Did you know that disability and poverty are closely related?

If you can’t work because of a disability, you may struggle to afford your basic living expenses. And when you can’t cover your everyday bills, you might make very difficult choices that nonetheless negatively affect your health and well-being: skip meals, delay going to the doctor, and split prescription medications in half.

Very quickly, this cycle can become challenging to break. And that’s one reason why adults of all ages who live with a disability also are likely to rely on crucial benefits programs like

Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

However, despite the extra costs of care that go along with having a disability, it’s not always easy to qualify for or remain in benefits programs like Medicaid and SNAP. That’s because many of these programs have strict income and asset limits in order to enroll.

If you—or someone you provide caregiving services for—is among nearly 44% of older adults living with a disability in the U.S.,¹ an ABLE account can help. Short for an Achieving a Better Life Experience, opening an ABLE account can help pay for expenses and still allow you to qualify for benefits programs.

Here’s how it works.

What is an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE Account?

An ABLE account is a tax-free savings account. You can use the money you deposit into it to pay for “qualified disability expenses” while staying enrolled in benefit programs.² These expenses cover needs such as:²

• Assistive devices, like screen readers for people with vision loss
• Education
• Financial management
• Health care
• Housing
• Job training
• Transportation

Who is eligible for ABLE accounts?

Older adults who want to open ABLE accounts must meet the following guidelines:³

• Have a disability that was diagnosed before turning 26 (note that as of January 1, 2026, this age will increase to 46)
• Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Have written proof from a doctor that the disability is serious enough to affect daily life

If you don't receive SSI or SSDI benefits, you can ask your doctor to sign a form (called a "disability certification") that confirms you were diagnosed with a disability before age 26.³ The ABLE National Resource Center offers disability certification forms online. Additionally, the Social Security Administration has a list of medical conditions (called "compassionate allowance conditions") that don’t require a doctor’s proof.³

How do I apply for an ABLE account?

You can apply for ABLE accounts through your state’s ABLE program website. ABLE accounts are available in most states and the District of Columbia except Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

You also don’t have to open an ABLE account in your home state. There are 31 states plus the District of Columbia that allow people to apply for ABLE accounts no matter where they live in order to find the account that suits them best.⁴ Use the ABLE National Resource Center's map to find your state’s ABLE website.

How much money can I put in an ABLE account?

You can have as much as $550,000 in your ABLE account depending on where it’s based,⁵ and as of 2025, you can place no more than $19,000 in your ABLE account annually.^2a If you’re still working but don’t have a retirement plan through your job, you can add more than $19,000 in a year. However, this amount can't exceed the previous year’s federal poverty level for a single-person household.⁵ In 2025, that level was $15,060 in the continental U.S., $18,810 in Alaska, and $17,310 in Hawaii.² 

In addition to how much money you can have in your account, each state’s ABLE account program will differ in the following ways:⁶

• If the plan comes with a prepaid or debit card
• The bank used to host your account
• If you can get tax credits or deductions for the money you put in
• If your state’s Medicaid agency can use your account to reimburse itself after your death

While ABLE accounts are meant to help you keep your benefits, it’s important to note that older adults who get SSI benefits will temporarily lose them once their ABLE account balance goes over $100,000.⁵ Once the balance goes back under $100,000, those benefits will be restored.

Can someone else manage my ABLE Account?

Yes. You can choose someone, such as a caregiver, to open and manage an ABLE account on your behalf. The Social Security Administration calls this person a representative payee. The payee is responsible for account management including:⁷

• Keeping track of how account money is spent
• Estimating your current and future expenses
• Making any investments on your behalf

Following all the guidelines for managing an ABLE account can be an overwhelming process. If you or your caregiver need help, you can use the Eldercare Locator to find free financial planning services.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Data Shows Over 70 Million U.S. Adults Reported Having a Disability. July 16, 2024. Found on the Internet at https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0716-Adult-disability.html

2. Social Security Administration. SPOTLIGHT ON ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE (ABLE) ACCOUNTS  -- 2024 Edition. Found on the Internet at https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-able.html

2a. ABLE National Resource Center. ABLE Account Contribution Limits (2025). Found on the internet at https://www.ablenrc.org/able-account-contribution-limits-2025/

3. ABLE National Resource Center. Frequently Asked Questions. Found on the Internet at https://www.ablenrc.org/frequently-asked-questions/#eligibility

4. ABLE National Resource Center. Choose the program that’s right for you! Found on the Internet at https://www.ablenrc.org/select-a-state-program/ 

5. ABLE National Resource Center. What is ABLE? Found on the Internet at https://www.ablenrc.org/employers/what-is-able/

6. ABLE National Resource Center. Washington. Found on the Internet at https://www.ablenrc.org/state-review/washington/

7. Social Security Administration. Payee and ABLE Accounts. Found on the Internet at https://www.ssa.gov/payee/able_accounts.htm