ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts allow people with disabilities who meet the eligibility requirements below to save money to pay for disability-related expenses.

A person who became blind or disabled BEFORE age 26 (as certified by the Social Security Administration, the State Medical Review Team, or a doctor’s statement) is eligible to establish an ABLE account.

A person with a disability can establish an ABLE account in any state that has an ABLE program, including Minnesota.

The person with a disability is called the “designated beneficiary” of an ABLE account. A designated beneficiary can only have 1 ABLE account.

Contributions to an ABLE account are subject to annual limits. Contributions can be made by the designated beneficiary or others.

Funds from an ABLE account can be used to pay for “qualified disability expenses.” These include, but are not limited to: expenses for education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology and personal support services, health, prevention and wellness, financial management and administrative services, legal fees, expenses for oversight and monitoring, funeral and burial expenses.

Distributions from an ABLE account are not counted as an asset if used to pay for a qualified disability expense.

MFIP, DWP, GA:
Count the designated beneficiary’s income deposited into an ABLE account.

Do not count a non-mandatory unit member’s income deposited into an ABLE account that is for the benefit of the designated beneficiary.

Funds withdrawn from an ABLE account for qualified disability expenses are not counted as income for the designated beneficiary. See 0017.01 (Non-Recurring Income).


SNAP:
Money deposited into the designated beneficiary’s ABLE account needs to be evaluated to determine if it is countable income for the unit. See 0017 (Determining Gross Income).

Do not count a non-mandatory unit member’s income deposited into an ABLE account that is for the benefit of the designated beneficiary.

Funds withdrawn from an ABLE account for qualified disability expenses are not counted as income for the designated beneficiary.


MSA:
For SSI recipients, SSA makes all income and asset determinations. No action is required.

For non-SSI recipients, follow GA.


GRH:
Follow MSA for aged, blind, or disabled clients.

Follow GA for all other clients.