This post was authored by SNA Board member Benjamin A. Rubin, Esq., LLM, of Rubin Law with offices in Buffalo Grove, Chicago and Old Orchard, Illinois. The firm focuses exclusively on serving the families of children and adults with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and mental illness.

One of the many benefits of utilizing an ABLE account for individuals with special needs is the ability to save and invest funds without losing eligibility for public benefits programs like Medicaid, SSI or SSDI. The earnings in an ABLE account are not subjected to federal income tax, provided they are spent on qualified expenses. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had been silent on how money in these accounts would affect enrollees in its housing assistance programs, including Section 8, until 2019.

With the updated 2019 guidelines from HUD on housing, additional assistance for individuals with special needs is a positive step towards making housing a more affordable prospect. Because many people with special needs rely on support through public assistance or rental assistance programs, this service is an invaluable benefit provided by the federal government. As a general rule, eligibility is based on annual gross income, with established income limits based on area and family size.

In calculating housing costs for individuals with special needs, HUD will disregard the funds held in an ABLE account, which will result in a more favorable outcome for the individual seeking housing. The income and assets in an ABLE account will be excluded in the household’s assets, and distributions from the ABLE account will not be treated as income. However, HUD will continue to treat all wage income received as income, regardless of whether the income is paid into an ABLE account. The notice specifies that wage income earned by a third party, such as a family member or friend, which is distributed into an ABLE account will not count against the ABLE account holder.

For many individuals the reduction in SSI caused by a 3rd party, including a trust, subsidizing housing expenses is not a concern, and they are able to use their special needs trust to pay for housing and living costs. However, if they are living in Section 8 subsidized housing, then their Section 8 housing subsidy could be reduced depending on how the money is spent. Now, however, if the ABLE account is used to pay either the housing subsidy or any other bills, it will not be counted against them as income per the 2019 guidelines.

The bottom line is that an ABLE account can be used in combination with Section 8 housing to provide affordable and adequate housing for an individual with special needs, which will aid in one of the most stressful parts of life. This change by HUD opens up a tool in the toolbox by using ABLE account without jeopardizing the eligibility of the individual with special needs to receive federal housing support.

About this Article: We hope you find this article informative, but it is not legal advice. You should consult your own attorney, who can review your specific situation and account for variations in state law and local practices. Laws and regulations are constantly changing, so the longer it has been since an article was written, the greater the likelihood that the article might be out of date. SNA members focus on this complex, evolving area of law. To locate a member in your state, visit Find an Attorney.

 Requirements for Reproducing this Article: The above article may be reprinted only if it appears unmodified, including both the author description above the title and the “About this Article” paragraph immediately following the article, accompanied by the following statement: “Reprinted with permission of the Special Needs Alliance – www.specialneedsalliance.org.” The article may not be reproduced online. Instead, references to it should link to it on the SNA website.