Pikula v. Dept. of Social Services

Summary

The court held that the plaintiff's testamentary trust was a supplemental needs trust, not a general support trust, and therefore was not an available asset for determining Medicaid eligibility. The trustee's sole and absolute discretion, the absence of an enforceable distribution standard, the ability to accumulate unused income, and the trust's relatively modest value showed that the plaintiff could not compel distributions. The judgment dismissing the plaintiff's administrative appeal was reversed and the case was remanded for judgment sustaining her appeal.