Planning for the lifetime care of a loved one with disabilities requires careful consideration and thoughtful legal documents. A Special Needs Trust allows a person with disabilities to receive financial support while preserving eligibility for public benefits such as Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we help families in Norco and Riverside County evaluate their goals, select trust provisions that match family needs, and coordinate beneficiary plans with broader estate planning documents. This introduction explains how a trust can protect assets, support quality of life, and integrate with wills, powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives.
Many families first encounter questions about benefits, guardianship, and long-term care after a diagnosis or change in circumstances. A Special Needs Trust can provide a flexible source of supplemental funds for housing, therapies, transportation, education, and companion care without affecting means-tested benefits. The trust can be established during a grantor’s lifetime or created by will, and may be managed by a trusted family member, friend, or professional trustee. Our approach is to explain legal options in clear language, outline likely timelines, and draft tailored documents that respect the family’s values and financial realities.
A Special Needs Trust is important because it creates a legal structure that can improve a disabled beneficiary’s quality of life without jeopardizing eligibility for critical public benefits. Beyond preserving benefits, the trust provides a vehicle to pay for supplemental goods and services that public programs do not cover, such as private therapy, dental care, recreational activities, and travel. It also gives families control over how funds are used, offers continuity of care if a caregiver becomes unable to serve, and can be integrated with other documents like pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and health directives to form a cohesive plan for the future.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assist families across California with estate planning and trust administration, including special needs planning. Our team focuses on practical, client-centered representation that balances legal protections with family priorities. We work to understand the beneficiary’s daily needs, funding sources, and long-term goals and then design trust language and related documents that reflect those realities. Communication and careful drafting are central to our practice; we aim to make planning straightforward and reliable so clients can place greater attention on caregiving and family life.
A Special Needs Trust is a dedicated trust designed to hold assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while protecting eligibility for means-tested public benefits. The trust is structured so distributions supplement, rather than replace, government benefits. Funding the trust can come from personal assets, family contributions, or an inheritance. Trust terms specify permissible uses of funds and identify a trustee to manage disbursements. For many families, understanding the interplay between trust distributions and benefit rules is essential to ensuring ongoing access to healthcare and income assistance programs.
There are several types of special needs trusts, including third-party trusts funded by family members and first-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets. Depending on the source of funds and the beneficiary’s circumstances, certain claims for repayment to Medi-Cal or other agencies may apply. Proper drafting addresses reimbursement rules, successor trustees, and protections for inheritance. We work with families to choose the right trust structure, explain how distributions should be requested and documented, and coordinate the trust with other estate planning tools to reduce future conflicts and ensure the beneficiary’s needs are prioritized.
A Special Needs Trust holds money or property for a person with a disability so the funds can be used to improve the beneficiary’s life without disqualifying them from public benefits. The trustee has discretion to make payments for items and services that enhance daily living but are not covered by government programs. The trust document sets out distribution standards, remainder beneficiaries, and rules for trustee decision-making. It can be tailored to address housing, education, medical-related items, custom therapies, and other supports that help the beneficiary lead a fuller life.
Key elements of a Special Needs Trust include the trustee appointment, trust funding plan, distribution standards, provisions for successor trustees, and language addressing potential agency reimbursement. The planning process typically begins with a family information gathering session to identify expected care needs, current benefits, and asset sources. Drafting follows with clear instructions on permissible distributions, documentation requirements, and coordination with other estate planning documents. Once executed, trustees must maintain records, follow distribution protocols, and periodically revisit the plan as circumstances change.
Navigating special needs planning requires familiarity with several legal and benefits-related terms. Understanding definitions such as trustee, beneficiary, first-party trust, third-party trust, payback provisions, and means-tested benefits helps families make informed decisions. A clear glossary demystifies how each term affects daily life and long-term financial protection. We provide plain-language explanations and examples so families can see how trust provisions will operate in practice and how the trust interacts with Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, and other programs relevant in California.
A trustee is the individual or entity charged with managing the assets held in the Special Needs Trust and making distributions for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs. The trustee has a fiduciary duty to act in the beneficiary’s best interests, maintain accurate records, avoid conflicts of interest, and follow the trust document’s terms. Selecting a trustee involves considering availability, financial skill, impartiality, and a willingness to consult with family and care providers. Trust administration also requires ongoing attention to benefits rules and prudent management of trust investments and disbursement requests.
