What qualifies as an eligible expense?

There’s a wide range of eligible expenses that cover most costs associated with living with a disability. Some of these include: living expenses, education, housing, transportation, employment, vacation, job training, career support, assistive technology, personal support services, health, prevention, wellness, financial management, administrative services, legal fees, funeral costs, burial expenses and more. As long as the expense helps maintain or improve the health, independence, or quality of life of the person living with a disability, it can qualify as an eligible expense.
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Does having an account affect my other benefits?

Nope. You can keep your federal and state benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, HUD Assistance, Section 8, etc.) with an ABLE account. If you receive SSI, there is a $100,000 limit before funds start counting against your $2,000 asset limit. As long as the money withdrawn is used for eligible expenses, it won’t count towards the limit.Don’t forget that all housing expenses must be paid in the same month the money is withdrawn to keep your benefits. All other benefits, like Section 8, are protected regardless of the amount saved in the account. 
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What kind of benefits do I get?

One of the main benefits of having an ABLE account is being able to save for eligible expenses and invest for the future in a tax-advantaged account. The account’s growth is tax free and you may qualify for a state income tax deduction, depending on where you live. As long as your balance stays below the $100,000 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limit, you can keep your SSI benefits and still qualify for Medicaid and other federal benefits (regardless of the amount saved in your account). You'll also get access to a simple and intuitive online platform to manage your account.
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How do I know if I’m an Authorized Legal Representative (ALR)?

An Authorized Legal Representative (ALR) is someone who is legally authorized under state and federal law to make decisions for the beneficiary. You’re an ALR if you are selected by the eligible beneficiary with legal capacity, you have Power of Attorney, are a conservator or legal guardian, are a spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent, or are a representative payee (individual or organization), in that order of priority. If you don’t currently have Power of Attorney for a beneficiary, you can find more information here.
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Can I still work and have an account?

Yes. With the ABLE to Work Act you can even contribute up to an extra $14,580 (as of 2024) to your ABLE account if you are working, in addition to the yearly contribution limit of $18,000. Keep in mind that ABLE accounts help protect assets from counting against benefit asset limits. They do not protect against the income limits that might be tied to a state or federal benefit. Here are some rules and guidelines you should know about. 
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Who owns the account?

If the account is for yourself, the money and funds are yours. If an Authorized Legal Representative, such as a parent or guardian, opened and managed the account for a beneficiary, the money still belongs to the beneficiary. 
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What type of disabilities qualify for an account?

Any disability that qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or blindness that developed before the age of 26 is eligible for an ABLE account. Some of the conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration that could qualify based on the level of severity include: blindness, Down Syndrome, hearing loss (deafness), epilepsy, autism/Asperger and more. Those who don’t receive Social Security benefits are still eligible if they can get a signed Diagnosis Form from a licensed physician. 
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Am I eligible for an ABLE account?

If you developed a disability or blindness before the age of 26 and are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or have a signed Diagnosis Form from a licensed physician, you can open an ABLE account.
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