.
Talk with our Rhode Island team
PLAN of MA & RI · 1 Richmond Square, 331 Waterman St., Suite 225W, Providence, RI 02906. Visits are by appointment.