A first-party trust is funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as an inheritance, settlement proceeds, or savings, and is designed to preserve eligibility for means-tested public benefits. These trusts often include a payback provision requiring reimbursement to Medi-Cal for certain benefits paid on the beneficiary’s behalf after the beneficiary’s death. Because rules vary by program and state, careful drafting ensures the trust meets statutory requirements while maximizing the benefit of the funds for the beneficiary’s lifetime needs and comfort.
A third-party trust is created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, typically a parent or family member, and holds assets intended to benefit the person with disabilities. Unlike first-party trusts, third-party trusts generally do not require payback to public benefits programs at the beneficiary’s death, making them a common vehicle for parents who wish to leave an inheritance that supplements government benefits. Properly drafted third-party trusts give families flexibility in managing distributions while protecting the beneficiary’s long-term eligibility for public assistance.
A payback provision requires that any remaining trust funds be used to reimburse certain public benefit programs, typically Medi-Cal, for benefits provided to the beneficiary during their lifetime. This provision is common in first-party trusts established with the beneficiary’s own assets. The exact reimbursement obligations and timing depend on federal and state rules, so clear language in the trust and coordination with the probate or trustee process are essential. Proper planning can sometimes reduce the impact on remaining family members while meeting legal obligations.
Choosing between a Special Needs Trust and alternative arrangements such as direct inheritance, guardianship, or public benefits alone requires an analysis of long-term goals and the beneficiary’s circumstances. Direct gifts can disqualify a person from means-tested benefits, while guardianship places decision-making in a court-supervised role that may be more restrictive than a well-drafted trust. A Special Needs Trust can combine asset protection with discretionary support. Our role is to explain tradeoffs, document consequences, and recommend a plan that helps preserve benefits while addressing lifestyle and care goals.
A more limited planning approach may be appropriate if the beneficiary already receives stable public benefits and family assets are minimal. In such cases, a short-form plan focusing on immediate caregiving instructions, a simple will that includes a pour-over to a trust, and basic power of attorney and health directives can provide essential protections without creating complex structures. The plan should still anticipate future changes and include guidance on who will manage finances and health decisions, but it can be streamlined to reflect current stability and limited resources.
If family members are prepared to provide ongoing care and funding and there are clear arrangements for successor caregivers, it may be reasonable to adopt a less elaborate legal structure initially. This might include a letter of intent describing daily needs, a durable power of attorney for financial matters, and an advance health care directive. Even when a limited approach is chosen, it is important to plan for contingencies such as caregiver incapacity or changes in benefits rules so that supports remain in place if circumstances evolve.
Comprehensive planning is often necessary to safeguard a beneficiary’s eligibility for public benefits while creating reliable channels for supplemental support. A fully developed plan coordinates a Special Needs Trust with other estate planning documents so assets flow into the trust at the appropriate time, and distributions are made in a manner consistent with benefit rules. Comprehensive planning reduces the risk of accidental disqualification, clarifies trustee authority, and establishes long-term strategies for housing, medical care, and financial stability that smaller plans may not address adequately.
A complete estate plan anticipates changes such as new inheritances, lawsuit settlements, retirement distributions, and evolving care needs. When assets from multiple sources might fund a beneficiary’s care, comprehensive drafting ensures each asset is preserved and used appropriately. Detailed plans address successor trustee selection, trustee powers, disability-specific distributions, and contingencies like guardianship avoidance or conversion of assets into trust funding. This foresight reduces future disputes and provides clearer, more durable protection for the beneficiary’s needs.
A coordinated approach combines a Special Needs Trust with complementary documents such as a will, powers of attorney, advance health care directive, and certifications of trust. This ensures assets are directed properly, caregivers have legal authority when needed, and medical decisions reflect the beneficiary’s preferences. Comprehensive plans also allow for tax-aware funding strategies, clear successor provisions, and mechanisms to protect funds from misuse. For families, the result is reduced uncertainty, greater continuity of care, and a practical roadmap for future decision-makers.
