Trump Accounts and benefit eligibility.

In July 2026, the federal government created Trump Accounts, which allowed families to create tax advantaged investment account for their children.

Beginning in October, the U.S. Department of the Treasury automatically signed up every child with a Social Security number for a Trump Account. However, parents must claim the account to allow for deposits. An open and claimed account for children born between January 2025 and December 2028 will automatically be funded with $1,000 from the Treasury Department.

Families of children with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or who may qualify for SSI as adults, should understand how these accounts could affect benefit eligibility. When a young adult turns 18, this account will become a “countable” resource – meaning it will count toward an individual’s max resource limit of $2,000 and could impact SSI eligibility.

These accounts are different from an ABLE account, which is a tax-advantaged savings and investment account designed to help eligible individuals with disabilities save for qualified disability expenses while protecting eligibility for certain benefits within applicable limits. Learn more about South Carolina’s Palmetto ABLE Savings Program: https://palmettoable.com/

Families may want to consult with a financial qualified benefits planner and/or a special needs attorney on how these accounts could impact their child or young adult. Here are a few questions you may want to consider: