A publication of the West Virginia Treasury | Summer 2019
Achieving a Better Life Experience
People with disabilities can now save and invest without losing benefits.
West Virginia Achieving a Better Life Experience program, better known as WVABLE, allows qualified individuals with disabilities to save and invest without jeopardizing their eligibility for federal benefits such as SSI or Medicaid.  WVABLE accounts can be spent on qualified disability expenses at any time. Account set up and enrollment is all online at www.wvable.com. 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Releases Guidance on
ABLE Accounts
We are pleased to announce that on April 26, 2019, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development released guidance to Public Housing Directors, Managers and Administrators regarding the “Treatment of ABLE accounts in HUD-Assisted Programs.” As federally mandated by the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, HUD will disregard the entire value of an individual’s ABLE account for the purpose of determining eligibility and continued occupancy. This means ABLE accounts will be excluded from the household’s assets and distributions from an ABLE account will not be counted as income. You may view the complete guidance letter here .
The Luke Stone IllumiNATION Fund Accepting Applications for $1,000 Merit Award 
The Luke Stone IllumiNATION Fund (LSIF), a newly formed WV nonprofit organization founded by Matt and Rebecca Stone, is dedicated to shedding light on the amazing attributes of individuals with disabilities.
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The organization is currently accepting applications to select the first ever recipient of the LSIF Merit Award of $1,000 which will be awarded as a deposit into the winner’s WVABLE account. To be eligible, the individual must be 21 years of age or younger, currently have or be willing to open a WVABLE account, and complete the application, which includes essay questions on how the individual enhances the community. The recipient will embody the characteristics inspired by Luke Stone. The award will be based upon merit of achievement earned through perseverance and overcoming adversity.
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Application deadline is October 31, 2019. Request an application or more information by messaging the Luke Stone Illumination Fund on Facebook.
In Case You Missed It: WVABLE State Legislative Enhancements
WVABLE Account Contributions now Qualify for State Tax Deduction
Beginning with your 2019 tax return, WVABLE contributions are now eligible for a state tax deduction. If you are a West Virginia taxpayer, you may deduct all of the year’s contributions to a WVABLE account from your federal adjusted gross income on your West Virginia personal income tax return. WVABLE tax deductions work the same as the SMART529 college savings program tax deductions.

No 529A Claim for Medicaid Repayment Post Death for WVABLE Accounts
Although this has been the WV Department of Health and Human Resources operating policy, it is now state law that Medicaid, known as the Bureau for Medical Services, will not seek repayment from a WVABLE account after death to recover medical expenses paid on behalf of the individual. This legislation provides peace of mind, especially to parents of children, that their WVABLE account is safe from claim if receiving Medicaid services.
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Please note that the above legislation is only applicable to WVABLE accounts. If you have an ABLE account from another state's plan, then the legislation listed above is not applicable to your plan.
Account Information Available on the WVABLE.com Website
If you are considering opening a WVABLE account, valuable information can be found on the www.wvable.com website on how the program works. Information about benefits, eligibility and qualified expenses are explained in detail, as well as information on options to save and invest. The Plan Disclosure is a comprehensive document that outlines how STABLE accounts work, including information about the Plan and account fees. In addition, the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section includes answers to the most common questions about the program. And, of course, if you cannot find what you are looking for on the website, please call 304-340-5050 and we will be glad to assist.
Education and Outreach
WVABLE is available to present to organizations or groups in person throughout the state. We can also be on site to assist with online enrollment at the conclusion of our presentation. If you would like to schedule a presentation or any type of outreach event, please contact 304-340-5050 or wvable@wvsto.com .
WVABLE Myth Busters
Continued from our Spring Newsletter
Myth #4 – An individual has to be receiving public assistance such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid to qualify for a WVABLE account. 
Fact – One does NOT have to be eligible or receiving public assistance such as SSI or Medicaid to be eligible for a WVABLE account. If a person developed their disability by the age of 26 and has a diagnosis of an impairment that causes “marked and severe functional limitations,” then they are also eligible.

Myth # 5 –To qualify for a WVABLE account, the disability developed by the age of 26 must be a physical disability.
Fact – A disability may be related to mental health, developmental, intellectual, traumatic brain injury, as well as a physical disability to qualify for a WVABLE account.

Myth #6 – An individual with a disability must be under the age of 26 to have a WVABLE account.
Fact – An individual of any age can open a WVABLE account, as long as the onset of the disability was before the individual’s 26 th birthday.


Stay tuned for more myth busters in our next WVABLE newsletter. 
If you have additional questions, please contact 304-340-5050 or wvable@wvsto.com.