Trust in your future.
We help you and your loved ones with disabilities plan for the future, providing financial security while protecting your eligibility for public assistance programs like Medicaid and SSI.
The Georgia Community Trust (GCT) of BDI is a Pooled Special Needs Trust (PSNT) available to any Georgia resident living with a disability.
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Anita >> The lovely Patricia Nichol. She came in the summer of 2019 to open a Special Needs Trust. She, um, had funds from inheriting money from her mother. She had fiery red hair and a vivacious, wonderful laugh. We hit it off immediately. I knew we were kindred spirits. We laughed and giggled almost the entire process. It was a lot of fun.
Patricia >> Anita is my sister as far as I’m concerned. She…we hit it off immediately when I met her. And, um, we see eye to eye. I can say anything to her. I can tell her any need, or even if it’s emotional support.
I got MS when I was 49 years old, and, um, I didn’t know anything really about it. The only thing—when I thought of MS, I thought of Annette Funicello, which was a movie star back in the ’60s—beach movies and all that.
When you become disabled, you don’t get a playbook on what to do. Where do you go for help? You’ve got the obvious of Medicaid or something like that, but to make something of your life, if you still desire that, you need much more direction and help. And I feel now I have a place to help me with my dreams.
Anita >> While having the Special Needs Trust, she was able to purchase a vehicle for herself, so that her caregivers could get her around, and she didn’t have to depend on someone else driving her or taking MARTA Mobility. She was also able to buy a new wheelchair, which she was super excited about and quite spunky when she got it. She raced into the office with it and showed us all, which we really, really enjoyed.
Patricia >> And that’s the most important thing to me is my independence and being able to get in this chair.
Veronica >> What’s really important about GCT is that we can offer individuals like Patricia a way that they can secure their inheritances or their settlement agreements, so that they can maintain their federal benefits such as Social Security and Medicaid, which is essential for these individuals, especially when you have complex medical conditions and you need support systems like a caregiver.
So what the trust can then allow is that they can maintain all those benefits while enhancing their quality of life. And for somebody like Patricia, it was getting her out, getting her in the community.
Patricia >> Family is your safety net, you know, is the way I look at it. And when all your safety nets are gone, you’re like, “Oh my God, I’m free-falling.” You know? And I feel like BDI is there to catch me.
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How a trust can help you:
- Managing Funds
Expertly managed funds that protect your future. - Protecting Access
Protect your access to crucial benefit programs like Medicaid and SSI - Expert Guidance
Compassionate and experienced staff to guide your investment journey - Low Fees
Low administrative fees and zero hidden fees
- Nonprofit Backing
Managed by a nonprofit with expertise in benefits consulting - Direct Access to Funds
Provides multiple options to access funds, including Visa card, direct deposit and direct bill pay - Straight-Forward Withdraws
Timely and reliable disbursements, typically within a two-day window.
Who can set up a trust?
Families
Regardless of your age or your child’s age or disability, planning for the future is important. The Georgia Community Trust, managed by BDI, is a way for you to ensure that even after you are gone, you are able to provide for your children.
Created in 1997, the Georgia Community Trust allows you to provide for a person with a disability in an estate, so that they do not disqualify from public assistance. It also ensures that these funds will be safely managed and invested.
Individuals with disabilities
If you are living with a disability and want to ensure a comfortable future without risking your eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid, SSI and SSDI, the Georgia Community Trust can help
For example, you might receive a large sum of money like an inheritance, a lump sum back-payment from Social Security or a lawsuit settlement. You can place those funds in our Trust, rather than spending all of your money quickly just to stay eligible for government benefits.
Professionals
The Georgia Community Trust is the only community trust available to all residents in the State of Georgia who have a disability. Whether you are an attorney, financial planner or a provider of services to people with disabilities, we are here to assist you and your participants every step of the way.
We can meet with you and your participants wherever is most convenient – at their home or business, at your office, or at our office. Together, we’ll discuss the Georgia Community Trust and assist in preparing the paperwork to establish the trust that will best meet the needs of your participant.