42 U.S.C. §1396p(d)(4)(A) trust shelters a disabled person's OWN money (settlement, inheritance) from Medicaid.
When a disabled person under 65 receives a personal injury settlement, inheritance, or SSI back-pay, a (d)(4)(A) First-Party SNT preserves Medicaid/SSI eligibility. Assets held in trust are non-countable; trustee makes discretionary distributions for supplemental needs. Downside: Medicaid PAYBACK at death (state recovers up to amount of benefits paid). Pooled Trust ((d)(4)(C)) is a lower-cost alternative for smaller balances.
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$19K/yr contributions grow tax-free for disability expenses without disqualifying SSI/Medicaid.
Parents/grandparents fund an SNT that pays supplemental needs without counting against SSI/Medicaid limits.
Employed ABLE beneficiaries not participating in an employer retirement plan can add up to $15,650 on top of the $19K limit.
Non-refundable federal credit up to $1,125 for low/moderate-income permanently disabled or 65+ taxpayers.
SSA Plan to Achieve Self-Support lets SSI recipients shelter income/assets used for training, equipment, business.
SSDI/SSI recipients can test working via Trial Work Period + Extended Period of Eligibility — benefits continue if trial fails.
Out-of-pocket disability-related work costs (equipment, transportation, attendant) reduce SGA-countable earnings.
SSI recipients who are blind can deduct ANY work-related expense (not just impairment-related) from countable income.