The ABLE Case Summary Series

The ABLE National Resource Center (ANRC) is pleased to bring you a series of “ABLE Case Summaries” that articulate and illustrate ways to benefit from an ABLE account that complement continued eligibility for selected public benefits and programs and/or use of special needs trusts. These ABLE Case Summaries were released periodically throughout 2018 and 2019. The purpose of the series is to help ABLE related stakeholder, including current and future account holders, better understand the possibilities of an ABLE account complementing other strategies to improve health, independence and quality of life.

The author of the series, James R. Sheldon, was the Supervising Attorney of the Disability Law Unit of Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) in Buffalo, New York from the mid 1980s-2019.  He has extensive expertise related to Social Security and SSI disability, Medicaid, Medicare, special education, vocational rehabilitation, and a range of other disability-related issues. Over his career, Mr. Sheldon has written extensively on these topics of expertise and has authored or co-authored more than 75 newsletters and policy briefs.

Neighborhood Legal Services is a nonprofit agency in New York that provides free legal services to persons with low-income and persons with disabilities and a wide range of technical assistance and support services.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please contact the ABLE National Resource Center by filling out our form.

Please note, the ABLE annual contribution limit has increased to $17,000 for 2023; the ABLE To Work additional ABLE contributions from employment for ABLE account owners, who do not have contributions made to a retirement account for the calendar year has increased to $13,590; $16,990 for Alaska or $15,630 for residents of Hawaii for 2023.

Download Case Summary 1: The Impact of an ABLE Account on Social Security and SSI Disability Benefits

Download Case Summary 2: Maximizing the Use of an ABLE Account Without Jeopardizing Other Benefits

Download Case Summary 3: ABLE Accounts Compared to Special Needs Trusts

Download Case Summary 4: ABLE Accounts and Qualified Disability Expenses

Download Case Summary 5: A Range of Strategies for Funding an ABLE Account

Download Case Summary 6: Using ABLE Account to Support Transition