# Purple - Complete Site Documentation for LLMs

> Benefits-aware banking for people with disabilities. Purple helps individuals and families manage money without putting SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid at risk.

Purple provides financial tools, educational resources, and banking products designed specifically for people navigating disability benefits in the United States.

---

## About Purple

Purple is a financial technology company focused on serving people with disabilities and their caregivers. Our mission is to help individuals manage their finances without jeopardizing their eligibility for critical benefits like SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid.

Website: https://www.withpurple.com

### Social Media
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/withpurple/
- X/Twitter: https://x.com/trypurple
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplefinancial

---

## Products

### Purple Checking (/checking)
A checking account designed specifically for SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid recipients. Features include:
- Built-in guardrails to help protect benefits eligibility
- Resource limit monitoring for SSI's $2,000 limit
- Early direct deposit (up to 4 days early for government benefits)
- No minimum balance requirements
- FDIC insured

### Purple Plus (/plus)
Enhanced features for caregivers and family members managing finances for loved ones with disabilities:
- Shared account access with customizable permissions
- Spending insights and transaction monitoring
- Budget tools designed for benefits management

### For Caregivers (/caregivers)
Tools and resources for family members and caregivers helping manage finances for someone receiving disability benefits.

### For Organizations (/organizations)
Solutions for professional fiduciaries and organizations:
- Representative Payees (/organizations/rep-payees)
- Care Facilities (/organizations/care-facilities)
- Disability Service Providers (/organizations/disability-providers)

---

## Free Disability Benefits Calculators (/tools)

Interactive calculators to help understand and estimate disability benefits. All calculators are free and updated for 2026.

### SSI Benefit Estimator (/tools/ssi-income-estimator)
Estimate monthly SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments based on income and living situation.

**How SSI income affects benefits:**
- First $20 of any income is excluded (general income exclusion)
- First $65 of earned income is excluded
- After exclusions, SSI is reduced by $1 for every $2 earned
- Unearned income reduces SSI dollar-for-dollar after the $20 exclusion

**2026 SSI amounts:**
- Maximum federal benefit (individual): $967/month
- Maximum federal benefit (couple): $1,450/month
- Some states add supplemental payments

### SSDI Benefit Estimator (/tools/ssdi-benefit-estimator)
Calculate SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits using the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula.

**How SSDI is calculated:**
- Based on Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)
- PIA formula applies different percentages to portions of AIME
- 2026 bend points: $1,226 and $7,391

**2026 SSDI amounts:**
- Maximum benefit: $4,018/month
- Average benefit: approximately $1,500/month

### SGA Calculator (/tools/sga-calculator)
Check if earnings exceed the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold for disability benefits.

**2026 SGA limits:**
- Non-blind: $1,690/month
- Blind: $2,830/month

**Deductions that reduce countable earnings:**
- Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
- Subsidies and special conditions
- Unincurred business expenses (self-employment)

### Trial Work Period Calculator (/tools/trial-work-period-calculator)
Track SSDI trial work period months and see how many remain.

**Trial Work Period rules:**
- 2026 threshold: $1,160/month (any month earning above this counts)
- 9 trial work months within a rolling 60-month period
- Full SSDI benefits continue during trial work period
- After TWP, Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE) begins (36 months)

### Overpayment Repayment Calculator (/tools/overpayment-calculator)
Calculate how long it will take to repay an SSI or SSDI overpayment.

**Overpayment options:**
- Standard withholding: 10% of monthly benefit (SSI) or full benefit (SSDI)
- Request lower payment if hardship
- Request waiver (Form SSA-632) if not at fault and hardship

### Resource Exclusion Checker (/tools/resource-exclusion-checker)
See which assets count toward SSI's resource limit.

**2026 SSI resource limits:**
- Individual: $2,000
- Couple: $3,000

**Excluded resources (do not count):**
- Primary residence (any value)
- One vehicle (any value)
- Household goods and personal effects
- Life insurance with face value under $1,500
- Burial plots and up to $1,500 in burial funds
- ABLE account balances (up to $100,000)
- Property essential to self-support

**Counted resources:**
- Cash and bank accounts
- Stocks, bonds, investments
- Additional vehicles
- Real estate (other than primary home)
- Life insurance over $1,500 face value

### PASS Calculator (/tools/pass-calculator)
Estimate how much can be set aside under a Plan to Achieve Self-Support.

**PASS plan basics:**
- Allows setting aside income/resources for a work goal
- Set-aside amounts don't count against SSI
- Can fund education, training, starting a business
- Must be approved by Social Security
- Requires specific work goal and timeline

### Benefits Timeline Estimator (/tools/benefits-timeline-estimator)
Estimate how long disability applications and appeals take.

**Typical timelines:**
- Initial application: 3-6 months
- Reconsideration: 3-5 months
- ALJ hearing: 12-18+ months
- Appeals Council: 6-12 months
- Federal court: 12-24 months

---

## Educational Guides (/guides)

In-depth guides on disability benefits topics. All guides are written in plain language and regularly updated.

