Determination at the Negotiation Table Proves Successful in Westchester County

According to the Second Addendum to the eighth New York State Department of Health Administrative Directive issued in 1996, it states “verification that the income was placed into the trust is required. In order to eliminate the need to verify this on a monthly basis, it is recommended that you advise the recipient to divert the income directly to the exception trust.” To ensure the New York State Department of Social Services offices are correctly following this policy, an ongoing initiative has been conducted by the Center for Disability Rights, Inc. Community Supplemental Needs Trust. The purpose of this initiative has been to ensure as many counties as possible follow the method of Annual Verification proving the Trust Beneficiary have placed their funds into their trust accounts on a monthly basis.

Meaning if the county follows the annual method of verification, the Pooled Trust would only be required to provide this verification at the consumer’s point of recertification. The advantages for the county to have the annual process as opposed to requiring verification on a monthly basis are beneficial for both the consumers and the counties as a whole. If the county provides the annual process the consumers are not placed in jeopardy of having their Medicaid benefits being discontinued and its less paperwork placed upon the counties.

Several counties who have adopted the policy of requiring Verification on an Annual basis are only willing to allow this provided the Trust Beneficiary has Direct Deposit with the Center for Disability Rights, Inc. Community Supplemental Needs Trust’s office. After several months at the negotiating table, Westchester County has finally agreed effective immediately they will adopt the policy of Annual Verification provided the Trust Beneficiaries residing in this county has Direct Deposit. This is an important policy change which shall greatly benefit the consumers both our & the Westchester County Department of Social Services office equally serves for the future.