Individuals with disabilities encounter barriers and challenges that many others don’t. As a result of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, states were allowed to create savings programs for individuals with disabilities, giving Hoosiers with disabilities the chance to open savings and investment accounts without affecting eligibility for assistance programs, such as Medicaid or SSI. The funds in these accounts can be used to pay for qualified disability expenses that improve the individual’s health, wellness or quality of life.
INvestABLE Indiana has set out to knock down financial barriers for individuals with disabilities, opening the door to financial stability and freedom.
INvestABLE Benefits
An account with INvestABLE is beneficial on many fronts. From tax advantages to ease of use and everything in between, INvestABLE is committed to ensuring that all qualifying individuals get the most out of their dollars. Benefits include, but are not limited to:
–Special tax advantages.
 Earnings on investments are tax-deferred and withdrawals from accounts are tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses.
–No impact on current benefits.
You will continue to be eligible for Medicaid, no matter your account balance, plus balances under $100,000 are excluded from the SSI resource limit.
-User-friendly. 
INvestABLE accounts can be opened with as little as $25 and can be accessed by phone or online through a PC, tablet, or phone. PLUS, the Ugift® feature lets anyone contribute money to your account.
Qualifications
Now come the big questions: Do I qualify? What counts as a qualified disability expense? INvestABLE spells it out simply.
You can open an account for yourself or an authorized person can open an account on your behalf if:
-Your disability was present before the age of 26, and
-You experience blindness as determined by the Social Security Act, or you are entitled to receive SSI or SSDI benefits or have a similarly severe disability with a written diagnosis from a licensed physician.
Qualified disability expenses include, but are not limited to:
-Education
-Health and wellness
-Housing
-Transportation
-Legal fees
-Financial management
-Employment training and support
-Assistive technology
-Personal support services
-Funeral and burial expenses
-Basic living expenses
Please note that account withdrawals for non-qualified expenses will be taxed at the account owner’s tax rate and subject to a 10% federal tax penalty and applicable state taxes. If you’re unsure about whether your withdrawal qualifies or not, INvestABLE staff can answer any of your questions and help you make informed decisions.
Big Picture
The motivation behind the nation-wide ABLE Act and Indiana’s own INvestABLE is that folks with disabilities should be able to save as much as possible to be able to afford their daily and medical expenses, without losing access to public assistance programs. INvestABLE understands that when all individuals are on the same financial playing field while maintaining access to quality care, our communities as a whole thrive.
INvestABLE also knows that the thought of saving and investing can be very intimidating. But with simple, easy-to-understand options, individuals with disabilities can feel confident in their choices. Offering a wide range of investment and savings options for every goal and comfort level, Hoosiers can breathe a little easier and trust in their financial security with INvestABLE Indiana.
For more information about INvestABLE Indiana (the “Member Plan”), call (888) 609-3457, or visit in.savewithable.com to obtain Plan Disclosure Documents, which include investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about the Member Plan. Please read and consider the Plan Disclosure Documents carefully before investing.
Before investing in any ABLE program, you should consider whether your home state offers an ABLE program that provides its taxpayers with favorable state tax or other benefits that are only available through investment in the home state’s ABLE program.
The Member Plan is sponsored by the state of Indiana and administered by Indiana ABLE Authority. The Member Plan is intended to be a qualified ABLE plan offered through the National ABLE Alliance. Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC, the Program Manager, and its affiliates, have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including investment advisory, recordkeeping and administrative services.
