October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Ohio has a program that could help people with disabilities save their hard-earned cash without risking their benefits. The Ohio Treasurer's Office offers the STABLE Account and allows people with disabilities to save and invest money without losing their eligibility for programs like Medicaid or supplemental security income. It is not like a checking or savings account, but more like a 401K or college savings account and allows people who qualify to grow their money and to save for long-term disability expenses. It only takes a few minutes to sign up for, and it could be a game changer for people involved.

October 1, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague: COLUMBUS – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a perfect time to highlight the themes of independence and inclusion in the workplace. Through its STABLE Account program, the Ohio Treasurer’s office is proud to help thousands of individuals thrive in the workforce while being able to save and invest their earnings. A STABLE account is a specialized savings and investment account for people living with disabilities that allows them to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain means-tested benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). STABLE accountholders can save up to $18,000 annually without losing federal assistance, and they can save an additional $14,580 each year if they’re employed. Earnings on STABLE accounts grow tax-free if they are spent on qualified expenses, which include housing, transportation, living expenses, healthcare, assistive technology, and more.