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The Benefits of Using the Purple Debit Card for People with Disabilities

  • Writer: Purple
    Purple
  • Apr 4
  • 3 min read

Why Purple is built for the disability community—by the disability community


Introduction: A Better Way to Manage Money on Disability


If you receive SSI, SSDI, or other disability-related benefits, your debit card isn’t just a convenience—it’s how you access your life.


But many standard debit cards don’t account for the unique needs of people with disabilities. Whether it’s managing income limits, tracking benefit deposits, or staying organized for SSA reviews, most banks leave you on your own.


💳 That’s why we built Purple: a modern debit card and checking account designed specifically for people living on disability benefits.


In this article, we’ll break down:

✅ Why traditional debit cards often fall short

✅ The unique features Purple offers for disability-related financial needs

✅ How Purple helps you protect your benefits and plan ahead

✅ Why Purple is more than a bank—it’s a tool for independence


1. Get Paid Automatically—on Time and Early


Purple supports direct deposit for all major benefits, including:

  • SSI

  • SSDI

  • VA benefits

  • State disability programs

  • Work-related income


📅 Get paid up to 2 days early, depending on your deposit provider.


🧾 Automatically track deposits by source (SSA, employer, etc.).


💡 Many Purple members set up direct deposit directly from SSA with Form 1199A—or right through the SSA website.


2. Designed Around SSI and SSDI Rules


Managing money while on disability isn’t just about budgeting—it’s about staying eligible.

Purple helps with:

  • Spending alerts to prevent accidental over-saving

  • Income tracking to see if you're near the 2025 SSDI monthly limits:

    • $1,620/month (non-blind)

    • $2,700/month (blind)

  • Balance warnings to help SSI recipients avoid going over the $2,000 resource limit


💡 We built these tools to help you stay compliant and avoid unexpected benefit cuts or SSA overpayment notices.


3. Know Your EBT and Disability Balances in One Place


Purple links directly to your EBT card (via Forage) and your disability benefit account, so you can:

  • Check your EBT balance alongside your cash balance

  • Understand where your money is coming from and going

  • Track food and cash purchases easily


💡 No more calling 1-800 numbers or navigating government portals—just open the app.


4. Built-In Spending Controls to Help You Stay on Track


With Purple, you can:

  • Create spending categories (e.g., food, transportation, medical)

  • Set daily and monthly limits to avoid overspending

  • Turn on notifications for key purchases or when you're getting close to limits


✅ Helps with SSA recordkeeping

✅ Keeps monthly budgets disability-friendly

✅ Reduces stress and surprises


5. Tools to Help You Stay Organized for SSA


If you’ve ever been asked for:

  • Bank statements

  • Proof of rent

  • Benefit letters

  • Expense documentation


You know how stressful that can be.


📁 Purple makes it easy to:

  • Store important documents in one place

  • Tag expenses by category (medical, transportation, etc.)

  • Export timelines for SSA reviews or housing support


💡 Built-in document storage helps with SSI redeterminations and benefit proof.


6. Save Without Risking Your Benefits


Saving on SSI is tricky—but Purple helps you do it the right way.

💜 Use Purple in combination with an ABLE account, which allows:

  • Up to $19,000 in contributions per year (2025 limit)

  • Up to $15,060 more if you’re working (ABLE to Work, 2025 limit for continental U.S.)


💡 Purple can help you link to or set up an ABLE account and track your contributions.


7. Access to the Purple Companion (AI Financial Guide)


Need help understanding how a purchase might affect your benefits? Want to know how close you are to income limits?


The Purple Companion, built with AI, helps answer:

  • “Can I afford this and stay under the $2,000 limit?”

  • “Will this affect my SSI or SSDI?”

  • “How much do I have left to spend this month?”


🤖 It’s like having a benefits-savvy financial coach in your pocket.


8. More Than Just a Debit Card


With Purple, you get:

  • An FDIC-insured checking account

  • A debit card you can use online and in-store

  • No surprise fees

  • Access to new features, like ABLE savings, document storage, and Companion


💡 Plus: we’re always building new tools for the disability community, based on your feedback.


9. Conclusion: Why People on Disability Are Switching to Purple


If you’re tired of trying to manage your benefits with tools that weren’t made for you, you’re not alone.


Purple was created with and for people on disability benefits—because your finances deserve care, protection, and peace of mind.


✅ Stay compliant

✅ Get paid early

✅ Track your EBT, benefits, and income

✅ Protect your eligibility


💜 Sign up for Purple and get a card designed for your life.

 
 

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