Disability & Special Needs strategies

10 plays in this category. Each one covers the mechanics, who it fits, and the estimated impact — then generates a deep dive against your own numbers.

• Disability & Special Needs

  ABLE Account — Tax-Free Savings for Disabled Beneficiaries

  $19K/yr contributions grow tax-free for disability expenses without disqualifying SSI/Medicaid.

  $5K–$15K/yr in preserved benefits + tax-free growth
• Disability & Special Needs

  Third-Party Special Needs Trust — Fund Without Disqualifying Benefits

  Parents/grandparents fund an SNT that pays supplemental needs without counting against SSI/Medicaid limits.

  Preserve SSI/Medicaid ($20K–$40K/yr) + supplemental funding
• Disability & Special Needs

  First-Party (d)(4)(A) SNT — Shelter Beneficiary's Own Assets

  42 U.S.C. §1396p(d)(4)(A) trust shelters a disabled person's OWN money (settlement, inheritance) from Medicaid.

  Preserve $20K–$100K+/yr in public benefits
• Disability & Special Needs

  ABLE-to-Work — Extra $15,650 Contribution for Working Beneficiaries

  Employed ABLE beneficiaries not participating in an employer retirement plan can add up to $15,650 on top of the $19K limit.

  Extra $15K+/yr tax-free growth capacity
• Disability & Special Needs

  §22 Credit for the Elderly or Disabled

  Non-refundable federal credit up to $1,125 for low/moderate-income permanently disabled or 65+ taxpayers.

  Up to $1,125/yr federal credit
• Disability & Special Needs

  PASS — Set Aside Income/Assets Toward a Work Goal (SSI)

  SSA Plan to Achieve Self-Support lets SSI recipients shelter income/assets used for training, equipment, business.

  Preserve $10K–$30K/yr SSI while building income
• Disability & Special Needs

  Ticket to Work — Try Work Without Losing Benefits

  SSDI/SSI recipients can test working via Trial Work Period + Extended Period of Eligibility — benefits continue if trial fails.

  Preserve $15K–$40K/yr safety net during work trial
• Disability & Special Needs

  Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) — Reduce Countable Earnings

  Out-of-pocket disability-related work costs (equipment, transportation, attendant) reduce SGA-countable earnings.

  Preserve $1,600+/mo SSDI while earning
• Disability & Special Needs

  Blind Work Expense (BWE) — Broader SGA Deduction for the Blind

  SSI recipients who are blind can deduct ANY work-related expense (not just impairment-related) from countable income.

  $300–$1,000/mo additional SSI preserved
• Disability & Special Needs

  Disabled Adult Child (DAC) Benefit on Parent's Record

  An adult disabled before age 22 draws Social Security on a parent's record when the parent retires, disabled, or dies.

  $500–$1,800/mo additional benefit + Medicare eligibility