Purple vs Traditional Banks: The Definitive Disability Banking Showdown
- Purple
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
If you receive SSI, SSDI, VA benefits, or manage money for someone who does, you know that traditional banks rarely account for the rules that protect your benefits — especially the $2,000 SSI resource limit. Disability-focused fintech like Purple is built from the ground up to help you bank safely, track resources, and save without risking eligibility.
That matters because tools like ABLE accounts are still underused. Even though there are more than $2 billion saved in ABLE programs, only about 3% of eligible people have opened one. The gap between what’s available and what’s actually being used is an opportunity to improve financial security for millions.
In this guide, we’ll compare Purple with traditional banks — plus other disability-friendly options — and show you what to look for: criteria, key features, ABLE integrations, fees, accessibility, and how to keep SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits safe.
Who disability banking is for — and what a disability bank account includes
A disability-friendly bank account benefits SSI recipients, SSDI recipients, ABLE account users, veterans receiving VA compensation or pension, caregivers, guardians, and representative payees.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a means-tested federal program for people with disabilities and limited income/resources, with a $2,000 resource limit for individuals.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) provides benefits based on prior work credits and has no asset limit. VA programs have their own eligibility and payment rules. Account design needs to reflect these differences.
A good disability bank account should include:
Alerts and resource tracking to avoid exceeding SSI’s $2,000 limit.
ABLE account links for safe savings.
Accessible app design for all users.
Fee protections to preserve benefits.
Documentation tools for SSA reviews.
What makes a bank account disability-friendly
Resource-limit safeguards — Track countable resources automatically against SSI’s $2,000 limit with alerts and clear guidance on what counts.
ABLE integration — Move extra funds into an ABLE account to protect eligibility and tag transactions as Qualified Disability Expenses (QDEs).
Direct deposit optimization — Post SSI, SSDI, and VA payments quickly, with early access when possible.
Spend controls and documentation — Block certain merchants, set budgets, and store receipts for SSA redeterminations.
Accessibility-first design — WCAG-aligned apps and websites with screen reader support and cognitive-accessible flows.
Fee protections — No overdraft, low/no monthly fees, and transparent terms to avoid surprise charges.
Best online banks for disability support — comparison criteria
When comparing disability-friendly accounts, look for:
SSI resource tracking and alerts.
ABLE transfers/linking and QDE tagging.
Early direct deposit for benefits.
Fee structure with no overdraft or inactivity fees.
Accessibility standards (WCAG, screen reader labels).
Representative payee/guardian features.
Receipt/document vault.
Cash deposit options.
Support staff trained in disability benefits.
Fintech options for disability bank accounts
Purpose-built neobanks — Like Purple, designed around SSA rules, resource tracking, and ABLE integration.
State ABLE debit cards — Spend directly from an ABLE account for QDEs.
General neobanks/prepaid accounts — May offer low fees but often lack resource-limit safeguards.
ABLE adoption is growing — just over 200,000 accounts with an average balance over $12,000 — but awareness is low. On January 1, 2026, eligibility expands to those with disability onset before age 46, adding around 6 million potential users, including roughly 1 million disabled veterans.
Purple vs traditional banks
Traditional banks design accounts for the general population. Purple builds every feature around SSI, SSDI, and VA benefit rules — from real-time resource tracking to ABLE workflows.
Purple offers:
SSI resource-limit tracking.
ABLE integration and QDE tagging.
Early direct deposit for SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits.
Receipt and document storage.
Representative payee and guardian controls.
Clear, transparent fee policies.
Accessibility aligned with WCAG standards.
Most traditional banks and prepaid accounts do not include these disability-specific protections, and state ABLE cards typically focus only on QDE spending.
What is the best bank for disability accounts
The best bank for disability accounts depends on your benefits and needs.
If you receive SSI and are near the $2,000 resource limit, prioritize accounts with resource tracking and ABLE integration.
If you only receive SSDI, focus on fee transparency and accessibility, but consider documentation tools and spend controls.
If you have larger savings or receive an inheritance, explore Special Needs Trusts as an alternative or complement to ABLE accounts.
With SSI, ABLE integration is key. Balances up to $100,000 in an ABLE account are excluded from SSI’s resource limit, helping you save while keeping benefits intact.
Key features that protect SSI, SSDI, and VA benefits
Balance alerts and resource-limit tracking — Keep a running total of countable resources and get alerts before crossing key thresholds (e.g., $1,600, $1,900). This helps prevent accidental overages that could suspend benefits.
Direct deposit timing awareness — SSI, SSDI, and VA deposits follow set schedules, but timing can vary based on weekends, holidays, or agency changes. Early access is possible when the payment file is received early.
Spending controls and documentation tools — Merchant and category blocks, per-category budgets, and automatic receipt storage make it easier to prepare for SSA reviews or ABLE QDE audits.
ABLE account integration and safe saving
Saving is allowed with ABLE accounts — up to $100,000 in ABLE savings is excluded from SSI’s resource limit. The best setup is to keep your checking balance under $2,000 and transfer surplus funds to ABLE. This ensures compliance while making funds available for QDEs like housing, education, transportation, or assistive technology.
Contribution limits are tied to the federal gift tax exclusion, with additional contributions allowed under ABLE to Work for employed beneficiaries. Keep in mind that exceeding $100,000 in an ABLE account may suspend SSI, though Medicaid usually continues.
Fees, accessibility, and support
Disability-friendly accounts should minimize fees like overdraft, monthly maintenance, inactivity, out-of-network ATM, and paper statement charges. Even small, repeated fees can erode a fixed monthly benefit.
Accessibility matters just as much — WCAG 2.1 AA-aligned apps, screen reader compatibility, large type, high contrast, predictable navigation, and reduced visual clutter can make banking more usable for everyone.
For representative payees and guardians, look for accounts with shared-access roles, transaction notes, downloadable reports, and support teams trained in SSA and ABLE rules.
Get started with Purple today
If you want a bank account designed for the unique needs of people with disabilities, Purple combines accessibility, benefit protection, and modern fintech tools into one easy-to-use platform. From resource-limit tracking to ABLE integration, it’s built to help you protect your benefits and save for the future.