529 Able Accounts Offer New Savings Option for Individuals with Lifelong Disabilities
The 529 Able Account is a new type of tax-free savings account that will soon be available to individuals who become blind or disabled before the age of 26. The 529 Able Account was created as a result of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE Act).
People with disabilities have a difficult time accruing savings and still remaining eligible for benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Since funds in an individual’s 529 Able account will not count toward maximum totals, they will be in a better position to save money for the future – or use it for other necessities like healthcare and transportation – without being penalized and/or losing government assistance.
While those eligible through the Veteran’s Administration can have their autonoME devices completely covered, Medicaid and most private insurance often does not provide any financial assistance. Could the 529 Able Account – which anyone including family and friends can contribute to – become a viable way for more people to afford assistive technology such as the autonoME and other environmental control units (ECUs) and speech generating devices (SGDs)? Sounds like we will soon find out. If so, this is exciting news for individual with quadriplegias and people with severe disabilities and diseases such as ALS and MS.
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