Can I use funds in my ABLE United account to pay for housing or rent?
Yes, you can use money from an account for housing expenses. If you’re receiving SSI, the money must be used within the month it was withdrawn so it does not affect your SSI eligibility.
How do I prove an eligible expense?
Keep your receipts and documentation for all eligible expenses in case the IRS wants to see them or, if receiving SSI, the Social Security Administration. We don’t need proof of your expenses, but you should have it for your records.
If you sign up for an ABLE Prepaid Card, you can review and manage your card activity from your online account. This will help keep track of your purchases, but you should still save your receipts.
Will having an ABLE United account make me ineligible for Medicaid?
No. Having an ABLE United account doesn’t count towards your eligibility for Medicaid, regardless of the amount saved in the account.
What happens if I withdraw money for a non-eligible expense?
If withdrawals from the account for the calendar year exceed the Qualified Disability Expenses, the individual may be subject to income tax, plus an additional 10% penalty. Consult a tax professional for additional guidance.
A withdrawal used for a non-eligible expense could affect your eligibility for SSI benefits, Medicaid or other means-tested benefits under federal or state programs. A withdrawal that is applied to a housing expense in any month after the month of the withdrawal could impact SSI benefits.
Are there any limits to how much I can contribute?
Annual Standard Contribution Limit
There’s a $19,000 yearly limit for standard contributions — this includes any gift contributions made to your account. Remember, there is a $5 contribution minimum.
ABLE to Work Contribution Limit
With ABLE to Work, if a Beneficiary is earning wages from employment, they can contribute an amount equal to the Beneficiary’s current year gross income up to $15,060 (for 2025) each year, in addition to the yearly contribution limit of $19,000.
If the Beneficiary or their employer is contributing to a defined contribution plan (i.e., 401(k)), annuity plan (403(b)), or deferred compensation plan (457(b)) this calendar year, the Beneficiary is not eligible to make ABLE to Work contributions.
Maximum Balance
There is a maximum balance of $500,000 for each account. Once your account reaches this limit, your account may continue to earn money, but you will not be able to make any additional contributions until your balance dips below this limit.
What investment options can I choose from?
You can decide to invest your money in a predesigned portfolio (Conservative, Moderate or Growth) or you can build your own with any combination of predesigned portfolios, a money market fund, U.S. or international stock funds, U.S. bond fund, or the FDIC savings fund.
How you decide to invest your money is up to you, but you should consider your risk tolerance and savings goal.
To learn more about each portfolio, visit Investment Options or talk to your financial adviser.
Who can contribute to my ABLE United account?
Friends, family and organizations can make contributions to your account to help you reach your savings goals. You can share a link to your Gifting Page or download the Gift Form to allow people to contribute directly to your account.
Gift contributions count toward your yearly contribution limit. So, if you’ve already reached the limit, your page will remain public, but no one can contribute again until next year.
Is there a minimum to open an ABLE United account?
In order to establish an account, a selection of an investment and/or saving option(s), a minimum contribution of at least $25 must be made. After that, you can add as little as $5 at any time.
Don’t forget: You’ll need bank login information, or account and routing numbers, to set up your online ABLE United account.
To open an account with a paper check, please use a paper Enrollment Form.
What is the FDIC Savings Option?
The FDIC Savings Option is an alternative to investing. Assets up to $250,000 are protected and insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Keep in mind that with a low level of risk, there’s also a lower level of returns. For more information on the savings and investment options, visit Investment Options.
Can I change my investment option?
Yes, but under IRS requirements, you are only allowed to change your invested funds allocation two times each year. You can change how new contributions are allocated at any time.
Any changes to invested funds will be applied to prior contributions and earnings. If you do make a change to your investment option, we’ll sell your units in the original option and use the proceeds to buy units in the new one. You can make a change online from your account or contact customer service for an Investment Option or Allocation Change Form.
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