CCT - Serving the Community Since 1990

Pooled Trust Administration

Pooled Trust Administration

Nationwide Nonprofit

Our mission is to enrich the lives of individuals throughout the United States

who are vulnerable or have a disability.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about Commonwealth Community Trust (CCT). It has been my honor to lead this organization since 2000. 


CCT is client-centered. Our professional and knowledgeable staff are focused on clients’ needs and serve with empathy and integrity. We take great pride in knowing that our services help our clients and provide their loved ones with peace of mind – this is what motivates my staff and me every day. 


Please take a moment to learn more about CCT services. 

– Joanne Marcus, MSW, President & CEO of CCT

First-Party Pooled

Special Needs Trust

Established with the beneficiary’s own funds, usually as a result of a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim or Social Security back payment.

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Third-Party Pooled

Special Needs Trust

Established by a parent, relative, or friend, and can be coordinated with an estate plan, insurance policy, or gift.

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Settlement Preservation Pooled Trust

Established with the beneficiary’s own funds as a result of a personal injury award for the benefit of a vulnerable individual or minor.

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Military Survivor Benefit Plan First-Party Pooled Special Needs Trust

Established with annuity payments from the Survivor Benefit Plan for the benefit of a dependent child who has special needs.

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special needs non-profit organization

How can a Pooled Trust help you?

CCT is committed to providing:

  • A cost-effective, efficient, and convenient way to set aside funds 
  • Opportunity for beneficiaries to have an improved quality of life 
  • Expert knowledge of the ever-changing rules governing Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to protect benefit eligibility 
  • Potential for growth over time as the funds are “pooled” for investment purposes 
  • Low funding requirement and administrative fees 
  • Trustworthy and experienced staff who are sensitive to the needs of our beneficiaries 
  • An opportunity for Grantors to provide their vision for the trust 
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“Starting a CCT Special Needs Trust for my daughter was very easy and straight forward. Every person I have spoken to over the past several years has been courteous, knowledgeable and answers all of my questions (I always have a lot of questions) lol. Having this trust has allowed my daughter to keep her disability payments in place as well as the programs she needs to help her navigate life and be able to enjoy fun things like a Disney Cruise!” – Sherry, Mother and Advocate of a CCT Beneficiary (pictured)

The Basics

  • What is a Pooled Trust?

    A pooled trust refers to a unique trust structure when there is one Master Trust Agreement but multiple beneficiaries. The beneficiaries each have their own sub-account that is set up by completing the  Joinder Agreement, the legal document to join.  The funds in the sub-accounts are pooled for investment purposes. The Beneficiary and their advocate(s) have access to financial information through the CCT secure online portal, mobile app, and by mail upon request. 

  • Who is an Advocate?

    An advocate is an important part of the Beneficiary’s team and works closely with CCT.  An Advocate is authorized to make disbursement requests by signing and submitting the Payment Request Form to CCT and may receive confidential financial information about the Beneficiary’s sub-Account. 


    The Beneficiary may be their own Advocate and CCT strongly recommends having multiple Advocates if that is possible. Advocates are usually named by the Grantor(s) on the CCT Joinder Agreement, and may be the Beneficiary, a Guardian, Conservator, Power of Attorney, family member, case worker, friend, and/or someone who is trusted and familiar with the needs of the Beneficiary.  Over time, Advocates can be added or removed by CCT in consultation with the other Advocate(s). 


    However, while CCT looks to the Advocate(s) for information regarding the Beneficiary, CCT has sole discretion to decide what distributions are in the Beneficiary’s best interest and permitted under the terms of the trust, as well as when to share information. he Advocate(s) is an important part of the Beneficiary’s team and works closely with CCT staff. The Advocate(s) is authorized to make disbursement requests by signing and submitting the Payment Request Form to CCT and may receive confidential financial information about the Beneficiary’s sub-Account.


    The Advocate(s) is usually named by the Grantor(s) on the CCT Joinder Agreement (the legal document to join the trust), and may be the Beneficiary, a Guardian, Conservator, Power of Attorney, family member, case worker, friend, and/or someone who is trusted and familiar with the needs of the Beneficiary.


    However, CCT has sole discretion to decide what distributions are in the Beneficiary’s best interest and permitted under the terms of the trust, as well as when to share information.

  • What is the Remainder Policy?

    After the customary CCT administrative fees, Capital First Trustee fees and True Link Financial Advisors, LLC, investment management fees are disbursed the remaining funds are distributed as designated in the Joinder Agreement, the legal document to join. The links above will explain the remainder policy for each type of trust.

  • What is a Sub-Account?

    A sub-account refers to the account holding funds for an individual Beneficiary.  Funds deposited into this sub-account are used solely for that Beneficiary.  The sub-account is governed by the terms of the CCT First-Party Pooled Special Needs Trust Master Trust Agreement and the completed Joinder Agreement, which states what will happen to any remaining funds if the Beneficiary passes away.