Family Pooled Fund Proudly Serving Persons with Disabilities for Over 30 Years

Clearwater Family Pooled Fund Services

Third-Party Pooled Trust Administration for Families Throughout Florida & the U.S.

FND Trust Services administers the Family Pooled Fund as a third-party pooled trust: a trust funded by family members and friends of a person with disabilities, not by the person with disabilities themselves. That distinction matters. Because the funds never belong to the beneficiary, there’s no Medicaid payback requirement and no Medicaid lien attached to the remaining balance. Families can plan generously with a structure designed to help preserve the public benefits their loved one depends on.

Our Family Pooled Fund is a pool of third-party special needs trusts designed to preserve eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other public benefits, whether those benefits are in place now or may be needed in the future. Participant funds are pooled for investment and professional money management, giving each sub-account access to financial administration that would be difficult to replicate in a smaller individual trust. For details on contributions and allocations, visit our dedicated page.

To learn more about participating in our Family Pooled Fund, give us a call at (727) 291-8046. We’re committed to the highest-quality trust administration, communication, and transparency.

How the Family Pooled Fund Works

Just as with the FND National Pooled Trust, all participant funds in the Family Pooled Fund are gathered into a single pool for investment and professional trust administration. Each participant maintains an individual sub-account within that pool, so contributions are tracked and managed separately for every beneficiary. By combining assets across participants, the fund can access professional money management that wouldn’t be practical for a smaller individual trust.

The Family Pooled Fund offers three core advantages for families:

Professional trustee & money management: Participants receive the same professional trustee and money management services enjoyed by members of the FND National Pooled Trust.
No Medicaid payback requirement: Because contributions come from family members or friends, not the beneficiary, there’s no payback obligation to Medicaid and no Medicaid lien on the funds at the beneficiary’s death.
Maximum planning flexibility: Contributions can be made during the contributor’s lifetime, and the fund is compatible with estate plans and bequests, giving families a structure that can support a loved one across a lifetime.

We respond to fund requests within 48 hours, often on the same day. Beneficiaries and their representatives have 24/7 online access to trust balance and account information, plus monthly statements and annual accounting.

Who Participates in the Family Pooled Fund

Family members and friends of a person with disabilities may contribute to the Family Pooled Fund. The beneficiary is the person with disabilities. Unlike first-party special needs trusts, third-party pooled trusts carry no age restriction on the beneficiary, so families can establish or contribute to the fund regardless of where their loved one is in life.

Contributions may include cash, investments, or other assets. The fund is also compatible with estate planning: families can direct bequests or designate the trust through life insurance to continue financial support after a contributing family member’s passing. Each participant executes a joinder agreement specific to the pooled trust, which must comply with applicable state requirements for disability determination.

We serve families in Florida and across the U.S., working alongside individuals, their families, and legal professionals to plan, establish, and maintain each sub-account. Our team coordinates with attorneys and advisors wherever the family is located.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Family Pooled Fund

Families considering the Family Pooled Fund often have questions about how it compares to other trust structures, what it can be used for, and how to get started. The answers below address what we hear most often.

What’s the Difference Between the Family Pooled Fund & a First-Party Pooled Trust?

The Family Pooled Fund is funded with money from family members or friends, not from the beneficiary’s own assets. This means the funds aren’t subject to a Medicaid payback requirement at the beneficiary’s death. First-party pooled trusts are funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and carry a payback obligation to Medicaid for benefits paid during the beneficiary’s lifetime.

What Can Family Pooled Fund Distributions Be Used For?

Distributions can cover supplemental needs that public benefits don’t pay for, including specialized therapies, transportation, dental care beyond insurance, assistive technology, education, recreational activities, and personal care items. Distributions must be structured carefully to help avoid affecting SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and our team administers each one with that requirement in mind.

Does the Beneficiary Need to Already Receive SSI or Medicaid to Participate?

No. A person with disabilities may be eligible for SSI or Medicaid now or in the future, and families can contribute proactively before any benefits are in place. The trust structure is designed to preserve that eligibility whenever it becomes relevant, not only after benefits have started.

How Do I Start Participating in the Family Pooled Fund?

Contact FND Trust Services to discuss your family’s situation. We work with families and their attorneys to determine whether the Family Pooled Fund is the right fit, complete the required joinder agreement, and establish the sub-account. We serve families throughout Florida and the U.S.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us at (727) 291-8046 to discuss the Family Pooled Fund and how FND Trust Services can support your family throughout Florida and across the U.S.

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Why FND Trust Services?

Florida Trust Services You Can Count On

Quick Response
Our goal is to make sure that our beneficiaries have access to funds that they need, when they need them, with as little difficulty as possible.
Service
We provide a “no mess, no fuss” solution to special needs trust administration for our beneficiaries and the professionals who serve them.
Transparency
We offer beneficiaries and their representatives instant access to balance and account information. We also provide monthly statements and annual accounting.
Stability
FND has been in existence for over 30 years. We have many programs including Federal and State grants for persons with disabilities, their families, and those who serve them.
Accountability
Since we are fortunate to receive a number of Federal and State grants, we are required to have annual independent audits of all our programs and operations.
Independent Financial Management
We retain independent financial advisors, money managers, and custodians, who all serve at the discretion of the Trustee in an arm’s-length relationship.