Money “Meaning” Freedom for People with Disabilities by Nathan Turner

I’m so lucky to have many friends who are great advocates; Nathan Turner is one of them. He’s an image of, singer/song writer Nina Simone’s song, To Be Young Gifted and Black! Nathan can discuss and explain what the Stable Account is and how to manage it.  This account is set up specifically for persons with disabilities.  I’ve heard a lot about it, but could never grasp all of its moving parts. Nathan breaks down this unique account on a personal level and in plain language for all to understand. Lend him your attention as he shares knowledge in his position as today’s guest blogger.

Shari

My name is Nathan Turner. I have been an advocate for people with disabilities for more than 16 years. I serve on many different committees. This includes serving on the Ohio Advocacy Task Force with my good friend Shari Cooper helping people with disabilities to be leaders. Another big part of my advocacy is talking with minority and disability groups about having long-term income and making important choices in their lives. This could mean saving money, having assets (things you own), or working at a job. In 2021, I joined the ABLE National Resource Center. I am part of a team of ABLE account owners or their family members. We are working with BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) groups to share the benefits of ABLE accounts. Talking about managing money or working is important because many people with disabilities have extra needs, live with a very low income, or do not work to keep public benefits or healthcare.

This is personal for me. I have cerebral palsy and need Medicaid to live in the community. I had a hard time figuring out how I would work and not lose Medicaid. These concerns led me to become one of the first people in the country to open an account with Ohio STABLE in 2016. ABLE accounts are very useful because they could help people with disabilities keep Medicaid with more than $2000 in the bank, possibly save money on taxes and plan for future needs. Ohio STABLE is the ABLE account for Ohio. Account owners can save up to $15,000 each year in an ABLE account and anyone can put money in the account. Some people who work can save extra money. Almost anyone with a disability acquired before age 26 can open an account. It is not necessary to receive Social Security benefits to open an account, but a letter from a doctor would be necessary.  In addition to protecting most assets from the limits of public benefit programs, having an ABLE account can help someone get a job, pay for basic living expenses, save for big purchases and unexpected needs, and invest in the stock market. Money in the ABLE account must be used on Qualified Disability Expenses. These are costs relating to a disability. The purchases also need to increase independence or quality of life. ABLE Funds can be used for basic living expenses, housing, food, education, transportation, employment, training, assistive technology, healthcare, or other services. In my work, I often talk about money meaning freedom for people with disabilities, especially in BIPOC communities. ABLE accounts offer freedom in knowing that anyone can withdraw funds for disability related expenses as needed. Account holders who work may be able to put in more from earnings.

I use my ABLE account to save for larger purchases. In 2019, I used my ABLE account to buy an accessible van and have saved several thousand dollars as a down payment for a home. For my longer-term career goals, I will continue to help others in my community and support them in understanding how to keep getting Medicaid, Social Security and other public benefits while working. I am considering training to be a certified work incentives counselor to help me with this work, and my ABLE account could help pay for that training.

For more information, the ABLE National Resource Center has many different helpful resources to help wherever you are on your ABLE journey. I am including the Roadmap to ABLE Enrollment and the Roadmap to Independence for those who do not have or recently opened an account. If you have more experience managing an account, please see the ABLE Decision Guide Series or any of the other content including newsletters, webinars, podcasts, comparison tools and personal stories of the BIPOC ABLE NRC Ambassadors. If you have specific questions about working, benefits or work incentives, please contact your service and support administrator, VR case manager, a certified work incentives planning counselor or the Social Security Administration Ticket to Work program for more information. Opening an ABLE account is very important to pay for unexpected expenses. They generally make it easier to live, learn and access our communities. ABLE accounts are a powerful tool to help millions of people with disabilities live life to their fullest potential while pursuing fulfilling careers. Thank you so much to Shari for allowing me to guest blog on the promise of ABLE accounts.