UTMA and 529 Accounts for a Child with Special Needs (Special Needs Alliance: Special Needs Require Special Lawyers.) (Report‪)‬

Mark has cerebral palsy. He was approved for SSI and Medicaid when he turned 18. His father, Paul, disclosed to the Social Security Administration at the time of application that Mark had $30,000 in a UTMA ("Uniform Transfers to Minors Act") account, and $20,000 in a Qualified Tuition Program (QTP) or 529 Plan. Social Security assured Paul that the UTMA and 529 Plan would not affect Mark's eligibility for SSI benefits. Mark is now 25 years old. In January, Mark received $3,000 from the 529 Plan. He spent $2,800 for tuition and fees. He intends to spend the remaining $200 on books. The distribution was properly reported to the Social Security field office.