Special Needs Trust

Eligibility

Caregivers setting up the SNT (Settlor) should be

• 21 years and above 
• Has mental capacity 
• Not an undischarged bankrupt

You can set up an SNT account for a person with special needs¹ (Beneficiary) who is:

• A Singaporean or Permanent Resident, and
• Residing in Singapore 
  

¹As defined by Singapore's Enabling Masterplans, a “person with special needs” refers to those whose prospects of securing, retaining places and advancing in education and training institutions, employment and recreation as equal members of the community are substantially reduced as a result of physical, sensory, intellectual and/or developmental impairments. This may also include persons with mental disabilities and dementia.

Setting Up Special Needs Trust

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2. Set-Up Requirements & Process

To set up an SNT account for the Beneficiary, an initial deposit of $5,000 is required. With MSF’s support, our fees are affordable – empowering you to provide for your loved one with special needs.

² Fees required to set up an SNT account and subsidies provided by MSF are subject to change.

Sponsorships are also available for lower-income families who are eligible. SG Enable Case Managers will invite eligible caregivers to apply for suitable sponsorship schemes during the trust set-up process. 

Once the SNT account has been set up, you can choose to top up the trust account anytime with your cash savings, will, CPF and/or insurance nominations. The Public Trustee’s Office holds and invests the SNT funds, and the principal value of the trust fund is guaranteed by the Singapore government.

As part of the set-up process, SG Enable Case Managers will review the Care Plan with you and update the Letter of Intent to capture the Beneficiary’s changing needs. We will also record your wishes in the Letter of Intent on the disbursement of trust fund for your loved one. 

3. Trust Activation & Termination

Upon your passing or incapacity, the SNT account will be activated for the Beneficiary, and we will act according to your wishes in disbursing the funds for the long-term care needs of the Beneficiary.

What happens upon activation? 

• We will conduct a home visit for an immediate needs assessment of the Beneficiary, to follow-up on the Care Plan and discuss his/her accommodation needs. 
• We will work with relevant parties including executors of your will, insurance companies, and CPF Board to oversee the transfer of assets into the SNT account. 
• Funds will be disbursed monthly or periodically in accordance with your wishes set out in the Letter of Intent. 
• Reviews will be conducted with your appointed caregiver to review and update the Care Plan as well as verify the balance in the SNT account against disbursements made during the year. 
• SG Enable Case Managers will make periodic home visits to check on the Beneficiary’s welfare when you are no longer around. 
• We will work with your appointed caregiver to receive help from available resources in the community to support your loved one should the monies in the SNT account run low. 

Termination of the SNT account

The SNT account will be terminated when one of the following circumstances happens:

• Upon the passing of the Beneficiary – We will distribute any balance of the trust fund to your appointed Residual Beneficiaries as named in the Trust Deed.
• When the trust funds are fully utilised or otherwise exhausted before the passing of the Beneficiary.
• The Beneficiary no longer resides in Singapore. We will transfer the balance of the trust fund to another trust account in the country where he/she resides.