COVID19 stimulus checks present people with disabilities a great opportunity to save for their future with ABLE Accounts
The government is giving people a stimulus payment of $1,200 and some will get $500 more if they have a child they support. The stimulus payment is meant to help our country’s struggling businesses and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are already getting monthly Social Security benefits you will get the stimulus payment the same way you receive your monthly benefits. The stimulus payment MUST be spent within 12 months. Otherwise, it will count as an asset and could reduce your benefits. Many people have already received their stimulus payments.
You can put all or part of your stimulus payment into an ABLE account. That way, you don’t have to worry about spending the money right away if you don’t need to. Putting the payment in an ABLE account can give you added flexibility. Plus, it will have the same benefits protection that the other money in your ABLE account has.
What are ABLE Plans doing to promote the use of Stimulus Checks for ABLE Account opening
ABLE Plans are partnering with their state Council on Developmental Disabilities and members of the National Disability Rights Network and other disability advocates to promote the use of stimulus checks to open ABLE accounts. Check with your partners in the disability community to identify groups that are intersted in collaborating to help ABLE eligible individuals.
ABLE plans have also been developing a variety of tools to make people aware of how stimulus checks can be used to open ABLE accounts and help people with disabilities participate in the community, build financial wellness and plan for the future by empowering them to save and invest for the added expenses that come with having a disability without losing access to federal means-tested benefits.
The following are a few examples of tools that ABLE plans have developed to describe how stimulus checks can support ABLE participation:
Connecticut economic impact payment memo to residential providers
“Having an ABLE account now means financial security. I just put a down payment on an accessible vehicle with the money I saved in my ABLE account. I don’t know what I would do without ABLE.”
— Wendy Settles, Illinois, Young adult professional with Cerebral Palsy
ABLE in the News
ABLE Accounts For Disabled Have Many Advantages And Should Be Better Known – May 15, 2022
ABLE Accounts Give Disabled More Financial Freedom – April 27, 2022
What is an ABLE account? It’s a savings account for people with disabilities – October 27, 2021
Revisiting the ABLE Act – October 26, 2021
Congress can help Americans living with disabilities by passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act – April 20, 2021 – OPED by NAST ABLE Committee Chairs
Disabled Americans may want to save their stimulus money in an ABLE account – March 10, 2021
These under-appreciated accounts similar to 529 plans can be useful tax-smart savings tools – October 22, 2020
Rep. McMorris Rodgers on the ABLE Act: ‘It’s Personal’ – October 20, 2020
Saving in Times of Crisis: How People with Disabilities Can Increase Financial Stability – August 19, 2020 – OPED by NAST ABLE Committee Chair and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
How to support employees with disabilities during COVID-19 – August 2020
Can a disabled person have savings and qualify for Medicaid? – August 3, 2020
What Is an ABLE Account? – August 1, 2020
Special needs families face increased financial pressure in Covid-19 crisis. This can help – July 31, 2020
Celebrate the ADA’s 30th Anniversary by Passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act – July 27, 2020
Help more vets, others save for medical expenses – July 21, 2020
The pandemic made everything harder: Financial strategies for people with disabilities and special needs – July 9, 2020
An Introduction to ABLE Accounts – March 23, 2020
ABLE assists disbabled: New state program helps residents without risking federal benefits – March 13, 2020
IAble wants more – Editorial celebrating 3rd Anniversary of IAble – February 27, 2020
Everything You Need to Know About ABLE Accounts – February 19, 2020
Celebrating and expanding upon five years of the ABLE Act – February 9, 2020
Five Practical Uses for an ABLE Account – January 24, 2020
How to build support system for adult children with disabilities – January 9, 2020
ABLE accounts let the disabled plan, dream and save big—without risking essential federal benefits – January 7, 2020
People with disabilities can now set some financial goals thanks to this game-changer – December 15, 2019
529 ABLE Accounts: Helping End Forced Poverty For Disabled Individuals – November 12, 2019
How to Plan for Retirement and Special-Needs Care – October 19, 2019
Recent Changes to ABLE Accounts and Why Your Client Might Want One – September 23, 2019
Top Ways to Plan for Your Special Needs Child’s Future – August 2019
There’s a game-changing way for people with disabilities to save – August 24, 2019
Treasurer Davis Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Delaware ABLE Plan, Releases Video – June 25, 2019
Expanding the ABLE Act will help those who need it most – March 29, 2019
It’s Disability Employment Awareness Month: ABLE to Work helps Americans with disabilities – October 25, 2018
Sen. Burr and Sen. Casey ABLE Op-Ed – August 11, 2018