An ABLE account lets a person with a disability save and invest money without jeopardizing important public benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.
ABLE account or ABLE trust?
People often search for an “ABLE trust,” but an ABLE account is not a trust. It is a tax-advantaged savings account, similar in some ways to a 529 college savings plan. It can be a simple, flexible tool, and it often works best alongside a special needs trust as part of a larger plan.
Why ABLE accounts matter
Programs like SSI and Medicaid allow people to keep very little in savings. An ABLE account gives a person with a disability a way to build savings for housing, education, transportation, health care, and other everyday needs, without losing the benefits they rely on. Family and friends can contribute too.
More Americans now qualify
As of January 1, 2026, a change in federal law substantially raised the age by which a person’s disability must have begun to qualify. Many adults who were previously ineligible, including veterans and people diagnosed in mid-life, may now be able to open an account.
Where planning comes in
An ABLE account is one piece of a plan, not the whole plan. Families often need to decide:
- what belongs in an ABLE account and what belongs in a trust;
- how parents and grandparents should leave an inheritance without disrupting benefits;
- who will help manage things if the account owner cannot; and
- what happens to the funds in the future.
Specific legal requirements, and why they matter
ABLE accounts come with specific legal rules and important implications for benefits, taxes, and estate planning. Coordinating an ABLE account with trusts, wills, and benefits eligibility takes care, and mistakes can be costly.
Our attorneys are experienced at preparing special needs and disability plans to the correct legal specifications and tailoring them to fit each family’s needs.
Contact us today for a consultation
Jackson+Jackson helps families plan for loved ones with disabilities. Call us to schedule a consultation at any of our offices in New Orleans, Birmingham, Mobile, or Pensacola.
This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different; please consult an attorney about yours.