Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities

This grant is funded under the Projects of National Significance (PNS) authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. Its purpose is to increase awareness, access, and use of ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts so that individuals with disabilities have the resources needed to better support their health and economic well-being and improve their economic security and mobility. Since 2015, the ABLE Act has authorized states and territories to establish tax-advantaged programs ABLE accounts that allow individuals with disabilities to save and invest money. These accounts may be used for qualified disability expenses, including education, food, housing, transportation, employment training, assistive technology, and health care. Beginning in January 2026, ABLE eligibility requirements were expanded to include individuals with an age of disability onset up to 46, increased from the previous limit of 26. As a result, an estimated 14 million people will be eligible for ABLE accounts, including approximately 1.2 million veterans. This expansion presents a significant opportunity to broaden outreach to individuals receiving Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as individuals with disabilities who are not enrolled in disability benefit programs, to help overcome barriers to achieving good health and meaningful employment. To advance these goals, the grant will support strategies such as coordinated marketing efforts at the national, state, and community levels; population-specific approaches implemented through partnerships with ACL grantees and community stakeholders; and a strengthened systems approach at the state level. ACL recognizes that ABLE-related supports can play a critical role in increasing economic security and mobility for individuals with disabilities.