ABLE Accounts & Financial Literacy with Heather Benavidez

Did you know that individuals on SSI (Social Security Income) can only have up to $2,000 dollars in their checking account or their medical benefits may be taken away? On the first episode of 2022, my guest, Heather Benavidez shares what the ABLE program is and how that can help individuals with disabilities become more financially independent.

Heather Benavidez has been a proud public servant for nineteen years, serving in both local and state government. Her service began in the judiciary where she held many positions, culminating in the development and management of the Foreclosure Settlement Facilitation Pilot Program, helping New Mexicans face the loss of their homes. As Chief of Staff, her service within the State Treasurer’s Office has been enriched by advocacy work, including providing financial literacy education to youth transitioning out of the foster care system, creating and managing ABLE accounts for individuals living with disabilities, and assisting with the development of retirement savings account program for employees of small businesses and the self-employed. She is a former municipal judge and magistrate judge and is on the DWI Planning Council and Juvenile Justice Board of Valencia County. She is also the Chair of the 100% Community Housing Taskforce, working to help those facing homelessness find shelter. She has a B.A. and Master of Public Administration, emphasis on public finance, from the University of New Mexico. She and her husband reside in Albuquerque and share a daughter, a freshman at Arizona State University.

Want to sign up for an ABLE account? Sign up here https://ablenewmexico.com/ or if you are outside New Mexico, https://www.stableaccount.com/

Have questions about ABLE? You can contact Heather at Heather.Benavidez@state.nm.us or 505.955.1136

Follow me on social media @offthecrutchpod or e-mail me at offthecrutch@gmail.com