By addressing both legal and practical matters, comprehensive planning can lessen emotional strain and minimize legal hurdles after a caregiver’s incapacity or death. Trust language can define permissible expenditures, specify how funds support enrichment and community participation, and set standards for trustee reporting. Combined with documents like HIPAA authorizations and guardianship nominations, the trust becomes part of a robust framework that supports daily needs and preserves eligibility for essential public benefits while allowing discretionary care enhancements.
One of the primary benefits of a comprehensive plan is its ability to protect eligibility for public benefits while providing extra resources for the beneficiary. Properly drafted trust provisions and coordinated asset transfers prevent unintended disqualification from programs like Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income. The plan also includes guidelines on how and when distributions should be requested, documentation standards to show payments are supplemental, and coordination with benefit counselors, reducing the risk of errors that might interrupt vital assistance or lead to overpayments requiring reimbursement.
Comprehensive planning promotes consistent care by naming successor trustees and caregivers, documenting the beneficiary’s routines, and specifying how funds should be used for long-term supports. Clear instructions help trustees make timely and appropriate decisions about housing, therapies, and supplemental services. Continuity reduces disruptions during transitions, such as when primary caregivers retire or pass away. The trust and supporting documents together provide a stable framework that helps preserve the beneficiary’s quality of life over time.
A letter of intent complements legal documents by describing the beneficiary’s daily routine, likes and dislikes, medical providers, therapies, preferred activities, and other practical details. While not legally binding, this document helps trustees and future caregivers make compassionate, informed decisions that align with the beneficiary’s preferences. It also serves as a reference for hiring vendors, explaining funding priorities, and detailing how trust funds should be spent for quality of life. Updating the letter periodically ensures new caregivers have current, actionable information.
Selecting a trustee involves balancing trustworthiness, availability, financial acumen, and interpersonal dynamics with the beneficiary. Consider naming successor trustees and specifying decision-making procedures. Provide clear payout guidelines, documentation requirements, and standards for discretionary distributions. Training or written guidance for trustees minimizes disputes and helps ensure payments are made efficiently for housing, therapies, transportation, and quality-of-life enhancements. Creating a support team of advisors and care professionals promotes continuity and prudent management of trust assets.
Families consider Special Needs Trusts when they want to protect a loved one’s access to public benefits while providing supplemental care. Trusts can be used to accept inheritances, manage settlement funds, protect personal savings, and fund services not provided by government programs. They also establish a plan for successor care and financial oversight that can prevent family disagreements. For many households, a trust provides peace of mind by ensuring that resources intended for the beneficiary are used thoughtfully and responsibly over the course of their lifetime.
Other reasons to consider a trust include planning for uncertain future costs like home modifications, private therapies, or respite care. Trusts allow families to define permissible distribution categories and to appoint trustees who can make prudent spending decisions. They also support tax planning when appropriate and can reduce probate-related delays by directing assets into trust. Overall, a Special Needs Trust creates a durable mechanism to preserve benefits and supplement care in ways that direct transfers or informal arrangements cannot reliably accomplish.
Typical circumstances prompting a Special Needs Trust include receiving an inheritance, a personal injury settlement, parents planning for the future, or having savings that could affect benefit eligibility. Families also use trusts when they anticipate future savings from retirement accounts or when a caregiver becomes unable to continue providing support. Trusts address transitions between care settings, arrangements for housing and employment supports, and coordination with public benefits. Identifying these scenarios early permits timely drafting and funding of the trust.
When a person with disabilities receives an inheritance or settlement, a Special Needs Trust is often used to preserve eligibility for government benefits. Without a trust, a direct distribution may increase countable assets and lead to disqualification from Medi-Cal or SSI. Creating or funding a trust allows those funds to be used for supplemental care and enrichment while maintaining benefit eligibility. Proper planning includes evaluating payback obligations and coordinating with probate or settlement procedures to ensure funds are routed correctly.
Parents often establish a Special Needs Trust as part of a broader estate plan to ensure ongoing care after they are no longer able to act as primary caregivers. The trust provides a vehicle for distributing assets to support the beneficiary’s needs and names trustees and successor caregivers to carry out the family’s wishes. Parents can use third-party trusts to leave inheritances that will not require reimbursement to public benefits programs. Planning ahead reduces the risk of disruptions and clarifies the family’s intentions for future decision-makers.