### SSI vs SSDI Guide (/guides/ssi-ssdi)
Comprehensive comparison of the two main federal disability programs.

**SSI (Supplemental Security Income):**
- Needs-based program
- No work history required
- Resource limit: $2,000 individual, $3,000 couple
- Income limits apply
- Usually includes Medicaid automatically

**SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance):**
- Insurance-based program
- Requires sufficient work credits
- No resource or income limits for eligibility
- Benefit based on earnings history
- Medicare after 24 months

### Representative Payee Guide (/guides/rep-payee)
Information about managing benefits for someone else.

**Rep payee responsibilities:**
- Use benefits for beneficiary's needs
- Keep records of spending
- Report changes to Social Security
- File annual accounting form (SSA-6230)

### SSI Asset Limits Guide (/guides/ssi-asset-limits)
Detailed explanation of SSI's resource rules and what counts.

### ABLE Accounts Guide (/guides/able-accounts)
Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities.

**ABLE account basics:**
- Disability onset before age 26 (as of 2026)
- 2026 contribution limit: $19,000/year
- Balances up to $100,000 excluded from SSI resource limit
- Tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified expenses
- Can be used for housing, education, transportation, health, assistive technology

### Medicaid vs Medicare Guide (/guides/medicaid-vs-medicare)
Comparison of these two health coverage programs.

**Medicaid:**
- Needs-based
- State-administered
- Covers long-term care
- Usually automatic with SSI

**Medicare:**
- Age or disability-based
- Federal program
- Begins after 24 months on SSDI
- Has premiums, deductibles, copays

### Medicaid Waivers (HCBS) Guide (/guides/medicaid-waivers)
Home and community-based services explained.

**Waiver services may include:**
- Personal care assistance
- Respite care
- Supported employment
- Day programs
- Home modifications
- Assistive technology

### Work Incentives Guide (/guides/work-incentives)
Programs that allow working while keeping benefits.

**Key work incentives:**
- Trial Work Period (SSDI)
- Extended Period of Eligibility (SSDI)
- Expedited Reinstatement (SSDI)
- Earned Income Exclusion (SSI)
- Student Earned Income Exclusion (SSI)
- PASS - Plan to Achieve Self-Support (SSI)
- IRWE - Impairment-Related Work Expenses (both)
- Blind Work Expenses (SSI)

### Overpayments and Reporting Guide (/guides/overpayments-and-reporting)
How to handle overpayments and what to report to Social Security.

**Required reporting:**
- Changes in income
- Changes in living situation
- Changes in resources
- Marriage, divorce, death
- Address changes
- Return to work

---

## Benefits Hub (/benefits)

State-by-state directory of disability benefits information. Each state page includes:
- State SSI supplement information
- Medicaid waiver programs
- ABLE account options
- Vocational rehabilitation contacts
- State-specific resources

Browse all 50 states plus DC at /benefits

---

## Key 2026 Numbers Quick Reference

**SSI:**
- Maximum federal benefit (individual): $967/month
- Maximum federal benefit (couple): $1,450/month
- Resource limit (individual): $2,000
- Resource limit (couple): $3,000
- General income exclusion: $20/month
- Earned income exclusion: $65/month

**SSDI:**
- Maximum benefit: $4,018/month
- SGA limit (non-blind): $1,690/month
- SGA limit (blind): $2,830/month
- Trial Work Period threshold: $1,160/month
- Trial Work Period months: 9 within 60 months

**ABLE Accounts:**
- Annual contribution limit: $19,000
- SSI resource exclusion: up to $100,000
- Employed ABLE contribution: additional $14,580 (if no employer retirement plan)

**Medicare:**
- Part B premium: approximately $185/month
- Part A deductible: approximately $1,676

---

## Blog (/blog)

Purple publishes educational articles about disability benefits, financial planning, and related topics. The blog covers:
- Benefits updates and policy changes
- How-to guides for common situations
- Work incentives and employment
- ABLE accounts and savings strategies
- Medicaid and Medicare topics
- Caregiver resources

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?
SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. SSDI is an insurance program based on work history. You can receive both if you qualify for each.

### How much can I earn without losing SSI?
SSI has an earned income exclusion. After excluding the first $65, SSI is reduced by $1 for every $2 earned. You can earn approximately $1,900/month before SSI reaches $0 (varies by state supplement).

### How much can I earn without losing SSDI?
During the Trial Work Period, you can earn unlimited amounts for 9 months. After that, earning above SGA ($1,690/month in 2026) may stop benefits, though you have the Extended Period of Eligibility for 36 months.

### What counts toward SSI's $2,000 resource limit?
Cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and most financial assets count. Your home, one vehicle, household goods, and ABLE account balances (up to $100,000) do not count.

### Can I work while receiving disability benefits?
Yes. Both SSI and SSDI have work incentives designed to help you try working without immediately losing benefits. See our Work Incentives Guide for details.

### What is an ABLE account?
ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for people whose disability began before age 26. Balances up to $100,000 don't count toward SSI's resource limit, and earnings grow tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses.

### How long does it take to get disability benefits?
Initial applications typically take 3-6 months. If denied, appeals can take much longer. The hearing stage averages 12-18 months. See our Benefits Timeline Estimator for stage-by-stage estimates.

---

## Technical Information

- Website: https://www.withpurple.com
- All tools are free and require no account
- Calculators are for educational purposes only
- Information is updated annually (or when laws change)
- Site supports both light and dark mode