Over 1 Million Veterans Can Now Qualify for ABLE Accounts — Here's What to Know
Recent changes to federal law means many Veterans who were previously unable to access an ABLE account are now eligible. Read on to find out if that includes you or a loved one.
Table of Contents:
- What is an ABLE account?
- Who's eligible as a Veteran?
- What can ABLE funds be used for?
- How much can be contributed?
- How to open an account
- True Link-supported ABLE Accounts
Prior to 2026, many Veterans with disabilities didn't qualify for ABLE accounts because of a restrictive age limit that didn't account for the realities of military service. To be eligible for an ABLE account, your disability had to have begun before age 26, and many Veterans acquire disabilities in the line of duty after that age. As of January 1, 2026, the age limit for eligibility has been raised to 46, expanding access to ABLE accounts for a million more Veterans. If you're a Veteran with a service-connected or non-service-connected disability, or a loved one helping a Veteran manage their finances, here's what you need to know.
What is an ABLE account?
ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts designed for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to save and invest without putting essential benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid at risk.
At a high level, here's what you should know:
- An ABLE account is owned by the person with the disability
- Money invested grows tax-free and withdrawals for qualifying expenses are also tax-free
- Up to $100,000 in the account is exempt from SSI's $2,000 countable asset limit
- Anyone can contribute: family members, friends, or the account holder themselves
- Annual contribution limits vary by year, and some contribution limits differ by state (e.g., life balance caps vary by state plan, ABLE to Work contributions vary by state of residence)
Who's eligible as a Veteran?
As of January 1, 2026, you may be eligible if:
- Your disability onset occurred before age 46
- Your disability results in marked and severe functional limitations expected to last at least 12 months
For Veterans, it’s important to know that disability status for an ABLE account is determined using different criteria than the Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DoD). A specific VA disability rating isn't required — what matters is meeting the Social Security Administration's (SSA) definition of disability with an onset before age 46.
You don't need to be receiving benefits to qualify. If you aren’t already receiving SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can ask your doctor to sign a Disability Certification noting that your disability began before age 46. You keep that certification in your records and use it to self-certify when applying.
It is also worth knowing that eligibility is based on the onset of the disability, not the date of diagnosis, and your employment status and income have no impact on eligibility. Check out this resource to learn more about ABLE eligibility.
What can ABLE funds be used for?
An ABLE account can be used for a wide range of disability-related expenses. Qualified uses include but are not limited to:
- Healthcare — including co-pays, out-of-pocket costs, prescriptions, and health insurance premiums
- Housing — rent, utilities, and mortgage payments. (with a timing note: housing distributions should be spent in the same month they're withdrawn to avoid affecting SSI)
- Transportation — to medical appointments, work, or daily activities, including rideshares, taxis, and public transit
- Assistive technology and devices — including a phone or device that supports daily functioning
- Education and employment supports — job training, tuition, and vocational rehabilitation expenses
- Basic living expenses — food, personal care, and day-to-day necessities
Expenses don't need to be medically necessary, and purchases are eligible if they help a person with disabilities maintain or improve health, independence, or quality of life. You can keep up with upcoming changes here.
How much can be contributed?
The annual contribution limit is $20,000 for 2026. Anyone can contribute — family members, friends, employers — and there are no income limits on who can open an account.
Veterans who work may be eligible to contribute more. Under the ABLE-to-Work provision, accountholders who are employed and do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan may be able to contribute up to an additional $15,650 if they reside in the continental U.S.
How to open an account
ABLE programs are administered at the state level, but most are open to residents of any state. Currently, 46 states and the District of Columbia operate ABLE programs, with 32 accepting enrollees nationwide.
Here's how to get started:
- Verify eligibility - Confirm your disability onset occurred before age 46 and meets the Social Security Administration’s severity standard. If you're receiving VA compensation, a VA pension, SSI, or SSDI, you likely already meet the threshold, but it's worth confirming.
- Get documentation if needed - If you don't receive SSI or SSDI, ask your doctor to sign a Disability Certification noting that your disability began before age 46.
- Compare state plans - Visit ablenrc.org or abletoday.org to compare plans by fees, investment options, and features. You don't have to use your home state's plan.
- Gather documents you need - You'll typically need your Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address, email address, primary disability type, and information about any Social Security benefits you receive.
- Enroll online - Most plans allow you to complete the application entirely online.
True Link-supported ABLE Accounts
An ABLE account is where money can be saved and invested, and if you’re looking for a way to spend that money day to day, a True Link Visa® Prepaid Card is a great option. True Link works alongside an ABLE account giving families and supporters a simple way to cover essentials, set spending guardrails, and maintain visibility into spending without taking over.
As of January 2026, participants in these ABLE programs can sign up for a True Link Visa Card directly through their ABLE Account:
- ABLE United (Florida)
- Alabama ABLE Savings Plan
- CalABLE (California)
- Hawai'i ABLE
- Maryland ABLE
- Oregon ABLE
- ABLE for All (Oregon)
- STABLE (Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming)
- Washington State ABLE
Additionally, if you have an ABLE Account through another provider or state, you may still opt to use a True Link Visa Card to access and spend these funds by ordering a True Link Visa Card through our website and adding the ABLE account as a linked bank account to disburse funds from your ABLE Account.
The bottom line
Over a million Veterans are newly eligible for an account that lets them save, invest, and spend on disability-related needs, without jeopardizing the benefits they depend on. If you're a Veteran with a qualifying disability, or a family member or fiduciary supporting one, this is worth a closer look. The accounts are free to open, the tax advantages can be compelling, and the asset protection can matter a lot for anyone relying on means-tested benefits.
For more information, visit a resource such as https://www.abletoday.org/ or https://www.ablenrc.org/, or reach out to a VA benefits counselor or qualified financial advisor who works with Veterans.
How True Link Can Help You
True Link helps families and professionals manage and help protect the spending of people with complex needs — such as those living with disabilities, aging, or in recovery — while empowering them with more independence. Our True Link Visa Card and online platform helps make it easier to send money, set spending limits, track purchases, organize receipts, and get real-time alerts.
Learn more at https://www.truelinkfinancial.com/prepaid-card
This post is informational and not legal or financial advice. Rules and contribution limits may vary by state. For guidance on how an ABLE account fits into your loved one's specific situation, consult a benefits counselor, special needs planning attorney, or other qualified professional.