Changes in benefits eligibility, housing needs, medical condition, or the level of care required can prompt creation or revision of a Special Needs Trust. As circumstances evolve, trust terms may need to be updated to reflect new distribution priorities, successor trustee arrangements, or funding sources. Regular reviews ensure the plan remains effective and compliant with current benefit rules. Updating documents proactively helps avoid emergency legal steps that could be more costly or disruptive to the beneficiary and family.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provide estate planning and special needs trust services to families in Norco and Riverside County. We assist with drafting trust instruments, coordinating funding, preparing pour-over wills, establishing powers of attorney, and creating advance health care directives and HIPAA authorizations. Our goal is to deliver clear advice, practical drafting, and dependable document coordination so families can protect benefits and provide supplemental support. We are available to discuss your situation, outline realistic options, and guide you through document execution and follow-up steps.
Our firm focuses on creating practical, family-focused plans that protect benefits and provide supplemental support for individuals with disabilities. We prioritize clear communication, careful drafting, and thorough coordination among wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health directives so that assets and decision-making authorities are aligned. We aim to make the planning process straightforward, explain the implications of different trust types, and recommend sensible trustee arrangements based on each family’s needs.
We help clients navigate California-specific rules for Medi-Cal and other public benefits, draft payback-compliant first-party trusts, and design third-party trusts that preserve family inheritances. Our approach includes practical guidance on funding the trust, documenting distributions to remain supplemental, and establishing record-keeping practices for trust administration. Families receive a cohesive plan that addresses daily care, long-term funding, and contingencies such as caregiver transitions or asset changes.
Beyond drafting documents, we support families through the implementation process, advising on trustee responsibilities, coordinating with benefits counselors, and helping arrange funding transfers like pour-over wills, retirement plan trusts, or life insurance trusts. We provide guidance on guardianship nominations and other caregiving arrangements to reduce reliance on court procedures. The goal is a durable, flexible plan that secures the beneficiary’s quality of life and access to necessary supports over the long term.
Our process begins with an initial consultation to gather information about the beneficiary’s needs, existing benefits, family goals, and available assets. We then recommend a trust structure and draft tailored documents, including trust instruments, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and HIPAA authorizations. After review and execution, we assist with funding steps such as retitling accounts or coordinating beneficiary designations. We also provide guidance for trustees on recordkeeping and distribution practices so the trust operates in harmony with public benefit requirements.
The initial assessment identifies the beneficiary’s current benefits, sources of potential funding, caregiving arrangements, and the family’s long-term priorities. We review medical information, housing plans, and anticipated needs, then recommend the trust type and supporting documents. This phase includes explaining payback rules, trustee duties, and how the trust will interact with Medi-Cal and SSI. The goal is to create a strategic foundation that informs drafting and funding choices to preserve benefits while providing supplemental support.
We collect detailed information about the beneficiary’s health, daily routines, current public benefits, and existing assets that could fund a trust. This includes account balances, potential inheritances, insurance policies, and any pending settlements. Understanding these elements allows us to recommend whether a first-party or third-party trust is most appropriate and to design distribution language that matches the beneficiary’s needs. Thorough fact-gathering reduces surprises during trust funding and administration.
Based on the assessment, we advise whether a first-party trust with payback provisions or a third-party trust is preferable, and we outline the implications of each choice for benefits, reimbursement obligations, and family succession plans. Selecting the appropriate structure early simplifies funding and reduces the likelihood of future legal complications. We explain trustee options, draft distribution standards, and map how other documents like pour-over wills will work with the trust.
Drafting involves preparing the trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorizations, and any needed certifications of trust or guardianship nominations. We use plain language together with precise legal terms to ensure the documents operate effectively under California law. Clients review draft documents, suggest revisions, and approve final language. Our goal is to produce a cohesive set of documents that work together to protect benefits and provide for the beneficiary’s needs.
