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 over $7,840 as of the fourth quarter of 2020. An ABLE balance may be as little as a few hundred dollars or could range up to $235,000 to $529,000.

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:

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.

ABLE Account Decision Guide Series

Understanding ABLE Account Savings and Public Benefits

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.

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