Charitable Residual Account: FAQ

How does it work?
When the beneficiary of a Pooled Trust has passed away, any existing funds become
part of our Charitable Residual Account that benefits individuals with disabilities in
need. Since 2005, we have been able to provide more than $4,000,000 in goods and
services to people with disabilities.
Applicants, please review the Residual Handbook for important information prior to
submitting an online application.


What is the Charitable Residual Program?
Sometimes individuals with disabilities and their families lack the financial resources to
access critical special needs support. The Charitable Residual Account provides
supplemental support and services for children and adults with disabilities who are unable
to pay for the services or supports on their own. These funds are to be utilized when all
other sources of funding have been exhausted.


Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are individuals with disabilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
Disabilities can include Intellectual, Mental Health disorders and Physical disabilities such
as Cerebral Palsy and ALS. If there is a question regarding eligibility, please contact the
Residual Account Coordinator at 412-995-5000 ext. 493.


What can I apply for?
The Residual request should be based on the needs of the applicant. The Charitable
Residual Program will consider a wide range of requests from iPads, camp and
recreational activities to medical equipment and home and vehicle modifications.


How can I apply?
Requests for our Charitable Residual Program are accepted through our online
application process. The application can be found here: CharitableResidualApplication.
The person applying on behalf of the applicant will need to create an account to access
the Application. All supporting documents should be submitted with the online application
to facilitate the review.

What are the Supporting Documents needed for a request?
All requests require several supporting documents. These documents are designed to
provide our reviewers with additional information about the applicant and their specific
needs. These documents are:

  • Letter of Support: The letter of support is a letter written by a professional in support
    of the request. Examples of professionals who may submit a Letter of Support include
    Support/Service Coordinators, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists
    and teachers. The letter should contain sufficient details regarding why the item being
    applied for is necessary and how it will improve the individual’s quality of life. The
    letter should be submitted on company letterhead and must be signed.
  • Bids: Bids and/or estimates of the items being requested. Items over $500 require
    two bids. These bids need to be for comparable items. All items need to be the same
    or similar and from two separate vendors. All shipping, tax and additional fees need
    to be reflected in the bid to get the most accurate requested amount. Please note that
    requests for iPads do not require bids.


What is the Joinder Agreement and why do I need it?
The Joinder Agreement is a legal document that “joins”the applicant to our Pooled Trust.
This step is necessary in order for us to disburse funds from our Pooled Trust to make the
purchase. The Joinder Agreement can be found on the Achieva Family Trust website by
clicking here. The Joinder Agreement needs to be uploaded to the online application
for review, and the original, signed Joinder Agreement must be sent to Achieva Family
Trust to the attention of the Residual Account Coordinator. If the application is
approved, the Joinder Agreement is kept on file for future requests. Additional
documents may be required based on the request category.
If you have any questions regarding the additional documents, please contact the
Residual Account Coordinator at 412-995-5000 ext. 493.


How are applications reviewed, and when?
Applications are reviewed and submitted for consideration by our internal review Team
on an ongoing basis throughout the year. The quarterly application deadlines are:
January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st. There is a separate deadline of May 15th
for all camp requests. These dates are the deadline for the quarter, not the due date for
requests. We strongly encourage that all applications are submitted in advance of this
deadline to provide sufficient time for our reviewers to make determinations.
All applications that require discussion and/or follow-up will be reviewed by the last
day of the month in which the quarter ends.

How much can I request?
There is no limit to the amount of the request. However, we do ask that applicants take into
account their needs as opposed to their wants when applying. For larger requests such as
home modifications and vehicle modifications, the Residual Team will typically consider
amounts up to $10,000. However, there have been requests that have been approved
above the $10,000 amount based on compelling need. Please note that all requests will be
evaluated in light of available funds and there are no guarantees or representations made
regarding the receipt of funds.


How often can I apply?
Applications can be submitted every two years. If an application is denied, the applicant
remains eligible to reapply for another need. However, applications for Camp and
Recreational activities can be submitted on an annual basis.
Does the Residual Program consider Home Repairs?
The Charitable Residual Program is not designed for home repairs. Examples of home
repairs include but are not limited to the following: sewer lines, windows, AC and Furnace
installation/repair, hot tubs, pools, fences and/or roofs. In addition, the Residual Program
will not pay for an individual’s bills, such as rent or utilities. It will also not consider anything
that has already been paid for.


When will I know if I am approved?

As a general rule, once a completed application is submitted, it typically takes at least
15-20 business days for it to be reviewed and a decision to be made. It may take more
time if follow up information is requested by the reviewers. For Applications that require
extensive follow-up, we strive to make a decision within 30 days of the end of the quarter.
You will receive notification via email after a determination has been made with
instructions for the next steps. Because the amount of applications we receive varies, there
may be times when we cannot meet these guidelines. We ask for your understanding and
patience.


If approved, when will I receive what I requested?
Our team works diligently to fulfill requests as soon as possible, but there is no timeline for
when approved purchases are processed. They are fulfilled in the order they are approved
whenever possible.

If you still have questions, contact our Residual Account Coordinator at
residual@achieva.info or call (412) 995-5000 Ext. 493.