Does having an account affect my other benefits?

You can keep your federal and state benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, HUD Assistance, Section 8, etc.) with an ABLE account. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there is a $100,000 limit before Social Security benefits are affected.  As long as the money withdrawn is used for eligible expenses, it won’t count towards the limit. 

Don’t forget that all housing expenses must be paid in the same month the money is withdrawn or be reported as income. All other benefits, like Section 8, are protected regardless of the amount saved in the account.