Posted by Vicki Leeper

News From Idaho SILC

How ABLE Accounts help protect your benefits

With everything in the world seeming to be a topsy-turvy mess…worrying about losing your benefits because of additional unemployment income or a stimulus check, shouldn’t be one of those messes.

ABLE Accounts are savings accounts for people who became disabled before the age of 26. The passage of the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014, or the ABLE Act, provides the opportunity to save money beyond typical resource limits (usually $2000). The annual contribution for an ABLE account is $15,000, with the possibility of adding more if the account owner is employed.

Several thousand Idahoans with disabilities and their families depend on public benefits for health care, food, utility and housing assistance. ABLE accounts allow eligible Idahoans to save money to purchase qualified disability goods and services that will help them gain or maintain independence and choice without losing the assistance they need. Money in an ABLE account does not count against the resource limits for SSI, Medicaid, and other State and Federal benefits.

In order to be eligible for an ABLE account the individual must have a significant disability with a documented onset before turning 26 years of age.

This means…

– They have a disability with functional limitations documented by a physician with letter of certification.

OR…

  • They receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
        

OR…

  • They are medically eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits, i.e. certain disabled children or working adults with disabilities who receive Medicaid benefits.

Idaho does not currently offer an ABLE program, however, many states DO offer out of state enrollment. These accounts can often be set up in 30 minutes or less.

If you have questions about ABLE accounts, please contact the State Independent Living Council at 208-334-3800 or 1-800-487-4866 or email jami.davis@silc.idaho.gov.