When you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), there’s no limit on the amount of money you can save or where you can save it. That’s good news since it means you can open up any type of savings account, including a high-yield savings account (HYSA).

However, for people with Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the rules are not the same. If you receive either of these benefits, you can still have HYSAs or other savings accounts, but you can only deposit up to $2,000. If you want to save more, you’ll need to look into an alternative account.

Read more: The 10 best high-yield savings accounts available today

For SSDI, there are no limits on the amount of money you can save or the value of your assets. There are, however, limits on your income. For 2025, the maximum income you can earn without losing your SSDI benefit is just $1,620 a month (for non-blind individuals), or $19,440 a year.

Another limitation could apply to you if you’re on Medicaid or SSI while receiving SSDI. If this is the case, you’ll have to follow each program’s guidelines for income and assets in order to keep getting the benefit.

SSI is a needs-based program, so the rules are particularly strict. Namely, there are low limits on certain assets you own, also known as “resources.” For resources you own or keep in savings, the maximum combined value can’t pass $2,000 (or $3,000 for couples) in any given month, or else you lose your SSI benefit for the month. According to the Social Security Administration, the resources included in this rule are:

The good news is you can save up to $100,000 or more while receiving SSI, as long as you place the money in an “excluded” account, or an account that’s not used for your resource calculation. This includes Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts and Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) accounts.

As an added benefit, the money you contribute to a PASS account will be excluded from your SSI income calculation.

Yes, an SSDI recipient can have an HYSA and can deposit an unlimited amount. You’ll just want to avoid depositing more than $250,000 to any single account, since that’s the maximum covered by FDIC insurance at each bank. If you want to save more, consider spreading the money across more than one HYSA at other banks.

Read more: What is the FDIC, and how does it work?

Things get a bit trickier if you have SSI and/or Medicare along with your SSDI benefit. If you do, you’ll have to make sure you follow the resource rules that apply. For SSI, that means you can’t save more than $2,000 in an HYSA. For Medicaid, the maximum amount you can deposit is also $2,000 in most states.

If you have SSI and want to save beyond the $2,000 limit, it’s definitely possible. You just have to make sure you use the right account for the intended purpose. Here are some of your options:

• ABLE account: Since 2014, ABLE accounts have allowed people on SSI to save up to $100,000 for certain disability-related expenses — including housing, education, and transportation — without impacting their benefits. For 2025, the annual contribution limit is $19,000, or $34,060 if you’re not using an employer-sponsored retirement plan. As an added benefit, other people can contribute money to your account. You can search for an ABLE account online.

• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): These accounts help you save for specific independence goals. For example, you can deposit money to cover the cost of business equipment, childcare, or assistive technology. To set up a PASS account, submit an application online or at your local Social Security office.

• Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): These are trust-like bank accounts you can use to save for school expenses, buying a home, or starting a business. Some of these programs offer matching funds, which means your deposit can be matched by a non-profit organization or the federal government.

• Medicare Savings Programs: Your state might have as many as four savings programs available to help you plan for Medicare Part A and B costs. Income limits vary by state, so check your state’s guidelines to see if you might qualify.

Read more: 7 ways to save money on a tight budget