This One Mistake Could Disqualify You From Opening an ABLE Account

ABLE accounts are one of the most powerful tools available to people with disabilities. They let you save up to $100,000 without losing SSI, spend on everyday needs, and grow your money tax-free.

But there’s one small eligibility rule that trips people up — and if you miss it, you could lose your chance entirely.

What Is an ABLE Account?

ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. It’s a type of savings account created by Congress that allows eligible people with disabilities to:

• Save and invest money without affecting SSI or Medicaid

• Use the funds for qualified disability expenses — like rent, groceries, education, or assistive tech

• Control their money directly, without a trustee

• Avoid taxes on any growth, like a Roth IRA

It’s a powerful alternative to Special Needs Trusts, especially for people who want more financial independence.

The Mistake That Can Disqualify You

To open an ABLE account, you must meet this one key rule:

Your disability must have started before you turned 26.

It doesn’t matter when you were diagnosed, or when you started receiving benefits — what matters is the onset of disability, not the paperwork.

If you became disabled at age 27 or older, you’re not eligible (yet). This one detail catches a lot of people off guard — and it’s not always easy to prove.

What About Proof?

You don’t always need to submit medical records, but the ABLE program you choose may ask for:

• Proof of SSI or SSDI

• A signed certification of disability

• Documentation showing the condition started before age 26

If your records don’t line up, you could be rejected — even if you meet every other requirement.

The Rules May Change Soon

There’s good news: the age of onset limit is scheduled to rise to 46 starting in 2026 under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act.

That means millions more people will qualify — including those with adult-onset conditions like MS, brain injuries, or mental illness. But until then, the age 26 rule still applies.

How Purple Helps

Purple is building a smarter way to access ABLE accounts — without the paperwork headaches.

With Purple, you’ll be able to:

• Check your eligibility for an ABLE account

• Open and manage your account in the app

• Route funds automatically to stay below the SSI asset limit

• Track disability-related expenses for SSA reporting

• Receive Social Security disability benefits, which may arrive up to 4 days early¹

• Get other direct deposits, like paychecks, which may arrive up to 2 days early¹

Get started today at withpurple.com

Purple is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by OMB Bank, Member FDIC. The Purple Mastercard® Debit Card is issued by OMB Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license from Mastercard.

¹ Early access is not guaranteed, depends on payer timing, and standard processing times may apply. We generally make funds available on the day we receive the payment file, which may be up to 4 days early for government benefits like SSI or SSDI, and up to 2 days early for other deposits. Early access is available at no additional cost.