Does having an account affect my other benefits?

Generally, no. You can open and maintain a CalABLE account while keeping your federal and state benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, HUD Assistance, Section 8, etc.). If you receive SSI, there is a $100,000 limit on the CalABLE account balance before funds start counting against your $2,000 asset limit. Once your account exceeds $100,000 your SSI would be suspended and your eligibility for California state and local means-tested programs could be at risk.

As long as the money withdrawn is used for eligible expenses, it will not count towards the limit. If you are withdrawing money from your CalABLE account for housing expenses, those expenses must be paid in the same month the money is withdrawn or the withdrawal will count against the $2,000 asset limit and may affect your eligibility for benefits.

All other benefits, like Section 8, are not affected by your CalABLE account balance, regardless of the amount saved in the account. However, withdrawals for non-qualified expenses may affect such benefits and may have tax implications.