CalABLE Goes Live December 18, 2018! December 17th, 2018

What is CalABLE?
CalABLE
is a savings and investment plan offered by the state of California to individuals with disabilities. CalABLE Goes Live December 18, 2018! The CalABLE Program will officially launch on December 18, 2018. As of that date, CalABLE’s enrollment website at www.CalABLE.ca.gov will be accepting new enrollees. Instructions on how to enroll will also be easily located on the website.
Eligible individuals, family, friends and employers can contribute up to $15,000 a year without affecting the account beneficiary's public disability benefits. CalABLE account owners who work can contribute even more to their accounts. Best of all, earnings on qualified withdrawals from a CalABLE account are federal and California state tax-free.

KEY FACTS:

  • Earnings in a CalABLE account receive federal and California state tax-free treatment.

  • Withdrawals for qualified expenses are also tax-free.

  • Up to $15,000 a year can be deposited into a CalABLE account without affecting the beneficiary's public disability benefits.

  • Account owners/beneficiaries who are employed can contribute additional amounts above the $15,000 annual limit. For example, in 2018, eligible working individuals living in the 48 contiguous United States can contribute an amount equal to their current year gross income up to an additional $12,060.

  • If you receive SSI benefits, you can save as much as $100,000 in your account with no effect on federal and California state benefits.

  • California residents with a CalABLE account are protected from both creditors and repayment of medical assistance. Medi-Cal is prohibited from filing a claim to recover any payments after a beneficiary has died, giving individuals the full opportunity to leave a legacy for loved ones. Families can transfer money from a 529 College Savings Plan to an ABLE account (provided the transfer does not exceed the $15,000 maximum annual contribution).

  • An annual fee of $37 per year is deducted in monthly installments from each CalABLE account. There are also low fees on the underlying investment options plus a state administrative fee. Additional fees apply if you choose not to use certain online features, such as receiving paper statements. CalABLE is California's ABLE Plan, but any eligible individual in the U.S. may open a CalABLE account. Withdraw money when needed.



HOW TO ACCESS?
Just log into your account and request a withdrawal amount. The withdrawal can be sent to your bank electronically or you can request a paper check for a small fee.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Individuals with a disability that occurred before age 26 are eligible to open a CalABLE account.
If you meet this age of onset requirement, and receive benefits under SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and/or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), you are automatically eligible to open a CalABLE account.
If you are not a recipient of SSI and/or SSDI, but still meet the age of onset requirement, you could still be eligible if you meet Social Security’s definition and criteria regarding significant functional limitations and receive a letter of certification from a licensed physician.
While CalABLE is California’s ABLE Plan, any eligible individual in the country can open an account.
 
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