We draft trust provisions that specify trustee powers, permissible distributions, successor trustees, and remainder beneficiaries. Supporting documents like pour-over wills ensure assets pass into the trust during probate, while powers of attorney and health care directives establish decision-making authority if a caregiver cannot act. Certifications of trust and other administrative documents make it easier for institutions to recognize trustee authority without disclosing sensitive trust details. Clear drafting reduces administrative friction during trust funding and administration.
After drafting, clients receive drafts for careful review and we discuss any requested changes. Once finalized, we arrange for proper execution, notarization, and witness requirements as needed under California law. We provide guidance for distributing executed copies to trustees, financial institutions, and care providers when appropriate. Proper execution and record distribution help ensure the documents are effective when needed and that trustees and institutions have the documentation required to act.
Funding the trust and implementing the plan are essential to making the arrangement effective. This can include retitling bank or investment accounts, changing beneficiary designations on life insurance or retirement plans, and coordinating probate items to pour assets into a trust. We advise trustees on recordkeeping, distribution documentation, and periodic review. Reassessment is recommended when benefits change, assets are added, or caregiving arrangements shift to ensure the plan continues to meet the beneficiary’s needs.
We help clients implement funding steps such as retitling accounts in the name of the trust, updating beneficiary designations to align with the trust plan, and coordinating with financial institutions to accept trustee documents. These actions ensure assets intended to support the beneficiary are actually available through the trust, reducing the risk that funds will pass outside the planned structure. Proper documentation of funding actions is also important for future reporting and administration duties.
After funding, ongoing review keeps the trust aligned with changing circumstances, such as shifts in benefits, asset increases, or changes in care needs. We offer trustee support, advising on permissible distributions, recordkeeping standards, and responses to agency inquiries. Periodic updates to the trust or related documents help maintain compliance with benefit rules and reflect the family’s evolving priorities, ensuring the arrangement continues to serve the beneficiary effectively over time.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement created to hold assets for a person with disabilities so they can receive supplemental support without losing eligibility for means-tested public benefits like Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income. The trust allows a trustee to make discretionary payments for goods and services that enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life while ensuring core benefits remain intact. Trust distributions are intended to supplement rather than replace benefits and must be carefully documented and administered to maintain compliance with program rules. Trusts are tailored to the individual’s circumstances and may be funded by family members, inheritances, settlements, or the beneficiary’s own assets. The trust document describes permissible uses, defines trustee powers, and specifies successor arrangements. Working with benefits counselors and drafting precise language help prevent accidental disqualification and ensure the trust functions as intended over the beneficiary’s lifetime.
A first-party Special Needs Trust is funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary and typically includes a payback provision that requires remaining assets at the beneficiary’s death to reimburse certain public benefit programs. These trusts are useful when the beneficiary receives a settlement or inherits assets directly and must protect ongoing benefit eligibility. Third-party trusts are funded by others, such as parents or relatives, and generally avoid payback requirements, allowing remaining funds to pass to other family members or designated beneficiaries. Choosing between these trust types depends on the source of funds and the family’s long-term goals. Drafting and funding choices should reflect potential reimbursement obligations and the desire to preserve family inheritances. Legal drafting must align with California rules, and coordination with estate documents like pour-over wills is often necessary to ensure assets end up in the intended trust.
A Special Needs Trust can be funded through several methods including transfers from family members, inheritances directed into a third-party trust, settlement proceeds placed into a first-party trust, or by using pour-over wills that move probate assets into the trust. Retirement plan designations and life insurance policies can also be coordinated so proceeds support the trust while minimizing benefit impacts. Each funding source has legal and tax implications that should be considered in the planning process. It is important to follow proper procedures when funding a trust, such as retitling accounts, updating beneficiary designations, and coordinating with financial institutions. Documenting transfers and keeping accurate records helps trustees demonstrate that distributions were supplemental rather than replacements for public benefits. Professional guidance ensures funding steps are completed correctly and in a way that protects the beneficiary’s eligibility.
