It is critical that they are able to receive government disability benefits if necessary – especially if they are unable to work or live independently. For this reason, leaving them money directly can be problematic. A Special Needs trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can ensure that your child is eligible for government benefits, including SSI, Social Security Disability Insurance, or Medi-Cal while providing a valuable financial “safety net” to supplement public benefits and pay for items and services not covered by public benefit programs.