The Basics

A tax-free Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account lets people with disabilities save for their future without affecting their benefits. Their family and friends are also able to put money into their ABLE account.

If you have a disability that meets Social Security’s standards (there are separate disability standards for children or youth, for adults, and for blindness) and your disability began before you turned 26, you may be able to save and invest up to $19,000 each year and, if you have a job, up to $15,060 more, for a total of $34,060 each year. This money won't affect Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and most other benefits, as long as you meet all the other benefits rules. Note: Starting on January 1, 2026, people whose disability began before they turned 46 can open an ABLE account.

An ABLE account lets you:

• Build up savings without affecting your benefits: Up to $100,000 in your ABLE account won’t affect your SSI benefits. And no matter how much you have in your ABLE account, the money in it won’t affect Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and most other programs with a resource limit.
• Get money from family and friends without affecting your benefits: Whether you earn the money yourself or it’s a gift from others, up to $19,000 each year can be added to your ABLE account without any changes in your SSI or other benefits.
• Have a job, and put up to an extra $15,060 of your earnings each year into your ABLE account (on top of the regular $19,000 that is allowed). Learn more about how much you can deposit into your ABLE account.
• Spend the money saved in your ABLE account on many types of daily expenses, not just medical costs: There are rules about how to spend the money, but there’s also a lot of flexibility.
• Enjoy tax advantages:
  • The growth of investments in an ABLE account isn't taxed, so your wealth grows faster.
  • You may qualify for the federal Saver’s Credit. However, when you take money out of the account, you must spend it on qualified disability-related expenses, or it will be taxed as income and there may be a penalty. Learn more about the federal tax benefits of an ABLE account.

ABLE programs are set up by each state. Georgia's ABLE account program is Georgia STABLE. You must be a resident of Georgia to qualify for a Georgia STABLE account.

Some states' ABLE program are open to customers nationwide, and if you qualify, you do not have to live in that state to open an ABLE account there. However, you can only open one ABLE account, so you need to decide which state offers the ABLE program that works best for you. The good news is that you can switch your ABLE account from one state program to another. You do not have to stick with the first state program you choose. Learn more about why you may want to open an ABLE account.