Did you know that Veterans who are disabled can use a federally legislated tax-advantaged investment account to save for short- and long-term needs. Funds in these accounts are not counted as an asset in the evaluation for most federal benefits. These accounts for individuals with disabilities were established thanks to the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and are called ABLE accounts. The Attainable® Savings Plan is the Massachusetts ABLE program.

Some of the most frequent examples of federal benefits that Veterans use are:

• HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
• VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation
• VA Pension
• Service
• SSI
• Medicaid
• SNAP
• FAFSA

All of these programs can be reduced if a Veteran’s available assets are in excess of their defined limits, unless they are placed within an ABLE account like the Attainable® Savings Plan.

The definition of disability is very different for the VA’s “Schedule for Rating Disabilities” or “individual unemployability” designations, versus the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is what ABLE accounts like the Attainable® Savings Plan use. Veterans should look at the details to discover what they are eligible for.

For the Attainable® Savings Plan, a person needs to have a “marked and severe” disability, which can be determined through receiving SSI, SSDI, self-certifying with a diagnosis as having limitations to day-to-day life, or meeting one of the Compassionate Allowances conditions from the Social Security Administration. These conditions include not just physical disability, but also mental health challenges like the results of CPTSD or long-term illness recovery. The SSA will look at both service-connected and non-service-connected conditions when making their determination.

In 2025, the onset, not diagnosis, of the condition must have occurred before the individual turned 26 years old to qualify for an ABLE account like the Attainable® Savings Plan. However, due to the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, that age limitation is being changed to age 46 on January 1, 2026, at which point the number of Veterans eligible for ABLE is expected to double.

Funds in an Attainable® Savings Plan account can be used for what are referred to as “Qualified Disability Expenses” (QDEs). This is a far-reaching list that includes:

• Education: Tuition, books, supplies, tutoring
• Housing: Rent, mortgage, real property taxes, home modifications
• Transportation: Vehicle purchases, modifications, repairs, bus passes, subway passes, rideshares
• Health and Wellness: Medical expenses, assistive technology, dental and vision care, wheelchairs, medication
• Employment Training and Support: Job coaching, work-appropriate clothing, tools
• Assistive Technology: Computers, software, adaptive equipment, Assistive and Augmentative Communication, screen readers
• Personal Support Services: Home health aides, personal care attendants
• Financial Management: Legal fees, financial planning services
• Funeral and Burial Expenses: Funeral costs, burial plots

Attainable® Savings Plan accounts can receive direct deposits from any source, including employment, friends, family, or conserved benefits.

Contributions to ABLE accounts are made with post-tax dollars and any growth in the investments is federal income tax-free. This allows Veterans to save for their needs and care without adding to their tax liability. 

Combining Attainable® with other VA Services can maximize a Veteran’s available assistance. Several of the QDEs that the Attainable® Savings Plan covers are also covered by the VA. With strategic use of these programs, a Veteran can save money and supplement the benefits received for their service. The Attainable® Savings Plan can allow a Veteran to privately pay for immediate needs that will likely be covered upon approval later and be used for unexpected costs that are necessary to their wellbeing.

The Attainable® Savings Plan does not replace SSI, VA Pension, Medicaid, or any other program. Rather, the Attainable® Savings Plan acts as a supplement to them, enhancing their offerings to help Veterans be able to avoid debt and poverty. The program is a fantastic tool to assist Veterans with achieving their financial goals, and a place where individuals with disabilities can safely save for their current and future needs.

To open an Attainable® Savings Plan account, click the button below.

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