erickearneySep 1, 20163 minWhat Is a "Third-Party" Special Needs Trust and How Is It Different From Other Kinds of TrSpecial needs trusts come in three main flavors -- first-party special needs trusts, third-party special needs trusts, and pooled trusts. All three trust varieties are designed to manage resources for a person with special needs so that the beneficiary can still qualify for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. While first-party special needs trusts and pooled trusts hold funds that belong to the person with special needs, third-party special