For years, one of the most frustrating limitations of ABLE accounts was the age requirement: to be eligible, your disability had to have begun before you turned 26. That rule excluded millions of people who became disabled later in life—through illness, injury, or military service. As of January 1, 2026, that's changed. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act expanded eligibility to include anyone whose disability began before age 46, opening the door to financial independence for millions more Americans.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What changed with the ABLE age expansion
- Who is now eligible under the new rules
- How to prove your disability began before age 46
- What ABLE accounts can do for your finances
- How to open an ABLE account
- Why this matters for people on SSI
What Changed on January 1, 2026
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, passed in 2014, created tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities. These accounts allow you to save money without jeopardizing your eligibility for means-tested benefits like SSI and Medicaid—a game-changer for people trapped by the $2,000 resource limit.
But the original law had a significant limitation: you could only open an ABLE account if your disability began before your 26th birthday. This cutoff excluded people who developed chronic illnesses in their 30s, veterans who became disabled during or after military service, adults who experienced disabling injuries later in life, and people with conditions that worsened over time and didn't meet the severity threshold until after 26.
The ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which took effect January 1, 2026, raised that age threshold from 26 to 46. If your disability began before your 46th birthday, you're now eligible for an ABLE account regardless of your current age.
This expansion is expected to make approximately 6 million additional Americans eligible for ABLE accounts.
Who Qualifies Under the New Rules
To be eligible for an ABLE account under the expanded rules, you must meet two criteria.
Age of onset: Your disability must have begun before you turned 46. It doesn't matter how old you are now—what matters is when the disability started.
Severity of disability: You must have a significant disability. You automatically meet this requirement if you currently receive SSI or SSDI benefits based on disability. If you don't receive these benefits, you can still qualify by having a licensed physician certify that you have a physical or mental impairment that results in "marked and severe functional limitations" and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
Note that you don't need to be receiving benefits to open an ABLE account. Your employment status and income don't affect eligibility either. The only questions are when your disability began and whether it's severe enough to meet the criteria.
Proving Your Disability Began Before Age 46
If you already receive SSI or SSDI based on a disability that began before age 46, you're automatically eligible. Your benefit status serves as proof.
If you're not receiving SSI or SSDI—perhaps because your income is too high, you haven't applied, or you receive only retirement benefits—you'll need a disability certification from a licensed physician. This certification should include your diagnosis, a statement that you have marked and severe functional limitations, confirmation that these limitations have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months, and documentation that the onset of your disability occurred before age 46.
When you open an ABLE account, you typically certify that you meet the eligibility requirements rather than submitting proof upfront. However, you should keep your documentation on file in case it's ever requested.
If your condition began years ago but you don't have records from that time, work with your current physician to document the nature of your condition and its likely onset date based on medical history.
What ABLE Accounts Can Do for Your Finances
ABLE accounts solve one of the biggest financial problems facing people with disabilities: the inability to save money without losing benefits.
Savings without losing SSI: The first $100,000 in your ABLE account doesn't count toward SSI's $2,000 resource limit. You can save for emergencies, big purchases, or future needs without watching your bank balance like a hawk at the end of every month.
Tax-advantaged growth: Money in your ABLE account can be invested, and any growth is tax-free as long as you use the funds for qualified disability expenses.
Flexible spending: Qualified disability expenses are broadly defined and include housing (rent, mortgage, utilities), transportation (car payments, gas, public transit, rideshare), healthcare (insurance premiums, copays, therapies, medications), education and employment support, assistive technology and personal care, food and daily living expenses, and legal and financial services.
Contributions from anyone: You can contribute to your own ABLE account, and so can family members, friends, or anyone else who wants to help. The total annual contribution limit is $20,000 in 2026.
Beneficiary control: Unlike a special needs trust, you control your own ABLE account. You decide how to invest the money and when to spend it, providing financial independence many people with disabilities haven't had access to.
How to Open an ABLE Account
ABLE programs are administered by states, but you don't have to use your own state's program. Many states allow non-residents to open accounts, so you can shop around for the best features and lowest fees.
Step 1: Research state programs. Visit the ABLE National Resource Center at ablenrc.org to compare programs. Look at factors like fees, investment options, debit card availability, and any state tax benefits for residents.
Step 2: Choose a program. Select the ABLE program that best fits your needs. Consider whether you want a checking-style account for regular spending, investment options for long-term growth, or both.
Step 3: Gather your information. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, contact information, and information about your disability (either your SSI/SSDI status or physician certification).
Step 4: Complete the application. Most ABLE programs let you apply entirely online. The process typically takes 15-30 minutes.
Step 5: Fund your account. Once approved, you can add money via bank transfer, check, or payroll deduction. Set up recurring contributions if you want to build savings automatically.
Why This Matters for People on SSI
If you receive SSI, the ABLE age expansion is particularly significant.
The $2,000 resource limit has been one of the most punishing aspects of the SSI program. It forces you to spend down any savings, prevents you from building an emergency fund, and means a single unexpected expense can become a crisis.
ABLE accounts provide an escape from this trap. With an ABLE account, you can accumulate savings for emergencies without losing SSI. You can accept monetary gifts from family without jeopardizing your benefits. You can set aside money for a car, security deposit, or other big expense. You can build financial stability that the SSI program otherwise makes impossible.
If you became disabled between ages 26 and 45, you've been locked out of this option until now. The 2026 age expansion finally gives you the same opportunity that people who became disabled earlier have had.
An ABLE account works best alongside a checking account designed for your needs. Purple helps you manage your day-to-day finances while staying compliant with SSI rules, and an ABLE account lets you save beyond the resource limit for bigger goals.