Are you or your family member with a disability #ABLEtoSave? Now is the time to find out if an ABLE account should be a part of your plan for the future.

What is an ABLE account?

This new type of account enables some individuals with disabilities to save money for disability related expenses, without losing important federal benefits. ABLE accounts are similar to college savings plan accounts but are not the same as those accounts with different rules and restrictions.

Less than three years after the ABLE Act was signed into law, twenty-eight states have launched ABLE programs. According to the ABLE National Resource Center, over 10,000 accounts have been opened across the country and there are over $25 million in assets under management by ABLE programs.

Can I open an ABLE account and how do they work?

The Arc’s National Policy Matters on ABLE Accounts answers your questions about who is eligible to open an account, how the accounts work, what the contribution limits are, what types of expenses the funds can be used for, how the accounts impact federal, means-tested benefits, what happens to money remaining in the account, and more.

Eligible individuals can open only one ABLE account in their home state or another state program. Some, but not all, states allow nonresidents to open accounts in their programs. Visit the ABLE National Resource Center to learn about the different state programs.

An ABLE account can be an important part of a future plan. To learn more about creating a financial plan for the future, visit The Arc’s Center for Future Planning.