ABLE Account Decision Guide Series

Understanding ABLE Account Savings and Public Benefits

April 2021

Many people who have a disability receive assistance through one or more publicly funded benefit programs. This decision guide examines how ABLE savings and ABLE payments for Qualified Disability Expenses are treated by public benefit programs.

See ABLE Case Summary 2: Maximizing Use of ABLE without Jeopardizing Other Benefits [pdf]. The value of ABLE accounts averaged $9,788 as of the third quarter of 2023 in 158,421 ABLE accounts. There are $1.55 Billion in assets under management.

Please note, if you receive SSI and/or SSDI and are about to begin employment, are working or you are considering self-employment, please reach out to a benefits planner for guidance about the work supports that are specific to you, that will help you work to your fullest ability and reach your ABLE savings goals. Find benefits / work incentive counseling services at: https://choosework.ssa.gov/about/meet-your-employment-team/index.html#WIPA

Individually click on any of the following benefits you receive to learn more:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (includes Childhood Disability Benefits and Disabled Widow(ers) Benefits)
Medicaid connected to the SSI program
Medicaid not related to receiving SSI
Medicare (includes Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits
Housing and Urban Development Housing Assistance Programs
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
To learn more about self-employment resources to help you start or grow your business see: https://www.disabilitysmallbusiness.org/

Remember that many persons receive a combination of benefits and the impact, if any, may differ.

Note: Our ABLE Decision Guide Series is designed as an aid to decision making as it relates to establishing and using an ABLE account. This document does not cover every possible issue related to the topic and is not a substitute to more in-depth analysis that may be required in some cases.