A trustee should be someone trustworthy, reasonably available, and capable of managing financial decisions and working with care providers. Families often choose a trusted relative, friend, or a professional fiduciary to serve as trustee, and may name successor trustees to ensure continuity. The trustee is responsible for making distribution decisions consistent with the trust terms, maintaining records, filing required reports, and safeguarding assets for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs. Trustee duties also include understanding how distributions affect public benefits and coordinating with benefits counselors when necessary. Trustees should keep careful documentation of expenditures, consult with family members and care providers about the beneficiary’s needs, and seek legal or financial guidance on complex matters. Clear guidance in the trust document about permissible distributions makes the trustee’s role more manageable and reduces disputes.
Whether a Special Needs Trust will require repayment to Medi-Cal depends on the type of trust and how it was funded. First-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets typically include a payback provision to reimburse Medi-Cal for benefits provided during the beneficiary’s lifetime. Third-party trusts, funded by others, usually do not carry the same reimbursement requirement and can allow remaining funds to pass to other family members or beneficiaries. Understanding potential reimbursement obligations is a critical part of trust planning. Families should discuss the source of funds and any likely payback rules to know what to expect at the beneficiary’s death. Proper drafting and coordination with estate and tax planning can reduce unexpected consequences for family members while meeting legal obligations to public programs.
A pour-over will is commonly used with a Special Needs Trust so that assets not funded into the trust during a grantor’s life will be transferred into the trust through probate. This ensures that intended assets ultimately support the beneficiary rather than passing directly to them and possibly affecting benefits. The will names the trust as the beneficiary of estate assets and provides a safety net for items overlooked in lifetime funding. Coordinating the will and trust requires careful drafting to avoid probate complications and to ensure assets pass as intended. In many cases, families update beneficiary designations on accounts to direct proceeds into the trust and use pour-over wills only as a backup. Regular reviews of estate documents help confirm that funding and designation choices remain aligned with the overall plan.
Yes, a Special Needs Trust can pay for housing-related needs and home modifications when those expenditures are consistent with the trust’s distribution standards and do not replace benefits that the beneficiary already receives. Trust funds can be used for home accessibility improvements, assistive equipment, utilities, and services that improve independence and quality of life. The trustee should ensure these expenditures are properly documented and justified as supplemental to public benefits. If the beneficiary lives in a home that is owned by the trust or a family member, careful planning is necessary to avoid creating countable assets that could affect benefits. Trustees should consult with benefits counselors to confirm whether particular housing arrangements or modifications will affect eligibility. Clear documentation and prudent decision-making help maintain benefits while improving living conditions.
A Special Needs Trust should be reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur, such as changes in benefits, receipt of an inheritance or settlement, a change in caregiving arrangements, or changes in applicable law. Regular review ensures that distribution standards remain appropriate, trustee appointments are current, and funding is sufficient to meet the beneficiary’s evolving needs. Reviews also allow for updates to related documents like powers of attorney and health care directives. We recommend scheduling a formal review at least every few years or when life events occur that affect assets, benefits, or caregiving. Periodic reviews reduce surprises, keep the trust compliant with current rules, and ensure the plan continues to reflect the family’s priorities and the beneficiary’s preferences.
Documents that commonly accompany a Special Needs Trust include a pour-over will to direct unallocated assets into the trust, durable powers of attorney for financial decisions, advance health care directives and HIPAA authorizations to allow caregivers access to medical information, and certifications of trust for financial institutions. Guardianship nominations and letters of intent are also helpful for clarifying care preferences and daily routines. These documents together form a cohesive plan for managing finances, health decisions, and living arrangements. Having a coordinated set of documents reduces administrative friction and helps trustees and caregivers act promptly during critical moments. Keeping copies with trusted individuals and ensuring institutions have the necessary certifications simplifies trust administration and avoids delays in accessing funds or making decisions that affect the beneficiary’s well-being.
To begin, schedule a consultation to discuss the beneficiary’s current benefits, assets, and caregiving arrangements. Gather documents such as benefit statements, account summaries, potential settlement papers, life insurance information, and any existing estate planning documents. During the initial meeting, we will outline appropriate trust structures, explain funding steps, and provide an action plan for drafting and executing documents tailored to your family’s needs. After deciding on a plan, we will draft the trust and related documents, review drafts with you, and coordinate execution and funding steps such as retitling accounts and updating designations. We also offer guidance for trustees and recommend periodic reviews to keep the plan aligned with changing circumstances, benefits rules, and family priorities.
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