Does having an account affect my other benefits?

Generally, no. You can open and maintain a STABLE account while keeping your federal and state benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, HUD Assistance, Section 8, etc.). If you receive SSI, there is a $100,000 limit on the STABLE account balance before funds start counting against your $2,000 asset limit. As long as the money withdrawn is used for eligible expenses, it will not count towards the limit. If you are withdrawing money from your STABLE account for housing expenses, those expenses must be paid in the same month the money is withdrawn or the withdrawal will count against the $2,000 asset limit and may affect your eligibility for benefits.

All other benefits, like Section 8, are not affected by your STABLE account balance, regardless of the amount saved in the account.  However, withdrawals for non-qualified expenses may affect such benefits.are protected regardless of the amount saved in the account.