The BasicsWhy Assets MatterABLE AccountsPlans to Achieve Self-SupportTax Credits and ToolsTrust FundsNext Steps

Building Your Assets and Wealth

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    updated October 3, 2025
    Building Your Assets and Wealth

    The Basics

    Many people with disabilities have low income and limited assets. It can feel hard to change this if you get public benefits, because programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) have rules about saving money, and there are common myths that you can't get benefits and save for your future.

    However, there are steps you can take to start building your assets:

    • ABLE accounts and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) can help you save money or make investments without risking your public benefits.
    • Special Needs Trusts are another way to build up assets without losing disability benefits.
    • Tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), can help you make the most of your income. You can get free help filling out your taxes to make sure that you get the tax credits you deserve.

    Try one or more of these steps, so that you can save money and become more self-sufficient over the long-term.

    ABLE accounts help you build more assets

    ABLE accounts let people who have disabilities (that began before they turned 26) keep money in a special tax-advantaged account. They can also allow you to save money without losing your public benefits:

    Note: Starting on January 1, 2026, people whose disability began before they turned 46 can open an ABLE account.

    Learn more about ABLE accounts.

    Learn more

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

    SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

    Disability-Based Medicaid

    There are several ways to qualify for Medicaid if you have a disability.

    Getting Past the Myths

    There are many myths about people losing their benefits if they work that are just not true.